Black Swan Lake: Council votes to save remaining section of Black Swan Lake

In a stunning move, councillors made a decision which left supporters of Black Swan Lake ‘speechless’ after five years of debate.

THE five-year battle for Black Swan Lake has finally been won - with a stunning Gold Coast City Council vote to retain the 20 per cent that remains intact.

A super majority of councillors have backed the deal to ensure the remaining part of the lake stays after a marathon debate of more than two hours behind closed doors last night.

Only Mayor Tom Tate voted against the recommendation put forward by Councillor Bob La Castra and supported by Hinterland-based Councillor Peter Young.

The deal was secured after Cr William Owen-Jones proposed a series of amendments which first supported both the Turf Club developing its equine precinct and Show Society gaining much-needed funding where it has an administrative base.

He then backed Cr La Castra’s bid to change part of the recommendation, which would protect the lake rather than it be filled by June 2021.

“Thank you very much for that show of support. Thank you. It’s not very often that I’m speechless, but I’m speechless,” Cr La Castra said.

What’s left of Black Swan Lake. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

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Residents were standing and applauding in the gallery, and they could be heard cheering as they left Evandale.

Cr Tate explained he had opposed the move because he wanted “finality” and not the Turf Club returning in 12 months with a problem in maintaining the borrow pit.

Councillors at the full council meeting at Evandale went into a closed session at 2.37pm to discuss the fate of the lake after the Turf Club put in an application for a new leasing deal on council land within Bundall racing precinct.

Wildlife Preservation Society Gold Coast president Sally Spain sent a message out to supporters to protest at the council chambers about 12.30pm in what was the last stand in a five-and-half-year community protest to save the Lake.

Several supporters waited outside as councillors inside determined potential conflict of interests and worked on several resolutions.

The council gallery and media room was reopened just before 5pm yesterday, and Mayor Tate in addressing a recommendation briefly talked about the history of the site.

Councillor Bob La Castra said the decision left him “speechless”. Photo: Jerad Williams

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Cr Owen-Jones proposed an amendment, which failed to get a backer earlier at a committee meeting but was seconded today by Cr Gary Baildon.

The recommendations included a 30-year lease with the rental for the Turf Club starting at $75,000 annually with council to provide the funds to the Gold Coast Show.

The Turf Club would be required to resolve the stormwater issues around the so-called borrow pit and ensure the fill continued and be finished no longer than June 30, 2021.

Cr Owen-Jones explained the Club must meet those operational demands for the new lease to operate.

The area could not be used for stables or a hotel. It would remain for carparking and exercising of horses.

A swan pictured at Balck Swan Lake. Picture: Tim Marsden.

Cr La Castra sought to put forward a motion which backed all of the recommendations by Cr Owen-Jones but adding the requirement that the remaining 20 per cent of the lake would be intact.

He said the Turf Club would face costs whether it filled the lake in or retained it, and leaving the final section would mean not just the club and Show Society but the community would enjoy a win.

“There is still a thriving birdlife and wildlife there. It’s an incredible tranquil spot. It’s a very therapeutic place to spend time,” he said.

Cr Peter Young supported Cr La Castra saying “there is a genuine desire from people to protect this area”.

The only councillors who opposed Cr La Castra moving his motion were Mayor Tate, Paul Taylor and Gary Baildon. In the final vote, only Cr Tate voted against.