South Straddy pipeline stirs up surfers as concerns surface about world class beach break

SURFERS are up in arms, calling the city council ‘environmentally reckless’ after they proposed to build a recycled water pipeline through one of the Gold Coast’s best surf breaks.

THE council is accused of being “environmentally and financially reckless” as it builds a recycled water pipeline near one of the world’s best surfing breaks.

Almost $32 million has been budgeted in the next 12 months to build the pipeline across the Broadwater, South Stradbroke Island and extending 3km out to sea.

A map showing the Gold Coast long term recycled water plan to include South Stradbroke Island

Council maintains the pipeline built by tunnel experts John Holland Queensland Pty Ltd will be 20m underground and further north of surfing area known as The Other Side.

“All construction and operational aspect of recycled water are subject to strict environmental regulations and approvals by the Department of Environment and Heritage,” a council spokesperson said.

“Recycled water has been available and utilised on The Spit for establishment of vegetation and fire control for about 20 years.”

Piping to be used as part of the Gold Coast long term recycled water plan

But mapping of the pipeline route released by the Bulletin has shocked surfers with many accusing the council of being secretive, pursuing redundant technology and not considering alternatives which would send the recycled water to drought communities.

“Surfing at South Stradbroke Island is one of this city’s greatest attractions in the surfing world — why would you want to destroy it, particularly when no valid alternatives have been researched or assessed,” Save Our Spit vice president Darren Crawford said.

“As a city, we have an opportunity here to be a leader in this technology in Australia, by creating another industry to benefit this city based on recycled water.”

The first installation in the 1980s of the Gold Coast long term recycled water plan

Mr Crawford said the surfing break at South Stradbroke Island was estimated in 2005 to contribute $20 million annually to the city’s bottom line.

“Why would you want to destroy one of the city’s greatest surfing assets. South Stradbroke Island is one of three unique sand islands on the Queensland Coast,” he said.

“The city of Gold Coast is proposing to use the tunnelling equipment used in the Clem 7 tunnel project in Brisbane.”

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Save Our Spit has asked council to show how it was possible to tunnel through sand at a depth which would not damage the sand banks on the surface and destroy the quality of the wave.

The group also asked for the release of any environmental data showing the impact of the nutrient load in the Seaway from the release of recycled water from the current pipe.

Surfing identities like surf reporter and Burleigh Boardrider Terry “Tappa” Teece yesterday backed Mr Crawford’s suggestion.