Gold Coast development: Glenn Tozer reveals why he opposes $25m showground planned for Mudgeeraba

THE Gold Coast councillor opposed to a $25 million showground and sporting hub in his own backyard does not believe the 54ha site is fit for racing. He reveals why he won’t back the project.

A GOLD Coast councillor opposed to a $25 million showground and sporting hub in his own backyard does not believe the 54ha site is fit for racing.

Further clarifying his opposition to a proposal to have harness racing, greyhounds, polocross and grounds for large concerts and shows at Mudgeeraba, Cr Glenn Tozer said he has concerns about:

Layout of proposed Gold Coast Showground in Mudgeeraba.

• The feasibility and impact of greyhound and racing infrastructure on the site, something he said could not possibly be delivered.

• Those proposals which include racing would not ‘represent a good planning or community outcome.

• The site’s status as a floodplain meant there would be significant hydraulic challenges in developing it.

• That having a second showground in the suburb would damage the history Mudgeeraba Show which is held annually in June.

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Glenn Tozer. Photo: Jerad Williams

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Cr Tozer said he was happy to support community usage for the site owned by Turner’s Engineering, including a potential relocation of the Mudgeeraba Redbacks rugby league team.

“As councillor, I have been provided several technical reports regarding that site and its hydraulic constraints, ” he said.

“It is also my personal view, and the broader view of the community I represent who have contacted me, that the proposal including racing land uses does not represent a good planning outcome or a good community outcome.

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The land owned by Turner’s Engineering. Picture Mike Batterham

“I welcome community uses on the site, such as grassroots sport like Rugby League, AFL, cricket or polocrosse that can manage the evident hydraulic challenges on flat ground.

“Uses that require built form such as grandstands, stabling, fencing and other buildings may be incongruent with flooding challenges that eventuate on that site.”

The Bulletin last month revealed The Gold Coast Show and Gold Coast Harness Racing Club was in talks with Racing Queensland to support the redevelopment of the site off Somerset Drive.

The land is next to the Firth Park site. Picture Mike Batterham

The site, a floodplain, was bought by Nerang firm Turner’s Engineering which was allowing the idea to be explored.

The company has also expressed interest in allowing it to be used for community sporting purposes.

Cr Tozer welcomed news that Turner’s were considering allowing grassroots sports clubs to use the location,’

“I am grateful that Turner’s are considering community uses like junior sport and grassroots sport. It may be they generously contribute the site to the city for such uses, which I imagine might be welcomed by my Council colleagues.

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The big crowds at this year’s Gold Coast Show. Photo by Richard Gosling

Turner’s say they have no definitive plans for the site.

Cr Tozer said his opposition to the showgrounds project was not only on the grounds of its impact on flooding but because of its proximity to the site of the historic Mudgeeraba Show.

“The Mudgeeraba Showgrounds is a short distance to the north of site and the financial sustainability of this existing showground asset in Mudgeeraba may be impacted by other sites proposed nearby that provide similar leasable/rentable land use options, that generate revenue for annual shows.

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The Gold Coast show when it was held at Parklands.

“The Gold Coast Show has experienced a positive result this past weekend at the Broadwater Parklands and may have resolved its long term future home problem, according to some of my colleagues, quoted in recent news reports.”

The proposal came five years after its backers were booted from the city’s former showground Parklands, which was later transformed into the Commonwealth Games Athletes Village.

The proposal was developed in the past two years by the harness racing club in consultation with other displaced Parklands groups and includes a raft of facilities which the city lacks.

These include a harness racing track, polocrosse fields, a show ring, concert venue for outdoor festivals and race stables.

The Mudgeeraba land is one of several sites that have been looked at as a possible site for a showground. Another is a site in the city’s far north on the corner of Zipfs and Alberton roads.

The Alberton site already has planning approval for harness racing facilities.