Surfer Mick Fanning on Gold Coast Council plans for Snapper Rocks, Rainbow Bay

A Gold Coast surfing legend has weighed into controversy over massive changes planned for his home break, saying locals ‘just don’t want to ruin it’.

Mick Fanning has joined Rainbow Bay locals in questioning proposed changes to Rainbow Bay and Snapper Rocks. File picture: Annette Dew

Gold Coast surfing legend Mick Fanning has weighed into the controversy over massive changes planned for his home break, saying locals are “really concerned” and “we just don’t want to ruin it”.

The Gold Coast City Council last week unveiled a contentious draft masterplan for Rainbow Bay and Snapper Rocks, including removing beachside carparks at the world-renowned surf break.

The scheme also involves knocking down, relocating and rebuilding the 63-year-old Rainbow Bay Surf Club and pedestrianising Snapper Rocks Rd in front of it.

Fanning, a former triple world champion who won multiple world tour events at Snapper, said locals were “really worried” about the loss of carparks and how long the area would be shut down during construction.

He said people were already struggling to get a carpark in the area and had been “for a long time”.

“The carparking situation is the biggest thing,” he said.

“Just from talking to people around the town, that’s what has them really concerned. It’s a big one. I think people are just really worried about that.”

Asked about community concerns that Rainbow Bay risked losing its character and charm with a shiny new surf club, Fanning said the club had needed a facelift “for a long time”.

He said Rainbow Bay was already undergoing a massive transformation with new high-rise developments and was “pretty modern at the moment”.

“As long as there’s still carparks and people still get to enjoy the beach … I haven’t dived into it (the plan) too deep yet,” he said.

“That thing (the surf) club has been there for a long, long time and I know there were plans to rejuvenate it. They’ve done small renos. At the end of the day, it’s up to the surf club people to see what amenities they will get out of it (the master plan).

“Snapper’s a beautiful place – the biggest thing is we just don’t want to ruin it. Leave the beach how it is. We just don’t want to ruin the pristine views and also the beach that we have here.”

Originally published as Surfer Mick Fanning on Gold Coast Council plans for Snapper Rocks, Rainbow Bay