Kirra Beach Tourist Park residents shocked at sudden council turnaround allowing caravan owners to stay 10 years

Residents have been left in shock after a stunning turnaround by Gold Coast City Council regarding controversial Kirra Beach Tourist Park.

Kirra Beach Tourist Park residents are being kicked out by council. Picture: Jerad Williams

ALL the residents at the Kirra Beach Tourist Park will be able to stay for the next ten years in a stunning turnaround at council.

Caravan residents, unlike those in manufactured homes, had previously been given three years notice as council planned to upgrade the park.

Kirra caravan park resident Phil Matthies is being kicked out by the Gold Coast City Council and will receive no compensation because his home is classified as a caravan despite having no wheels. Phil only purchased his new home at the end of 2017. Picture: Jerad Williams

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But area councillor Gail O’Neill in a strong speech at full council today convinced enough of her colleagues to support the caravan residents.

“The average age of some of them is 70. They are stressed to the max. I think we need to make this decision and we need to make it today,” Cr O’Neill said.

Kirra Beach Tourist Park residents were shocked by the sudden turnaround. Picture: Jerad Williams

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Southport-based councillor Dawn Crichlow who supported Cr O’Neill described the vote as “a real win for the people”.

Residents who were in the gallery were shocked by the vote, despite lobbying Cr O’Neill in the past two weeks.

Rod Pilling, the spokesman for the resident group, told The Bulletin: “We put forward a strong case to Gail. Ten years should be equal for all. No-one has shown any desire. They love the place.”