Surfers traders fear job losses, shutdown in SPA shake-up

VETERAN traders in Surfers Paradise are warning Gold Coast councillors against tinkering with the precinct’s marketing body fearing it will cost jobs and livelihoods.

VETERAN traders in Surfers Paradise are warning Gold Coast councillors against tinkering with the precinct’s marketing body fearing it will cost jobs and livelihoods.

Cafe operator Arthur De Snoo and The Avenue co-owner Michael Russo are among Surfers Paradise business owners aghast at the council’s review of Surfers Paradise Alliance.

Council is also running the ruler over Broadbeach Alliance and Connecting Southern Gold Coast, funded through council via special levies from traders in their respective areas, the Bulletin revealed earlier this month.

Sunny aerial view of Surfers Paradise looking inland on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

At the time the review was revealed, events tourism and governance committee chair Bob La Castra said it was about “whether we keep on going down the track we’re going or changing the model”.

WHY TOURISM ALLIANCES ARE ABOUT TO BE ABOLISHED

But Mr De Snoo, who has operated Surfers Paradise Beach Cafe for a decade and Latitude 28 Restaurant and Bar in Cavill Avenue feared SPA would be scrapped for a united Coast-wide body.

“As a Surfers Paradise trader I struggle to comprehend why councillors would consider replacing an organisation that continually delivers not only for its members but Gold Coast locals and tourists.

Councillor Robert 'Bob' La Castra . Photo: Jerad Williams

“It also concerns me greatly council seems to not appreciate how much work SPA does beyond organising events.

“Their ability to focus at a local level means they play a crucial role for traders when it comes to issues as diverse as policing and safety to logistical matters concerning the likes of Schoolies and GC600,” he said.

Mr De Snoo and Mr Russo both told the Bulletin if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, when it came to SPA.

“It is totally ludicrous to move from a successful model to one that is unknown ... poor council decisions will put not only our businesses but also a large number of jobs at risk,” Mr De Snoo said.

Arthur De Snoo in front of his Surfers Paradise venue Latitude 28 Restaurant and Bar on Cavill Mall. Picture: Hannah Gill

“The various alliances are funded by a levy from precinct traders such as myself.

“ ... while any combined promotional body would continue to focus its events strategy on the city’s main precincts, it would draw its funding from ratepayers and businesses across the Gold Coast,” Mr De Snoo said.

“I can only imagine the uproar that will unfold when people realise they are funding events a long way from their own back yards.”

Mr Russo, who has owned The Avenue for more than 30 years, said SPA’s year-round events calendar boosted the day and night economy.

“I wonder if in its apparent rush to change thing council has stopped to consider the huge amount of work SPA does beside organising events.”

Surfers Paradise State MP John-Paul Langbroek said it was good to review models but there was no point changing SPA if it was found to be effective for traders.

“The last thing Mayor Tate will want to do is stop something that’s working well.