World-first committee to advise council on managing our waves

SURFERS not only rule the waves but now they rule the Gold Coast beaches as well, with power to influence development near the city’s surf ­reserves.

Snapper Rocks from this weekends swell. Please credit the image Tony Harrington/Harroart.com My number is 0427427761

SURFERS not only rule the waves but now they rule the Gold Coast beaches as well, with power to influence development near the city’s surf ­reserves.

A new committee of surfers, boaties and environmentalists has been formed to advise the Gold Coast City Council on anything that could affect “surf amenity or access”.

This could range from sand pumping operations to highrise developments that the committee believes will lure too many people and lead to overcrowded surf.

Barrels were had and surfboards were snapped as heavy swell arrived at Snapper Rocks. Picture: Luke Marsden.

The world-first committee will be chaired by a surfing politician and comes after Burleigh to the Queensland border was last October declared a World Surfing Reserve.

As the new Gold Coast Surf Management Plan was officially endorsed at Currumbin yesterday, Burleigh councillor Greg Betts, who will chair the committee, said it was a major breakthrough. “Now we can address conflict-of-use issues that affect surfers,” he said.

He said surf management had been overlooked in the past, including when the world-renowned wave at Kirra Point was lost for some years after changes were made to the beach.

A world-first committee will advise council on managing our waves. Picture: Scott Fletcher

“This way we won’t have another Kirra,” he said.

The committee will also look at the regulation and use of Currumbin Creek entrance, the Gold Coast Seaway and is also to seek State Government recognition of “surf amenity”.

Gold Coast World Surfing Reserves patron, former world surfing champion Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, said it was a “no-brainer” that a fast-growing surf city should manage its waves for the long term.

“We have to be responsible with balancing the needs of all groups that use the water,” he said.

Mick Fanning goes for a surf at Snapper Rocks. Picture: Luke Marsden.

“Now our biggest asset, the beach, is fully recognised we will be able to manage it properly.”

Queensland Environment Minister Stephen Miles said he was proud of the work campaigners had put in having the area declared a world surf ­reserve.

He credited World Surf Reserves campaigner Andrew McKinnon as the driving force.

Mr McKinnon said it took a few years of hard work to get state and local politicians on the same page and he was still excited to get it over the line.

At Currumbin Alley, surfer Broed Dillewaard, 28, said he travelled to the Gold Coast regularly from Sydney to surf and said the point breaks could not be beaten.

He said it was about time the waves were officially recognised.

“There is just no comparison with Sydney,” he said.

“This place needs to be well protected.”

The surf management plan can be found at goldcoast.qld.gov.au/documents/bf/surf-management-plan.pdf