Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships set to deliver $20M boost for Gold Coast businesses

A senior politician has dubbed the Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships “busier than the Commonwealth Games” as local businesses prepare for a week of bumper trade.

A SENIOR politician has dubbed the Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships “busier than the Commonwealth Games” as local businesses get ready for a week of bumper trade.

While the city was a ghost town during the Games in April, cafe and restaurant owners are expecting a massive week ahead as surf lifesavers dominate the Glitter Strip.

Organisers have predicted millions of dollars will be injected into the local economy by the time the event wraps up on Saturday.

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And they’re off! Australian SLS championships at North Burleigh. Pic Mike Batterham

“All up we have about 6000 competitors and with them come 90,000-odd spectators which generally adds up to injecting about $20 million into the local economy,” Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships referee Wayne Druery said.

Lola’s Cafe and Lola’s Fish and Chip shop are among the businesses rostering on extra staff to deal with the expected rush.

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“We have put on about 13 staff members — on a normal Monday, during a not so busy time we would have about four,” owner Cheryl Bench said.

“There will be about four or five working throughout the day at the fish and chip store.

“We are expecting it to be extremely busy … a lot of coffee, but it all just depends on the weather.”

Restaurants and cafes were already packed at Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads during the weekend as thousands lapped up local hospitality in between events.

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Owner Cheryl Bench (left) with staff member Bee Selvida. Pic Mike Batterham

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Broadbeach Alliance CEO Jan McCormick said business was booming on the back of the event.

“It’s wonderful, absolutely wonderful for the precinct,” she said.

“Most are staying locally therefore they’re shopping at supermarkets plus they’re also eating out at the restaurants, drinking in the bars, and as the tournament progresses and people are no longer competing they hang around Broadbeach and have a good time.

“It’s a great boost leading into Easter.”

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Owner Cheryl Bench with Barista Mo Kersner. Pic Mike Batterham

Ms McCormick said for each single competitor there were often a number of supporters who were also spending money in the city.

“Any young person competing is travelling with mum or dad and generally the siblings come as well,” she said.

It was a similar story at Burleigh as local businesses scored a much-needed surge in trade during the weekend’s juniors events.

Burleigh MP Michael Hart told the Bulletin the event was a bigger drawcard than the Commonwealth Games.

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Returning from the surf. Pic Mike Batterham

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“The government went too far in trying to scare people away during the Commonwealth Games and that did mean that locals left town and visitors didn’t come in to parts of the Gold Coast because they were worried about the traffic on the M1, the accommodation, things like that,” he said,

“It (the championships) will definitely be busier than the Commonwealth Games.”

“They’re all looking for a place to have a feed each night and a cup of coffee in the morning — it’s very good for Burleigh, it’s humming.”

The competition will now move from North Burleigh to Broadbeach where it will continue for the rest of the week.