Tugun residents apply to State Government to take over part of beach foreshore

BEACHFRONT residents have applied to the State Government to buy part of the foreshore in front of their luxury properties - locking the public out.

Luana Strelan, with her son Kai Kasakewitch, is among many residents who live on the Tugun street where some people are pushing

THE State Government is considering proposals from ocean view Tugun residents who want to buy up beachfront public land in front of their luxury properties.

Golden Four Drive residents want to purchase the public road reserve on the foreshore between their homes and the beach to stop any future footpaths or the Oceanway being built.

If they succeed it could set a precedent for other beachfront property owners to buy public land in front of their homes.

A Department of Natural Resources and Mines spokesman confirmed it had received eight applications to have the road reserve permanently closed and sold off. Each parcel of land is between 180sq m and 210sq m.

The spokesman said public consultation would take place before the department made a decision. If it agrees to close the road, it will go back to the residents with a purchase price.

Luana Strelan, with her son Kai Kasakewitch, is among many residents who live on the Tugun street where some people are pushing to buy part of the foreshore.

The push to buy the land started after the council warned residents it was about to take down illegal encroachments on the public land, such as fences and beach showers.

One resident who is part of the bid to take over land, declined to comment, saying the issue had caused division in the street and some people were becoming vindictive.

Another resident, who declined to be named, said she and other residents had applied to the State Government to close the road reserve, but had not yet made an offer to purchase the land from the State Government.

"Nothing has happened on that part yet," she said.

The resident said the council promised residents in 1996 that the road reserve would never be built on.

She said residents feared if a footpath was built it would devalue properties and increase break-ins.

But Golden Four Drive resident Troy Allsop, who has rented in the street for six years, said he was opposed to private residents taking over the public land.

"People need to share the beach. Nobody owns it," he said.

Tugun resident Troy Allsop is against the plan to buy part of the foreshore.

Mayor Tom Tate said it could set a precedent. if the land was sold to residents or the road reserve closed to the public.

"The State Government will have to think hard on this one," he said.

He said the council had put on hold any moves to remove encroachments until the State Government made its decision.

"I have no thoughts one way or the other," Cr Tate said.

"Whatever position is taken, I'll make sure the dunes and vegetation in front is strong and there's no scarping."

Currumbin MP Jann Stuckey would not say if she supported or opposed plans to take over parts of the foreshore.

"The issue surrounding the Tugun foreshore and proposed Oceanway is complex and has created supporters and opponents among residents and the local community for several years now," she said.

"It is my role as the local member for Currumbin to serve everyone equally. It would be contrary to due process to pre-empt the decision making process of DNRM."

The Gold Coast Oceanway is a 36km network of pathways from the Gold Coast Seaway to Point Danger.

Attempts to connect missing links in the Oceanway and create a continuous oceanfront pathway have been hotly opposed by many beachfront residents.