Beach Club Gold Coast: Environmentalist slams proposal as Tate calls for fast-tracking
The Gold Coast’s leading environmental group has slammed a revived push to build a beach club on public land after Mayor Tom Tate revived the idea. HAVE YOUR SAY IN OUR SURVEY
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THE Gold Coast’s leading environmental group has slammed a revived push to build a beach club on public land.
Business and political leaders have backed the Gold Coast City Council’s renewed pitch to get state government approval to take the restaurant and bar facility to tender.
But Gecko Environment Council founder Lois Levy said the idea was “the same old (land) grab” and approving such a project would set a dangerous precedent.
“This beach bar idea is the same old grab by some business entity wanting the use of public open space for his own commercial benefit,” she said.
“A temporary permit would soon become permanent and set a precedent for other undesirable activities on our beautiful public beaches.
“We need to draw a line in the sand.”
Ms Levy called for council to consider new ideas such as a science centre in the Hinterland rather than continue to revisit previously raised ideas such as a cableway in the Hinterland and a cruise ship terminal at The Spit.
Mayor Tom Tate last week wrote to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk asking for her support on the proposal.
At least two proponents — Star Entertainment Group and events guru Billy Cross — say they will tender for the beachside attraction.
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The premier said she was happy to look at the proposal.
Ms Levy said there was little support for the project and pointed to a council report filed after the beach bar concept was first raised in 2013.
“A report to council, after substantial consultation of 1297 residents, demonstrated that only 4 per cent of those surveyed wanted a bar or cafe on the beach,” she said.
“Forty-four per cent wanted no alternatives to activities on the beach and 37 per cent were happy with the existing allowable activities.
“This means that 81 per cent did not support a beach bar.”
However, a goldcoastbulletin.com.au poll conducted this week found nearly 70 per cent of those surveyed supported a beach bar. In another question, more than 70 per cent favoured a permanent venue over a temporary setting.
Also, more than 75 per cent of those surveyed were supportive of more venues opening in the future if the first proved successful.
A specific location is not being eyed off but potential locations could include Broadbeach’s Kurrawa/Pratten Parklands and the sand in front of the Sheraton Mirage at Main Beach.
While council says it is agnostic about a location, it favours a venue similar to The Moseley Beach Club in Adelaide which operates seasonally and uses 750sq m of sand between November and March.
Open from 11am to 11pm, it allows patrons to rent day beds and dining booths, as well as serving food and drink and hosting live music and entertainment.
TUESDAY
GOLD Coast Mayor Tom Tate wants the state government to use its rare “call in” powers to enable the building of a proposed beach club to bypass bureaucratic “red tape”.
Business leaders have come out in support of the project and at least two proponents — Star Entertainment Group and events guru Billy Cross — say they will tender for the beachside attraction.
But Cr Tate said he wanted to steer clear of any roadblocks put up by “Brisbane-based bureaucrats”.
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“When the State gets to see it, the premier is happy and Star are happy, then I would put it to my councillors and to get rid of the red tape — and I know there was a lot from Brisbane bureaucrats — I would ask the project get called in so we can move forward.
“I did that with Jewel. There was a lot of jumping up and down and I asked for that to be called in and we went on with confidence.”
Cr Tate last week wrote to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk asking for her support on the proposal.
A taskforce launched by former tourism Minister Kate Jones was developing a concept in 2019, but it has not reconvened since the October 2020 election.
The premier said she was happy to look at the proposal.
A specific location is not being eyed off but potential locations could include Broadbeach’s Kurrawa/Pratten Parklands and the sand in front of the Sheraton Mirage at Main Beach.
While the business community has been receptive to the proposal, opponents have argued that the Gold Coast’s “pristine” beaches should be left as is.
Cr Tate took aim at those critics: “It’s easy to throw adjectives and try and rubbish an idea when they have not had a look at the project and I would say for anyone who has frequented the Darling, our wonderful Star and the Sheraton, it is far from the style of Bali beach.
“If you enjoy that style, go to Bali there will be heaps of accommodation there.”
Greater Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce president Hilary Jacobs welcomed the idea but warned any beach club would need to be handled carefully.
“Any beach bar concept would need to address the serious dangers of being ocean side especially after the recent spate of drownings,” she said.
“The dangers are many when swimming while intoxicated and the difficulty of any potential lifesaving efforts in the dark.
“These issues need to be dealt with as the early precursor to developing this concept.”
MONDAY
GOLD Coast hospitality boss Billy Cross says he will tender to operate a proposed beach club pitched by council to the State Government.
Support for the mooted three-year pilot program is growing, with tourism and business bosses throwing their support behind Mayor Tom Tate’s push to secure the State Government’s support.
