Spit fans told hop on a Hopo ferry or plug will be pullsed on three-day music festival

Music festival fans have been told to catch a ferry to The Spit rather than cause traffic chaos, as a majority of councillors back a marathon weekend concert event.

Music festival fans have been told to catch a ferry to The Spit rather than cause traffic chaos, as the council backs a marathon weekend concert event at Doug Jennings Park.

A super majority of councillors at Tuesday’s full council meeting supported an officer’s recommendation giving the green light to Promiseland 2024 with the multi-stage 3-day music festival from October 4.

The hip-hop and electronic festival will feature headline acts including American rappers Metro Boomin and Busta Rhymes and Nigerian artist Rema.

Broadwater-based councillor Shelley Curtis and Palm Beach-based councillor Josh Martin were the only councillors to oppose the event expected to attract 35,000 fans.

Cr Curtis told councillors: “Depending on the wind direction, the noise generated can have a significant impact as it did in March (at a concert) for our residents in Labrador, Biggera Waters and Runaway Bay.

“Three days of potential noise impact over a long weekend is a tough ask, and a very real compromise to our residents’ lifestyle.”

Promiseland organisers share four-step guide on how they will combat traffic congestion at Doug Jennings Park in October. Photo: Supplied

Cr Curtis said the event would cause a loss of public access to The Spit on one of the best weather weekends in the calendar.

Doug Jennings Park offered access to the best surf, dog beach and snorkelling location in the city, she said.

While Cr Curtis acknowledged the economic benefit from the event, three days of noise and traffic congestion sparked the “subjective question of balance” in terms of impact on lifestyle.

“Is the three-day loss of one our favourite beaches and Broadwater locations over the Spring long weekend a step too far – I believe it is,” she said.

Senior councillor Bob La Castra said the economic benefit from the weekend event was significant and council would send the wrong message to promoters by rejecting it.

He said he understood the traffic challenges with a single road access to The Spit. It was up to organisers to “make it work”.

“I think we need to give this a shot,” Cr La Castra said.

Cr Shelley Curtis Picture: Glenn Campbell

Organisers have urged fans to “be creative” and use e-scooters or consider the free shuttle bus and ferry service.

Shuttle services will leave Southport and Surfers Paradise from 9.30am until late every day of the festival.

The ferry service costs are $25 for one day and $50 for three, and can be added to overall ticket costs.

Council does not want a repeat of the community outrage after UK producer and artist Fred Again held an event in March that was branded a “human stampede” causing traffic chaos.

Hundreds of hire bikes were abandoned at parks and patrons were forced to walk more than 5km. Main Beach Association later sent a series of demands to the Gold Coast Waterways Authority.

Outside Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Tom Tate said he would scrutinise the traffic management.

“I think it’s good to have a go at it. My attitude is that I’ll be having a close look at the traffic management plan,” he said.

“People are talking about one road in and one road out. I’ll be asking the proponent to talk to Hopo Ferry and the turn around for the number of ferries between Bums Bay near Doug Jennings Park to Southport. You know – how quick is the timing, how big a ferry it can be and that will alleviate quite a few things.

Abandoned hire bikes on the footpath at Main Beach following the Fred Again gig on The Spit on March 9, 2024. Picture: Richard Holliday

“The second point is the after act where people, instead of just finishing and everyone’s going, is there a little teaser so people can continue and stay a little more. It’ll be different, a bit low key – that sort of thing.

“They’re the ideas that they should investigate. If they get it right they’ll have a chance to (return) next year. If they get it wrong, they won’t have that chance.”

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