Revealed: Plans for beach clubs open to the public from The Spit to Coolangatta

The Mayor and councillor for Surfers Paradise have been joined by the Deputy Mayor backing beach bars on the Gold Coast sand. See who is against the push - and why

Gold Coast City Council is pushing for more permanent beach bars open to the public, in a bid to widen the city’s tourism attractions.

But council admits it must work through “red tape and green tape” with the state government to sort out land tenure at Kurrawa – where a lengthy trial was staged to determine visitor and community feedback.

Other locations from Coolangatta to The Spit are to be considered with the Bulletin told investors have approached council to set up new beach clubs.

Mayor Tom Tate said the council was working to resolve land tenures issues with the state, but had support from former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and her successor Steven Miles.

“To me, this is a no-brainer for the Gold Coast, and we are already being left behind by competitor markets like Adelaide and Perth. These clubs have been hugely popular in some of the most exclusive tourism areas in the world including the Cote d’Azur in France and Sorrento in Italy,” Mr Tate said.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate posted a pic of him and Deputy Premier Steven Miles enjoying a beer at a controversial Glitter Strip beach bar at Kurrawa.

“We have had approaches from multiple top-notch players in the hospitality game, and we need a longer lease than the last trial so we can encourage proponents to invest in a first-class venue.

“The Kurrawa trial disproved the naysayers claims that we would have drownings and drunks and litter across our beaches – it simply didn’t happen and the survey that was done proved that the majority favoured the project.

“When we get this back to market, two of my most important stipulations will be that the venues must be open to the public as opposed to private and exclusive and they must deliver a top-class product for families and couples as opposed to a loud music venue on the beach.”

A city hall spokesman said council had supported the continuation of the Kurrawa beach club trial for another three years but it was on reserve land which required government approval.

“To facilitate this approval the City of Gold Coast (council) has prepared and submitted a draft land management plan to the Department of Resources. Community consultation will be undertaken as part of the land management plan process,” the spokesman said.

Hannah Bemrose from Robina is excited for more beach bars. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT.

Once the land tenure issues are resolved, council is to consider the issue of location and “consult with the community”.

Council officers believe a longer lease would provide more certainty for the beach club operator and facilitate a higher level of investment to deliver a great outcome for locals and visitors.

“This was a clear lesson from the trial two years ago,” a council spokesman said.

Some Broadbeach unit owners had reached out to The Bulletin saying the majority of residents did not support a beach bar at Broadbeach and regarded it “as a major eyesore”.

They say Kurrawa Surf Lifesaving Club plans to expand their facility with a bar overlooking the beach and should be supported. The state government late last year was lobbied by the Surfrider Foundation not to extend any future trial.

Chiara Mibus and Caitlin Robertson from Republica Bar planning a pop up event at St Kilda beach after Covid restrictions lifted. Picture: Josie Hayden.

But Surfers Paradise-Broadbeach councillor Darren Taylor, who strongly supported beach clubs in the lead-up to the March local government poll, said it would bring different tourist offerings to the Coast.

“It’s being done all around the world. I couldn’t think of another place in the world that should have it. We have the greatest beaches,” Cr Taylor said.

He said Surfers Paradise was the next obvious location for a beach club, either along the Oceanway and or near the Jewel towers.

“There’s opportunities of having a footprint. I always say my division is the area where the tourists come, and accommodation houses are right along the coast there,” he said.

The Beach Bar at Kurrawa on the Gold Coast, an aerial shot showing different beach users.

“Finding the right location is the work we have to do. We’ve got to be open minded to where those sites could be. The challenge you’ve got for private enterprise would be the feasibility with a short-term lease.

“To provide a successful operation we need to provide certainty with time. We have done the body of work, so we’ve done the trial (at Kurrawa), we now have to change the usage of that land through the state government.”

DEPUTY GATES: ‘WE NEED A COUPLE’

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates has added her support to beach club bars on the Gold Coast saying “we need a couple”.

Ms Gates, speaking as Acting Mayor on Tuesday this week, said an initial beach bar trial was a success and the city had a ”fantastic opportunity”to compete with Adelaide and Perth where beach bars were operating”.
“We’re still really keen to introduced beach bars on the Gold Coast. We need a couple here.”

Her comments come after Mayor Tom Tate called beach bars a “no brainer” with support from ex-Premier Annastacial Palaszczuk and her successor Steven Miles. The council is working to resolve land tenure issues with the state while Mr Tate said “multiple top-notch players” in hospitality have apporached about longer lease options on the beachfront.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates says the Gold Coast needs “a couple” of beach bars. Picture: Glenn Campbell

SURVEY RESULTS

Council surveying on a Kurrawa beach bar trial attracted 2721 resident responses.

The council report highlighted 69 per cent of community responders and 74 per cent of businesses were supportive.

Of the 2721 residents who responded – 1829 were in support – and just over 20 businesses responded with majority support.

Broadbeach resident Jeff McDermid said under 3000 responses was a poor engagement level suggesting a “strong rejection from the Gold Coast community” — despite a majority of respondents backing it.

Council figures on beach bar patronage showed a drop from more than 20,000 during the peak summer Christmas month to just more than 2000 three months later.

It indicated a decline in interest “after the first rush of people curious and keen to try a new thing”, he said.

“It’s certainly not an indication the beach bar trial was a major success,” he said.

“To then only get 2721 respondents suggests a lack of engagement with the Gold Coast community. Or, a strong rejection of the beach bar concept,” he said.

Cr Gates, when asked about the trial, replied: “It was really well received. There were no complaints that we were aware of other than a little concern about back of house.

“That can be easily rectified. Once brought to our attention, we will make sure it is right.”

Mayor Tom Tate has said the council was pushing for more permanent quality beach clubs.

Broadbeach councillor Darren Taylor gave a tick to beach bars when quizzed in a pre-election community survey.

The City after conducting a trial at Kurrawa must sort out land tenure issues with State Government before exploring sites.

A majority of Bulletin readers say any new commercial operation should not impact negatively on an existing surf club.

“Start with a permanent one at Kurrawa because it was very successful and work has been done,” a resident wrote.

“Assess it in two years for additional locations maybe Coolangatta and along the Oceanway in front of the Jewel.”

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