Tipplers South Stradbroke Island: Fury at Gold Coast City Council’s controversial closure of resort

A controversial decision to shut down a popular Gold Coast resort sparked a furious reaction from the public despite its owner desperately wanting to sell. FIND OUT WHY

The end of the 2000s was a difficult time for the Gold Coast.

The global financial crisis rocked the city’s economy, putting the squeeze on everything from real estate and development to household budgets.

It was no different for the Gold Coast City Council which faced a crisis of confidence.

Projects, both big and small, were cancelled and city leaders spent much of 2008-12 at war with each other over who would succeed Ron Clarke who had already committed to leaving city hall and the end of his second term.

An aerial photo of Tipplers on the day of its closure.

Among the biggest flashpoints of this period was the city’s controversial decision to buy Tipplers on South Stradbroke Island in 2008.

Anger over its subsequent closure, which occurred 15 years ago this weekend, and questions of its future raged for years.

It was revealed in September 2008 that the council was considering buying the resort, which its owners had been attempting to sell since 2006.

Rachel Schmitzer, then-seven years old, with families that had been going to Tipplers for years.

Mr Clarke favoured turning the resort and camping grown into a conservation park and flagged banning alcohol there,

not the lucrative eco-tourism market.

``We are currently attempting to work out a memorandum of understanding with the State Government on South Stradbroke Island and I believe that one of the options is Tipplers,’’ he said.

Mayor Ron Clarke had little support from locals as he pushed ahead with the closure.

``I would think that Tipplers in its current form would be shut down. I would support an education facility or something more proactive for the long-term future of the island.

“I would like to see it transformed into a giant theme park. There is a rich diversity of wildlife on the island and we should make sure that flourishes so that people can walk and cycle through there and we can reinvigorate camping on Stradbroke.’’

The Gold Coast City Council held a community consultation meeting on the future of Tipplers resort.

The deal went through and council finalised a $7m sale for the site, with Mr Clarke announcing in January 2009 the resort, in its existing form, would shut down.

South Stradbroke Island Jet Ski Hire owner Mark McCann was among those furious at the decision.

“If the council … shuts it down, the daytrip side of it will be gone,’’ said Mr McCann.

“I’m out of business – 80 per cent of my business comes from the resort.

“Everyone I talk to thinks it (closing Tipplers) is absolutely ludicrous.

“The only person who thinks it’s a good idea is Mayor Ron Clarke.’”

Nerang councillor Peter Young’s proposal to allow homeless people to live in its units failed to gain support.

An artist’s impression of Tipplers Resort by, architect Magnus Bjornsson.

More than 1500 people turned out on March 1, 2009 to celebrate its last day of business.

“Resort owner Gary Kline made a tearful address to the band of boaties and other supporters who had been regular visitors over the years,” the Bulletin reported at the time.

`I’ve been coming here since ‘71. The kids learned to swim in the pool and it has always been a good spot to bring the family, relax and just have a great time,” said longtime visitor John Osborne

Marine Action Group plans for Tipplers

``It’s sad to think that the one place we had, where you could park the boat up on the beach and come in for a feed and a beer and just enjoy it, has now been taken away from everyone.’’

The future of the site remained a hot-button issue for several years leading up to the 2012 council election, which was won by Tom Tate.

Architect Magnus Bjornsson’s plans for a hotel at Tipplers.

Various proposals and plans were put forward by the Marine Action group and architect Magnus Bjornsson but none were supported by council.

The dilapidated former tavern was demolished the same year but council eventually revamped the precinct which reopened and continues to operate today.

In recent years there has been discussion of expanding the city’s ferry system to have a permanent stop at Tipplers as part of its route.