Surfers Paradise Masterplan: Push against granting Paradise Centre extension on lease of prime land
Plans for the Crown land fronting the Paradise Centre in Surfers Paradise include an amphitheatre, waterpark and a food court. But it can only happen if council rejects a new push from centre operators.
Gold Coast
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A PATCH of prime Surfers Paradise beachfront taken up by a run-down shopping centre frontage has showpiece plaza potential if returned to public hands, a city stalwart says.
The Crown land fronting the Paradise Centre in Surfers Paradise would undergo a radical facelift to include an amphitheatre, waterpark and a food court as part of the proposal.
But for that to become a reality, the Gold Coast City Council would have to refuse a push from centre operators to extend the lease on the land south of Cavill Mall.
The existing lease is not due to expire until June, 2031 and the mall operators have applied for a longer extension – 18 months after a similar request created a furore and was declined.
The centre once played an important part of the Gold Coast tourism experience, especially for families, and included the popular Grundy’s water slides.
It was hoped a giant upgrade proposed by Paradise Centre’s owner Challenger Group in 2018 would see new life breathed into the area but it has seemingly fallen by the wayside.
Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club’s Billy James opposes a lease extension in a submission to the council on behalf of the club, body corporates for Allunga and Ballah towers, and Surfers Paradise BIG (Business Innovation Group).
“Surfers Central is diminishing by the day. Renewal and redevelopment of the foreshore is not about rent and return for one owner, it is about return of space, prosperity and hope for our city’s future.”
Mr James suggests “nurturing and renewal” of Surfers would include the “renaissance of a world-class beachfront Paradise Plaza”.
“Surfers Paradise and the city needs a game changer, not more of the same. Supporting the proposed redevelopment of the public leasehold land, for a mixture of commercial and community use, is fundamentally flawed,” it reads.
“This public space was previously the quintessential heart of Surfers.
“Hands up those who think a few more shops on the beachfront are the answer to the problems of a failed city shopping centre block and the detriment it brings on the precinct.”
The submission slams the proposed lease extension application as “spurious” and occurring “at the 11th hour”.
The Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce, sitting area councillor Darren Taylor and retired councillor Gary Baildon oppose any extension – and support a big redevelopment.
Mr Baildon has said a lease extension will be “over my dead body” and it is imperative the land returned to public hands.
Mr James: “I would be amazed if council extended it (the lease).
“You put back the two acre plaza there – leaving the old square box surf club there would be a failure in my mind – you should clean the whole lot out and give free access to everybody.
“The surf club itself would be what I call an Ocean House on the beachfront, plus a first responders-type building with an Opera House effect, an eye-catcher.
“People actually tell you with effervescence they haven’t been to Surfers for 30 years and there’s no reason to go. The locals don’t go. A few more shops won’t do the job.”
The council’s Governance and Administration Committee consider the extension on Thursday in a closed session listed as “application for surrender of lease and grant of new lease – Fidante Partners Services Ltd – council land fronting the Paradise Centre”.
Challenger Group has been contacted for comment.
‘EYESORE’ MALL PLANS ‘MUST BE REJECTED’
AGHAST Glitter Strip leaders are uniting against a renewed push by an eyesore Surfers Paradise shopping centre on prime public beachfront for a multi-decade lease extension.
Pressure is growing on the Gold Coast City Council to reject – for a second time in 18 months – a fresh push to extend the lease on Crown land fronting the Paradise Centre.
The land has been controlled by the centre operators since 1981 and there are calls for council to revamp the tired, run down area to be a giant public showpiece plaza and in the words of Surfers identity Billy James – “make Surfers Paradise great again”.
The Paradise Centre has a 50-year lease on the land which expires in June 2031.
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But there is widespread concern in Surfers about a new long lease extension on the site – considered by many to be an eyesore that does Surfers’ status as a tourism hotspot no favours – being granted. Council’s Governance and Administration Committee considers on Thursday the quietly-lodged renewed application.
But opposition is mounting including from Mr James on behalf of Surfers Paradise Surf Club who wants the beachfront redeveloped, sitting councillor Darren Taylor, the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce and retired councillor Gary Baildon.
Mr Baildon was blunt about council granting a lease extension: “Over my dead body”.
The long-serving former mayor fought a bitter battle alongside Mr James to shoot down a previous attempt by the centre to extend its lease and said his efforts should not be in vain.
“This land must be returned to the ownership and control of the people and I would hope councillors work in the interests of their constituents on this matter,” Mr Baildon said. “It was a travesty of justice the 50-year deal was done back in the 1980s and I do not want to die not having sorted this out because it is the community’s land. That’s why I am so passionate.”
Mr Baildon said he hoped to see the land become a large public square akin to Brisbane’s King George Square.
Ex Development and Housing Minister Russ Hinze signed off the land – at that stage parkland – to Eddy Kornhauser. He was the original developer of the Paradise Centre in mid-1981 when the famed Grundy’s water slides were built. But the area has become increasingly run-down in recent years and a big multi-million upgrade proposed in 2018 by the Paradise Centre’s owner, Challenger Group, failed to eventuate.
Council last year rejected an offer for a new 30-year lease of the land just south of Cavill Mall at the beachfront.
Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall has made a submission against the proposed new lease and called on council to make a decision.
“The Paradise Centre is part of the DNA of the Gold Coast but the sooner we get out of this shackle and set up for a masterplan the better.
“While 10 years is far away, it is vital that we the people regain ownership and responsibility for this and to say it is outdate is an understatement.
“Imagine having a world-class centre back in central Surfers Paradise again and how great that would be.”
In 2017, the whole site was worth $38 million and could provide for an annual rent return of $2.28 million but council was warned that, given the constraints on the existing lease, the site was downgraded to $7.8 million with annual rental worth $420,000 excluding rates.
In 2018 the Paradise Centre filed plans with council to turn transform the area into a trendy dining precinct with new bars, restaurants and public space.
New area councillor Darren Taylor is developing a Surfers masterplan and said that Paradise Centre Crown land would be a key element.
“It is important we do not jump the gun and not give this away when we have an opportunity to re-look at it as part of the revitalisation of Surfers Paradise. Personally I do not believe now is the time to be talking about giving someone another 30-year lease.
“It was 40 years ago the public lost control of this land and we do not want to be going down that path again.
“The centre has another 10 years and to just give it away without serious consideration of the impacts in the long-term would be dangerous.”
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