Mr Cross, the events guru who co-founded high-end venue Nineteen at the Star, said he was a “massive supporter” of the concept and vowed to put his passion into a proposal should Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk give it the green light.
“We are already doing festivals and concerts on the beach and the next step is a club,” he said.
“I am a massive supporter of the idea and if there is a tender I will definitely be putting something together.
“The value in it is not just short-term but if we have a few of these, it will be massive for tourism once international flights open up again.
“It is something the Gold Coast needs, many people want and something we could do.”
Cr Tate last week wrote to Ms Palaszczuk asking for her support to allow council to go to tender for the proposal.
A taskforce launched by former tourism Minister Kate Jones was developing a concept in 2019, but it has not reconvened since the October 2020 election.
The premier said she was happy to look at the proposal.
New Destination Gold Coast chief executive Patricia O’Callaghan said she was “fully supportive” of the idea.
“Research has shown the most-loved asset for visitors is interacting with the Gold Coast’s beaches,” she said.
“Enhancing this experience in a suitable fashion would have a substantial impact on visitation and this is critical when we are rebuilding our tourism economy.
“We need to think differently and now is the time to be bold in our thinking and turn some of these ideas and concepts into reality.”
The Bulletin understands the beach club concept favoured by city hall is that of the Moseley Beach Club at Glenelg in South Australia.
A specific location is not being eyed off but potential locations could include Broadbeach’s Kurrawa/Pratten Parklands.
The location and operator would be determined by an open tender process.
It is understood any club would be heavily regulated with no glass allowed on the stretch of beach used for the venue.
State Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has been a long-time supporter of a proposed beach club and said he would back the latest push but only on one condition.
“I’ll back any project to boost tourism that respects the environment and local residents on the condition that everyone has access to it, not just the rich and famous,” he said.
“Public spaces belong to the public and can’t become private cabals.”
Tourism and business leaders have long called for a beach club to be trialled on the Gold Coast, warning the city was missing out by refusing to consider concepts considered mainstream in other nations.
SATURDAY
GOLD Coast leaders want the state government to endorse the trial of a public beach house to help the city introduce new tourism offerings.
Mayor Tom Tate wrote to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk this week, asking for her to support a three-year pilot.
“Council is willing to play the lead role in bringing it together but we require your authority to be able to have a trial,” he wrote.
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“We need to consider renewing our tourism products or otherwise people will look elsewhere.”
A taskforce launched by former tourism Minister Kate Jones was developing a concept in 2019, but it has not reconvened since the October 2020 election.
Cr Tate noted his office had received “considerable” approaches from potential operators in the past year and a commercial beach club would be a major economic benefit in the next two years while international borders remain closed.
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The Bulletin understands the beach club concept favoured by city hall is that of the Moseley Beach Club at Glenelg in South Australia.
A specific location is not being eyed off but potential locations could include Broadbeach’s Kurrawa/Pratten Parklands.
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The location and operator would be determined by an open tender process.
It is understood any club would be heavily regulated with no glass allowed on the stretch of beach used for the venue.
Ms Palaszczuk said she was “happy to look at any proposal from the Mayor”.
“New projects that create jobs and support our economic recovery are vital for the Gold Coast. As with every proposal, it would have to stack up – from an economic and environmental standpoint.”
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Tourism and business leaders have long called for a beach club to be trialled on the Gold Coast, warning the city was missing out by refusing to consider concepts considered mainstream in other nations.
Cr Tate this week named a beach club as a “vital” project to help revive the city’s shattered tourism industry, along with a Hinterland cableway, expanded dive site and an expansion of “travel bubbles” to include key international student markets.
However, opponents argue that the Gold Coast’s beaches are public and should not be commercialised in any way.
Several proposals have been developed for a beach club.
In 2017, one-time integrated resort proponent ASF unveiled plans for a 6000sq m “world-class” international beach club on The Spit facing the Broadwater.
The Star Group proposed a beach club at the Sheraton Mirage ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Two prospective concepts were developed — a pop-up temporary structure and a more permanent version.
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Star pitched the concept again in 2019 to sweeten its unsuccessful attempt to gain a 30-year exclusivity deal with the state government to be the city’s sole casino operator.
Star confirmed it would be interested in revisiting the concept.
“The Star has previously explored the potential to develop a beach club at the Sheraton Grand Mirage if planning controls allowed,” a spokesman said.
“We’re always open to initiatives that can add to the already incredible appeal the Gold Coast has for domestic and international tourists.”
In December 2020, Artesian Hospitality began construction of its rooftop Cali Beach Club on the corner of Surfers Paradise Boulevard and Elkhorn Ave.
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