Bruce Bishop: Former MP’s blast at Gold Coast City Council for push to sell Surfers Paradise carpark

A push by the Gold Coast City Council to sell off Surfers Paradise’s Bruce Bishop carpark sparked a furious response, with the move declared ‘Vindictive and thoughtless’. FIND OUT WHY

Former Alderman and state MP Bruce Bishop had been silent since the mid-1990s.

Long after bowing out of public life, few expected toe hear again from the man dubbed a “political lion”.

It was 20 years ago when Mr Bishop made his return from the political wilderness to make a final stand, this time in aid of preserving the public carpark which bore his own name.

In late 2004 the Gold Coast City Council moved to sell the Surfers Paradise landmark.

Mr Bishop, who was then-79 years old, was horrified at the news, having spent years in the mid-1970s securing the resumption of land on Beach Road to make way for the carpark, to ensure the area had enough facilities for its visitors.

Bruce Bishop in front of the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre and the carpark that was named after him.

He said he had pressured his colleagues to make the decision and featured the impact of its mooted closure.

Mr bishop called it a “vindictive and thoughtless’ decision”

“I can’t believe they are tossing away all our work – this is unimaginable, it’s a backward step,’’ he said at the time.

“I’ve kept out of Gold Coast politics for the last 10 years, and I’ve never commented, even when asked, because I had my time and now its theirs.

“But I can’t keep quiet this time, the council is just going too far.

Former alderman Bruce Bishop (centre) on the campaign trail in the 1970s

“It’s the easiest thing in the world to sell something, it’s impossible to get it back. If they do this, what has it all been for? Why did we resume those homes?’’

Speaking ahead of a council meeting that was to decide its fate, Mr Bishop admitted he was furious at how council had changed since his era.

“Back in those days, everyone knew everyone. They were my friends and it was hard taking their homes,’’ he said.

“Some people were very upset, but they understood it had to happen.

“Are they going to compensate those people who gave up their homes for this?

Neal Shannon Park, which once sat above Bruce Bishop carpark. Picture: David Clark

“This is a thoughtless act, there’s no vision. It’s a vindictive approach by other councillors who have nothing to do with Surfers Paradise.

“What are they doing? They’re throwing away public property.’’

Then-mayor Ron Clarke “suggested Mr Bishop was more concerned about losing his name’s association with the area”, the Bulletin reported at the time.

Mr Bishop disputed that: “They could take my name off the car park tomorrow, and I would not care.”

Gold Coast Council debated the future of the Transit Centre while Rob Borbidge worked to save it. Picture: David Clark

The battle raged through December 2004, with former premier and Surfers Paradise MP Rob Borbidge positioning himself to run for mayor after council voted to demolish the carpark.

“I am on record as saying that I think the council has erred with its decision on the Transit Centre,” he said in a carefully worded statement.

“I am totally enjoying what I am doing now but having said that you can never say never and circumstances change.

“If circumstances arise … maybe I could play a role at another level.”

Council finally backed down on the decision in early 2005 and it went no further during Mr Clarke’s time in office.

Protects against the sale.

The future of the carpark has repeatedly come into doubt in the past 20 years, with council attempting to selling again in 2018, however the deal fell apart when the buyer backed out of the deal.

Councillors unanimously rejected a $50m offer on the site in late-2023 and instead endorsed a plan to build a giant music hall venue on the site of the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre.

The proposal, announced before the meeting, also attracted protests from locals.

With the future of the carpark again safe, attention will now turn to the delivery of the music hall venue, as well as other revamps of the suburb.