Budds Beach: Residents up in arms over plans for a jet-ski business on Nerang River at Marriott marina
Some of the Gold Coast’s richest residents are furious over plans for a jet-ski tour business to open in ritzy Budds Beach. FIND OUT MORE
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Some of the Gold Coast’s richest residents are furious over plans for a jet-ski tour business to open in ritzy Budds Beach.
Jet Ski Safaris is relocating to the Marriott marina from Mariner’s Cove, which is to be redeveloped, but locals fear it will cause mayhem, lower property values and disrupt the amenity of the suburb.
Residents claim that up to 100 jet skis will be operating on the Nerang River daily.
The company has hit back at the claims, dismissing it as a scare campaign.
William Ell, is leading the charge, urging council to step in, with hundreds of locals backing calls for tourism businesses to be kept out of the area.
“Nobody knew this was happening until a month ago and the only reason it got out was that the current tenants are going to Paradise Point,” he said.
“This is a huge issue because this is a totally residential area and it is causing a lot of stress for locals because it will impact not just the community but the rowers from The Southport School (TSS) who start at 5am and go until 8am.
“I worry it is going to create a war zone on the water.”
A petition launched by Budds Beach residents has already garnered hundreds of signatures.
In it, Mr Ell warns widespread tourism businesses based on the Nerang River would cause:
* A likely decrease in property values by millions.
* Damage to seawalls and pontoons and Sandbank erosion.
* Increased wear on boat vessels.
* A rise in unlicensed operators, posing safety risks.
* Elevated noise and environmental pollution.
“While it may seem like this will attract more visitors and benefit local businesses, Jet Ski users return to the same launch point after following instructors, providing no economic advantage for the area,” he said.
“This operation’s shift from a tourist hub to a residential area requires immediate community action to protect our environment and property values.”
The Gold Coast City Council approved the marina’s usage for tourism purposes in July 2015.
The marina has previously been home to a boat hire business and jet boat company.
A spokeswoman for the Marriott said: “The marina positioned on the Nerang River alongside the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa is home to individual businesses who are managed independently.”
Jet Ski Safaris owner Adrian Bond said Budds Beach residents were being misled by “false information”.
“Allegations we are going to be putting 50 to 100 jet skis running out of there five to 10 times a day is absolute rubbish,” he said.
“We will be putting down about 10 skis, we won’t have a jet boat so in fact we expect there will be less noise and no increase in activity from the previous tenants.”
The company has been forced to relocate from its long-time home at Mariner’s Cove on The Spit, like many of its other tenants, because the council approved the $400m redevelopment of the site to become a Ritz-Carlton hotel.
Area councillor Darren Taylor said Jet Ski Safaris would need to make a fresh application to the council if it wanted to expand its business.
“The current conditions note that a total of 10 recreation vessels can be used in a small-scale operation and right now there are only approved hours of between 8am and 5pm Monday to Sunday,” he said.
“To make it any bigger they would have to go back to council again.”
The arrival of the jet-ski business comes as the wealthy enclave faces changes, with more tourism businesses and greater development coming to the area.
The Bulletin recently revealed construction had begun on a high-end backpackers facility aimed at everyone from the homeless to tourism workers.
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