Broadbeach resident beach bar survey sees visitors opposed to Kurrawa club

Those opposed to a beach bar at one of the city’s most famed sand edges have taken their battle direct to the Gold Coast City Council. See how and the level of support they have

A petition signed by more than 400 people opposed to a beach bar at Kurrawa has been presented to the Gold Coast City Council.

Petitioner Jenny-Lyn Fahey outside the full council meeting at the Evandale Chambers on Friday said she had easily obtained 452 signatures by organising a stall by the beach.

The petition tabled at the council meeting asked the City to disallow any further dune clearing or exclusive beach use for the bar beyond the currently permitted 14 days.

Ms Fahey said the beach bar trial had blocked off three volleyball courts and prevented access for many older and disabled residents.

Her petition was signed by locals, interstate and overseas visitors.

“It wasn’t just locals. It was a lot of tourists who did not want the area spoiled,” she said.

“We have fantastic festivals, like Blues and the Country festival, all those events are 14 days maximum. They are fantastic. They bring lots of tourists into the area. They support the local businesses.

Broadbeach resident Jenny-Lyn Fahey, lead petitioner against a beach bar at Kurrawa on the Gold Coast.

“This Kurrawa beach bar was for one private enterprise that blocked off public space. It blocked out a lot of people. Three hundred people didn’t get to use that area.

“I’m very passionate that we don’t block off our public spaces, our pristine beaches, and allow them to be used by the public, by visitors, by all the disabled, by all the people that enjoy that area, that can’t get on the beach and need the (foreshore) platform.”

A Bulletin report earlier this month detailed how at least three Gold Coast foreshore locations are being eyed for beach bars but councillors faced a community protest campaign appear divided on approving them.

Environmental and resident groups had ramped up opposition as consultation on a draft management plan for a future permanent beach bar at Kurrawa closed.

Mayor Tom Tate and his senior councillors are backing the new tourism product if clubs can meet certain criteria.

Outside Friday’s meeting, he remained optimistic about the added tourism item, having more entertainment as the city headed into the 2032 Olympics.

He said he had won the election in March by a huge majority, campaigned on beach bars and “I take that as a mandate to proceed”.

The beach bar at Kurrawa on the Gold Coast after the council staged a trial.

Five councillors with the Mayor appear supportive, four are against, and another five, including new representatives, are undecided.

A Gold Coast City Council source said a five-year lease would be considered for a successful operator but beach bars must be open to the public and not private clubs.

“Kurrawa is the favourite. There are at least two others being pushed by proponents. It’s created a lot of interest, there are people in Coolangatta. Kurrawa is the only location under consideration,” the source said.

A draft management plan for a future permanent beach bar at Broadbeach shows it will require levelling of the foreshore area, and a sewerage connection.

As part of consultation with residents, the council has provided a management plan for the Kurrawa foreshore which shows a “new groomed beach area for events and beach sports”.

The other key structural change is a “sewerage connection to Kurrawa Terrace to enable efficient sewage waste disposal for events”.

A community group leader who researched the plans said: “This means they will flatten the dunes to build a pad.”

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