Hidden secret carved inside iconic motel after flood insurance

A popular venue, where thousands have been married, has closed its doors and sold up for a petrol station chain after owners were unable to get flood insurance. The sale uncovered hidden secrets builders left for posterity.

It’s been the setting for thousands of weddings, funerals, honeymoons, Christmas parties, work breakups, wakes and holidays over the past 37 years.

But as of this week, the iconic Beenleigh Yatala Motor Inn will be the backdrop for a multinational petrol station chain after owners sold up because they could not get flood insurance.

Beenleigh Yatala Motor Inn owner Leath Hagstron, said selling the well-known business her father built in 1985, was an emotional rollercoaster ride she and her brother Lloyd could not avoid.

She said since signing a multimillion dollar deal for the property she had been swamped with people offering their fond memories of the holiday venue known for its red pineapple-shaped dome which can be seen from the M1.

The building is next to the famous Yatala Pies and both made headlines when aerial shots in 2017 and in March this year showed the flood waters inundated the first level of the building.

Flood waters swamped the motel this year and in 2017.

The motorway has moved three times around the motel since it was built by Lloyd Hagstrom on Lloyds Lane, previously known as Hester St, at Yatala.

“It’s been very traumatic and if we had been able to get flood insurance it would have been a different outcome,” Ms Hagstrom said.

“But I could not go through another flood after having to clean up twice from being inundated in the past five years — and then the pandemic did not help either.

“My dad came up with the design for the dome after a trip to the US.

“It is sad because the business was still making money but without flood insurance I was not going to risk it.”

The site was bought to be used by Australian petrol giant Ampol, after plans were approved by Gold Coast City Council last month.

Approval has also been granted for a restaurant and fast food outlet on the block which hugs the motorway and the Gold Coast rail corridor.

The sale revealed some hidden secrets carved into exposed timber beams in the building’s iconic dome, which is well-known to motorists on the nearby M1.

Carpenters who constructed the iconic dome carved their names into the beams along with well wishes for the building’s longevity.

Inside the iconic Beenleigh Yatala Village Motel Inn dome.

“We discovered the signatures on the top of the beams and it was like unveiling the past,” Ms Hagstrom said.

“It’s a real shame that they will be going along with the very modern bar area that we did up and all the fittings.

“The place was always being upgraded and maintained and it’s sad that it will be knocked down for a service station – especially in times where there is a dire need for housing and accommodation and when there is a strong interstate tourist industry.”

A massive garage sale of high-quality catering equipment, televisions, linen and furniture also attracted a large crowd last month.

Ampol was contacted.

The business was booming but the owners could not get flood insurance.

Windaroo resident Wendy Child, whose partner Gary Ralph died during the Covid pandemic and was the proprietor of nearby Windaroo Cottage, said it was sad to see the iconic motel close.

“We have wonderful memories, in the restaurant, functions and overnight stays,” she said.

“Some 29 years ago, when Gary and I were courting, we stayed over on a few occasions.

“It’s a treasured memory for me, especially now that he has passed.”

Ms Child thanked the motel management for supporting affected families during the floods even when the business was swamped.

Karen Bernardi took a trip down memory lane and visited the site recently.

“I can’t believe it’s over,” she said. “I loved every second working there on and off over 10 years.

“My hubby and I were married there 21 years ago and we popped in last week and stood among the rubble on the same dance floor we had our first dance as husband and wife.”

Local resident Joshua Hunt said it was a shame the motel would be replaced by another petrol station.

Originally published as Hidden secret carved inside iconic motel after flood insurance