Australia Fair Shopping Centre Gold Coast: 40 years since Scarborough Fair first proposed

Australia Fair has been one of the Gold Coast’s biggest shopping centres for more than 30 years. But few people know the real story of how it was built and its origins as Scarborough Fair. SEE THE RARE PHOTOS

AUSTRALIA Fair has been one of the Gold Coast’s biggest shopping centres for more than 30 years.

It immediately proved to be the death-knell of Sundale and has been a major hub for the Southport community.

Just this week it was in the news with its owners planning a long-overdue revamp of Australia Fair Metro, the complex’s western section.

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While today it is best-known as part of Chinatown, many newer Gold Coasters may not realise it was actually the first part of the retail hub to be built.

The Gold Coast got its first taste of Scarborough Fair Shopping World 40 years ago when developer Pat Zarro’s Witan Group and his partners Australia Fixed Trusts filed plans with the Gold Coast City Council.

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Downtown Southport of the early 1980s was a very different places from today.

Since 1936 the site of the future shopping centre had been home to the south coast Dairy Company and its famous art deco-style factory, as well as the Coastal Co-operative Trading Society.

Across the road at the future site of Australia Fair was an Ampol service station.

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Southport, Scarborough Street, early 1980s

Council approved Scarborough Fair in September 1981 and construction began soon after following the demolition of the dairy factory.

By the day of its opening in March 1983 it was the first major shopping centre to open on the Coast since Pacific Fair six years earlier.

Anchored by NSW-based supermarket chain Franklins, Scarborough Fair had 42 shops including Treasurway and a series of specialty retailers.

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Commerce Minister Bill Gunn attended the opening ceremony on March 21, 1983 and praised the investment in the region.

Southport Chamber of Commerce boss Bert Pepper admitted he was delighted by the new centre.

“It is the first decent change we have had in our trading community for many years,” he said.

Shortly after the complex’s completion, Mr Zarrow announced $30 million plans for a giant stage two of the centre on the eastern side of Scarborough Street.

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Southport looked very different in the mid-1980s.

Construction soon began after Witan Investments succeeded in the mammoth task of amalgamating 24 separate titles.

Work was completed within 18 months and the new Scarborough Fair opened, complete with major tenants Kmart and Coles New World.

Stage two had more than 112 shops.

Its opening was a grand affair attended by political leaders and celebrities alike.

The guest of honour was soap opera actor Ian Rawlings, then best-known for his starring role in Sons and Daughters.

Mr Rawlings’ appearance at the centre was just days after his wedding to model Lee Dowling at Southport Yacht Club.

Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen and Deputy Mayor Sir Jack Egerton jointly declared the centre open.

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Sir Joh after making a handprint in the cement.

Sir John marked the occasion “in true Hollywood style” by making a handprint in a wet cement block which was to be the first of many such impressions in a planned “courtyard of fame” which was to feature “top-line international and Australian entertainers” who visited the Coast to perform.

Scarborough Fair’s opening was a major event on the Gold Coast

“The Gold Coast is a tremendous place and this is a tremendous shopping complex,” Sir Joh said.

“It never ceases to amaze me just how far this part of Queensland keeps expanding.”

In 1988 a massive $300 million expansion of the centre was announced along with a rebranding to create the modern Australia Fair complex

Originally published as Australia Fair Shopping Centre Gold Coast: 40 years since Scarborough Fair first proposed