Wavebreak Island: Inside Southport Yacht Club’s $10m development plan

A leading Gold Coast club pitched a controversial $10m plan to redevelop Wavebreak Island to feature a deep water harbour, clubhouse and townhouse complex. FIND OUT WHY

Wavebreak Island has been a popular destination for boaties since it was created in the 1980s.

Many times over the past 30 years it has been in the crosshairs of developers who have been keen to pitch a new look for the island.

One such proposal was made 25 years ago this week when a Gold Coast yacht club wanted to build a $10m deep water harbour, clubhouse and townhouse complex.

The plan called for a bridge from Marine Pde near the junction of Burrows St at Biggera Waters across to the northwest tip of the island.

Wavebreak Island Picture Mike Batterham

For the proposal to go ahead, it was agreed that extensive dredging and reclamation work was needed and the northwest section of the island be extended to take in the harbour.

Talks were held between the Gold Coast Cruising Yacht Club officials and officers from the Department of Natural Resources, Queensland Transport and the Gold Coast City Council.

The talks began in August 1998 and came just 18 months after businessman Lloyd Bend pitched his plan for a $180m, 109-metre tall statue of a surf lifesaving clubbie standing on top of a recreation of Uluru, measuring 200m long, 140m wide and 55m tall.

Artist impression of the proposed Big Clubbie of Wavebreak Island (1997)

It failed to get off the ground but Club Commodore Betty Dunn told the Bulletin at the time their whole plan was designed to benefit the public, not just the club.

“The bridge will open up the island to everyone and the club will be responsible for keeping the island clean,” she said.

“At the moment the island can only be used by a select few – if you aren’t rich enough to own a boat you can’t go there.”

It was the second plan to target the island at that time.

Previously, leading architect Desmond Brooks had held talks with council officials about using it as the base for a visiting cruise ship terminal.

Part of that deal would have included works to stabilise the southern end of South Stradbroke Island.

An artist impression of a proposed Wavebreak Island development planned for the Gold Coast in October 1998

The yacht club’s plans called for most of the island to be left in its existing state but with garbage and toilet facilities to cater for the increasing number of people projected to be using it.

The club wanted to be allowed to build 42 luxury apartments, 20 townhouses and a convenience store on the island to pay for the other works.

“Unlike other clubs this one can’t be built in stages,” Ms Dunn said.

“It’s a boots-and-all proposal.

“Because we have to spend so much money in the early stages we have to finish the job completely for it to be viable.”

The plan proposed a 550m harbour, 150m wide and with a navigable depth of 4.5m at low water.

Seven marina arms would have 189 berths ranging from 10m to 30m in length.

The harbour entrance would have faced north to take advantage of the naturally formed deep water channels which ran along the northern tip.

All buildings would have been restricted to two stories.

The $4.9 billion dollar cruise ship proposal for Wavebreak Island unveiled by Sembawang of Singapore came to nought.

Ms Dunn said the clubhouse would have been “very modest”.

“We have included sewage pump-out facilities on the marina with mandatory connections for those who wish to stay on their boats,” she said.

“The club would have employed a resident caretaker, bar and administrative staff, a harbour master and a security team.

Their proposal never gained support from civic leaders and it wasn’t until the early 2010s that several plans were put forward to develop the Island, including from Singapore developer Sembawang and ASF.

Wavebreak Island remains undeveloped today.