Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade: shock admission by councillor about demolishing the building

The city’s Deputy Mayor says the timing by council to intervene and stop the demolition of the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade is “immoral” given the site being placed on the market.

DEPUTY Mayor Donna Gates says the timing by the council to intervene and stop the demolition of the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade is “immoral” given the site was changing hands.

Councillor Gates voted against council getting approval from the State Government to use a temporary local planning instrument to protect elements of the building, including the facade.

HOW COUNCIL WILL PROTECT BURLEIGH ARCADE

The De-Luxe Theatre at Burleigh Heads. It became the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade.

Weiya Holdings intends replacing the 90-year-old Goodwin Terrace brick building with a 14-level luxury apartment tower which has a new arcade as its base.

The Sydney-based property development company bought the site for $18.5 million when it went on the market in April.

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The Bulletin has been told several “pre-lodgement meetings” have been held between the developer and council officers.

Political sources suggest the developer did not foresee any problems with the project because it was not heritage-listed and those issues were not raised.

Cr Gates told colleagues at a full council meeting this week: “I have felt that the heritage value of the site is questionable since it was renovated in the ’70s. And if you look at comparisons it has no relationship with the image and structure that was there.

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The De-Luxe Theatre at Burleigh Heads. It became the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade.

“I also question the timing of this being raised by council when we have had the opportunity to put forward buildings and items that we would like included on our heritage register and we didn’t.

“I just think it is quite immoral that we have done this at the time when the sale was imminent. For those reasons I won’t be supporting the committee’s recommendations.”

But Hinterland-based councillor Peter Young applauded council for seeking planning powers to protect the building.

“Council took action on this before there was any public notification,” he said. “And I applaud the officers for bringing it to our attention.”

LOCALS RALLY TO SAVE OLD BURLEIGH ARCADE

Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Donna Gates: the building has changed.

“The action is welcome and we hope that it achieves the outcome intended to achieve which is to preserve key elements of the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade in any future redevelopment that might occur.”

Planning committee chair Cameron Caldwell, who also thanked officers, said council discovered the strong links between Coast residents and the city’s history when it conducted consultation on its culture plan.

“We’re still a progressive city, we like to grow and we like to improve ourselves and have a go but there was as strong feeling through that public consultation, that people have a strong feeling of nostalgia and a nod to our past,” he said.