Flashback feature: Look back 20 years to the proposal for Couran Cove and other developments

GOOD things take time and that is especially true when it comes to building the Gold Coast. Look back 20 years when some of today’s big developments were announced.

1997: Artist impressions of the then-proposed Couran Cove Resort.

AQUA topped the charts with Barbie Girl, the Super League war was raging and the world lost the people’s princess with the death of Diana.

Closer to home, 1997 proved to be a watershed year for development with major projects of today -- Couran Cove, Harbour Town, Westfield Helensvale, Runaway Bay Super Sports Centre and the future of the Sovereign Islands -- becoming reality.

Initial artist impression of Harbour Town

Couran Cove

1997: Ron Clarke at the Couran Cove site.

THE brainchild of Olympian and future Mayor Ron Clarke, Couran Cove was pitched as an environmentally friendly resort on South Stradbroke Island.

Mr Clarke, the chief executive of the resort, was pivotal in marketing of the project, pitching it to locals as joining “a living legend in his natural environment”.

“We have designed the Couran Cove development to integrate harmoniously with the natural beauty of the Island environment,” he said at the time.

A home in the resort was on the market for $149,000.

Twenty years later some holdings are worth upward of $500,000.

Harbour Town

Aaron Hechtman, GM of Lewis Land Shopping Centre Development. with Harbour Town artist impression.

LEWIS Land announced on February 4, 1997 it would start its $100 million Harbour Town build at Biggera Waters.

First mooted in 1987 in the final days of the Bjelke-Petersen Government, the project was at the centre of a bitter public brawl over territorial planning rights.

Lewis Land announced the centre would have 14 cinemas, a Franklins Big Fresh supermarket and US-style retail shopping complex.

It was expected to have 30,000sq m of retail space.

Westfield Helensvale

Helensvale’s Westfield site was an empty site until 2004 when construction finally began. Pictured is (l to r) Westfield Chief Operating Officer Robert Jordan, Helensvale resident Phil Gray and Deputy Premier Terry Mackenroth and Helensvale Resident Astra Gray.

THE Helensvale shopping centre is now the biggest complex of its kind on the northern Gold Coast but 20 years ago it was in the hands of city planners as councillors weighed up whether to give it the tick of approval.

Westfield announced plans for a 59,000sq m precinct on vacant land next to the railway station.

2003: Local member for Gaven Robert Poole and local councillor Peter Young at the Westfield site. Pic: Glenn Hampson.

Mayor Ray Stevens opposed to the project, arguing Coomera was the site identified in the town plan as the most suitable location for a shopping centre.

Two decades on, Helensvale is one of the biggest shopping centres in the city while Coomera remains undeveloped.

Sovereign Islands

Sovereign Islands circa 1999.

IT’S now one of the Gold Coast’s most exclusive suburbs and features the city’s biggest collection of mega-mansions.

But in 1997 the Sovereign Islands were mostly empty green fields interrupted by a series of roads and the occasional palm tree.

Just 40 houses stood on the first stage of the project, which was marketed as a place for “exclusivity and serenity”.

Sovereign Islands today. Picture Mike Batterham

In February 1997 the Lewis Land group launched a major advertising blitz to sell more of the man-made sites.

“Connected to the mainland by only one bridge, our constantly manned security gate ensures these islands can only be reached by their fortunate residents and those they welcome.”

Sites were being sold for $279,000. Today they are worth millions.

Runaway Bay Super Sports Centre

2000 G/C Former Olympian Ron Clarke at the newly opened Runaway Bay centre. Pic: Adam Ward.

ALTHOUGH busy with Couran Cove, Ron Clarke already was planning his next venture.

On February 12, 1997 he announced plans for a $4 million sports centre at Runaway Bay.

It would have a swimming pool and 100-room residential facility.

The centre got tentative support from area councillor Alan Rickard and Education Minister Bob Quinn.

“This would cater to the elite and recreational athlete,” said Cr Rickard.

The centre was built and became a major piece of Mr Clarke’s legacy following his death in 2015.