Surfers Paradise becomes Schoolies ‘no party zone’ as body corporates ban boozefests in luxury towers

LUXURY accommodation towers on the Gold Coast are putting up the “No Party Sign” in the first shots in the war against this year’s Schoolies.

LUXURY accommodation towers on the Gold Coast are putting up the “No Party Sign” in the first shots in the fight against this year’s Schoolies.

The Gold Coast Bulletin has obtained emails sent by the body corporate committee for Q1 warning owners about backing the building’s No Party Policy.

Body corporate committee sources say other luxury towers like the Hilton and Circle on Cavill are likely to follow the Q1’s lead which puts schoolies on notice they will be evicted under the body corporate’s party laws.

The Gold Coast Bulletin last month reported a Schoolies dirt file unit owners sent to the State Government. It showed shocking vandalism at a luxury apartment and serious safety issues from drug use to balcony hopping.

From the Schoolies dirt file — from last year’s event.

“I think you will find most of them have this by-law. You will now be seeing the No Party Policy enforced in these buildings,” the source said.

In the email to Q1 owners, a body corporate consultant said residents under the No Party Policy could have guests but they must show “respect and consideration of everyone else at Q1”.

Security would approach anyone hosting a noisy party in the building and Q1 management had a system in place to fine and evict guests booked.

“We ask any owners who let out their properties, either through other agents or privately, to please ensure that you and your agent advise any persons staying in your apartment of the No Party Policy at Q1,” the consultant wrote.

Schoolies partying on a Thursday night. Picture: Richard Gosling

“In the past Q1 has had unpleasant incidents with schoolies staying in the building. Q1 management have a policy of not taking bookings for schoolies to stay in the building.

“The body corporate committee would appreciate all owners’ assistance in deterring schoolies from staying in the building as it not only affects the peaceful enjoyment of other residents, it also puts security and reputation of the building at risk.”

From a Schoolies dirt file — the security problems created on balconies during the event.

Former Q1 body corporate committee treasurer Ken McCarthy, who is part of a group pushing for reforms, said the building had originally enforced the No Party Policy to stop visiting sporting teams booking up large apartments for drinking marathons each summer.

“We’ve withdrawn the buildings from the Schoolies program. I think more and more buildings will be doing this,” Mr McCarthy said.

Q1 in Surfers Paradise enforces a No Party Policy. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Both the No Party Policy and withdrawing from the Schoolies letting pool would reduce the number of Year 12 school leavers, but some would continue to rent units in the building.

“You can dissuade them all you like but we will still have some schoolies here,” Mr McCarthy said.

“Surfers Paradise has changed in my opinion. It used to be a pretty grotty area. Now you have Soul, Q1, Circle on Cavill — they’re quality resorts.

“Their committees, residents and owners don’t want their properties denigrated and damaged by schoolies.”