Gold Coast development: Giant cruise ship terminal plans for Bilinga terminated by state government

A trio of developers pitched a $200m project which would have dramatically reshaped the southern Gold Coast but two of the world’s best-known pro surfers stood in its way. THEIR STORY

The debate about building a cruise ship terminal on the Gold Coast wasn’t always focused on the Broadwater.

This month marks 10 years since the ASF Consortium’s proposal for Wavebreak Island and The Spit were unveiled, launching a years-long battle over the area’s future.

It also marks a decade since the fight against another terminal in the city’s far south reached its peak, drawing in some of the world’s best-known surfers.

Artist impressions of cruise ship terminal, integrated resort and global tourism hub proposed for Tugun on the Gold Coast.

Billionaire Leda Group boss Bob Ell and businessmen Dennis and Lester Hughes were behind the proposal and first raised his interest in developing Bilinga in mid-2012 when the Campbell Newman-led state government launched expressions of interest for the development.

Their plans, costed at $200m, included three hotels, a casino, three terminal berths, a water park, an underwater observatory, new North Kirra surf club and a superyacht marina.

“The confidential plan also includes a harbour master/customs office, dive centre, waterfront restaurant, bars and a beach stadium that could host the Australian Surf Lifesaving Titles,” the Bulletin reported at the time.

“It would also provide space for US navy ships to dock, delivering an extra financial boost when sailors arrive on the southern Gold Coast.

The Tugun Cruise Ship proposal as seen in 2012.

“The prime oceanfront precinct would incorporate a multipurpose, mixed-use commercial precinct with boutique retail, restaurants and cafes, functions space and accommodation facilities.”

Political leaders initially had mixed views, with surfer and then-Burleigh councillor Greg Betts admitting confusion over the idea.

“I find it strange to be in that location. Perhaps in 30 years time Tugun might be more of a tourist destination because the airport is there,’’ he said at the time.

The surfing community was horrified and immediately rallied against it, warning the development would destroy the city’s most prominent breaks

The proposed project would have drastically changed the city’s south.

Kirra Surf Riders spokesman Rob Totten said: “The figures have been done on what surfing brings to the Gold Coast and if you take away the breaks you can forget surfing and you can forget the Quiksilver Pro,’’ he said at the time.

“If you take away (the) world-class breaks you can forget the industry staying here and if you take away the surfers, this city loses its soul.’’

Surfrider Foundation national board member Brendan Donohoe warned many surfers would boycott the Gold Coast entirely if the development went ahead.

Mr Ell was not deterred and sent detailed plans to the federal government in a bid to sell it on approval the project.

The Newman Government finally put the project to bed after opposition.

World champion surfers Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson galvanised support against the idea.

“So many things that are totally wrong about this whole idea,” Fanning wrote at the time

“(It’s) ruining our beaches by stopping natural sand flow to the northern Gold Coast that is already eroding.

“(It’s) ruining the world-class waves we have that also generate millions of dollars in revenue for local businesses.”

Mick Fanning and former world surfing champion Joel Parkinson, who spent their teenage years honing their surfing skills at Kirra, were joined by a crowd to celebrate the scrapping of a planned casino and marina development at Kirra.

Parkinson wrote: “This would be the fatal blow to Kirra,” he said.

“It’s one of the most magical waves on this earth.

“It went dormant when the sandpumping started and it’s only just started coming back.

“The surfing world will band together and put an end to it.”

Mr Newman killed the idea in January 2014, saying: “While we always welcome new ideas about how to grow the state, we will simply never entertain the idea of a cruise ship terminal at Kirra Beach.”

A 2018 attempt to pitch the idea again also failed.