Residents slam use of Arundel Hills Country Club for Supercheap Auto ad

Arundel residents are fuming about the use of an important wildlife corridor to film an advertisement featuring revving cars and stunts. Read Supercheap Auto’s response

Arundel residents have slammed the use of an important wildlife corrider for the filming of an advertisement featuring revving cars and stunt manoeuvres.

Supercheap Auto has privately hired the dilapidated Arundel Hills Country Club site as the backdrop for its new national advertising campaign.

The once prestigious country club has sat vacant since it collapsed in May with debts of up to $5.73m.

The course is an important wildlife corridor for kangaroos and koalas.

Kangaroos at Arundel Hills Country Club. Picture: Adam Head

Supercheap Auto will film its “golf and motoring” themed advertisement at the site from November 17 to 22.

A spokesman said filming would involve the use of professional drivers performing stunt manoeuvres around the course under controlled conditions with some “revving car” noise.

The planned use of the club site has angered residents living nearby, with many taking to social media to air their complaints.

A Supercheap Auto store. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

“What a joke,” one resident wrote.

“Obviously it’s a unfortunate turn of events for people living in the near vicinity,” another said.

“Strange use of sports and recreation zoned land,” another resident fumed.

A fellow resident questioned: “How can they guarantee no animals will be harmed?”

A Supercheap Auto spokesman said it would work with Gold Coast-based Wild Encounters on a wildlife management strategy.

A fauna spotter catcher would be present during filming to protect the local kangaroo and koala populations.

The spokesman said it would limit noise outside the hours of 7am to 5pm and crews would park on-site to reduce congestion.

Arundel Hills Country Club. Picture: Jesse Hamilton

“There may be moments when you hear cars driving and engines revving,” a notice to residents stated.

“We have notified authorities including Queensland police service and Gold Coast City Council of our filming schedule.

“All cast and crew will park on site and are instructed to keep noise levels to a minimum when arriving and leaving.”

Area councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden said city law officers had advised no film permit was required as filming and recording was to take place on private land.