Gold Coast development: Controversial resorts, golf courses and towers planned for The Spit
More than $7bn worth of developments were proposed by some of Australia’s best-known developers for a Gold Coast location but none got approved. FIND OUT WHY.
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THE opening of Palazzo Versace in September 2000 was one of the most glamorous nights in the Gold Coast’s history.
It was the city’s first six-star hotel and marked a major turning point for The Spit.
In the past two weeks the Bulletin has delved into the history of The Spit over the past 50 years and the vast range of ambitious and frequently bizarre developments that were pitched.
Some, like Marina Mirage and Fisherman’s Wharf were built, while others, including a golf course and IndyCar street circuit, were shot down.
This week concludes with a look at the 21st-century rush to develop the precinct and why none of the big-budget projects got off the ground.
Through the late 1990s and early 2000s there was a raft of new ideas, including building an amphitheatre in Doug Jennings Park, a maritime museum, a floating restaurant, a water park and swimming enclosure, gardens and waterfront restaurants and a lookout.
The southern end of The Spit around Marina Mirage would have featured three-bedroom waterfront villas, restaurants and cafes, a beach cultural centre, a community centre, an Aboriginal culture park, a plaza and a swimming lagoon, many of which would have been situated in Philip Park.
In 2003 the state government commissioned a feasibility study into a cruise ship terminal in response to various unsolicited proposals for The Spit, Wavebreak Island and on the ocean side.
Among those agitating for this development was a consortium led by former National Party state secretary Mike Evans.
It was this era of proposals that led to the creation of the Save Our Spit Alliance (SOSA), which has been at the forefront of opposition to development on The Spit since 2003.
The design put forward by Mr Evans was revealed in April 2005. It was a $1bn, 20-year masterplanned development that included a cruise ship terminal, superyacht facility, 500-berth marina, a new bridge linking Southport to Main Beach and a hotel.
By February 2006, nine major consortiums, including Raptis Group, Sunland and Multiplex, had submitted expressions of interest for the project.
The Beattie government would shelve the project entirely in late 2006 ahead of the state election.
The sledgehammer blow of the global financial crisis in the late 2000s cooled the development industry and it wasn’t until the mid-2010s, the mayoralty of Tom Tate and the Campbell-Newman state government that major new proposals were again considered.
In early 2014, developer ASF was named as the government’s “possible preferred proponent” and unveiled plans for a cruise ship terminal that would have included Doug Jennings Park and Wavebreak Island.
The highly controversial project sparked strong opposition, forcing ASF to redesign the project to remove the terminal from The Spit.
The project was terminated by the newly elected Labor government in 2015 after making an election commitment to protect the Broadwater.
However, it allowed ASF to pitch a new development.
In late 2016 the Sydney-based company unveiled its $3bn integrated resort complex – a five-tower mega project that included a casino on Crown land.
This too would be cancelled by the state government, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk saying in 2017 that public consultation showed the community did not want a casino or high-rises on the SeaWorld Drive land.
Meanwhile, Sunland, which had been successful with Palazzo Versace, came up against enormous resistance when it proposed its most ambitious project – the $600m twin-tower 44-storey Mariner precinct at Mariner’s Cove.
The Dame Zaha Hadid-designed towers were to have 370 apartments, offices, a boutique hotel, restaurants, an art museum and an aquarium.
It too was met with enormous resistance from the community and the company withdrew it from consideration.
Decades of development on The Spit as a political football largely came to an end with the state government, council and community development of a masterplan that locked in a hard three-storey height limit in the area.
In the past year, more than $500m worth of low-rise luxury developments have been unveiled.
While Mr Tate continues to push for a cruise ship terminal of Philip Park, there has been no political will from the state government to return to the wars over the future of The Spit.
PART ONE: Spit golf course proposal a ‘planning monstrosity’
More than $500m in development is in the pipeline for The Spit.
The Spit Masterplan, developed over several years with significant engagement from the community, has allowed for development in the southern areas while keeping the area north of Sea World free of the towers.
This year has been a hotbed of activity for the area, including the unveiling of two developments and opening of a long-awaited superyacht terminal.
In December 2021, developer Gordon Corporation, headed by experienced builder Tim Gordon, filed plans with the council for Village Centre, a $100m, three-storey residential project to go on an empty site next to Mariner’s Cove.
This week, Melbourne-based developers Pelligra Group and Giannarelli Group revealed they were planning to build a three-storey precinct that would include a six-star branded hotel, floating beach club, more than 5000sq m of restaurants and bars and a “white glove” superyacht marina.
The developers have bought the precinct’s lease in an off-market sale from its owner Ridong, which was planning its own $100m Chinese-themed seafood market, dining precinct and aquatic entertainment centre.
They are the latest steps in more than 50 years of controversial development plans.
In 1971, developer Keith Williams secured 50ha on The Spit from the state government to build his Skiland park and dredged out an artificial lake.
The doors opened on October 30, 1971 and it proved an immediate hit.
Less than a year later the attraction’s name was changed to Sea World and it grew into one of the Gold Coast’s biggest theme parks.
Fast-forward to the early 1980s and another theme park joined the fray.
The site of the Bird Life Park was bought in 1981 by Hans Van der Drift, a veteran Gold Coast small goods manufacturer, who wanted to try his hand at something radically different.
With a theme park in his possession, Mr Van der Drift shifted focus away from birds to Spanish horses and the redeveloped site became Andalucia Park.
Andalucia Park was heavily featured in marketing for the Gold Coast through the early 1980s in conjunction with its contemporaries – Magic Mountain and Grundy’s. But like the former, it was beset by financial problems and struggled with rapidly rising costs, despite entertaining big crowds.
Mr Van der Drift, facing financial difficulties, filed a development application with the Gold Coast City Council to build The Lagoons, a three-storey resort on the 4.23ha site that would feature up to 400 rooms. The project was approved and international chains were wooed for the project through 1984. The Sheraton was one of the interested parties.
In 1985, publicly traded company Qintex, headed by business mogul Christopher Skase, bought the site from Mr Van der Drift for up to $9m. Skase announced he would spend $50m to build a resort, something he realised two years later with the opening of the luxurious Sheraton Mirage.
But Skase dreamt of something far larger – he wanted to transform the entirety of The Spit into a golf course in a bid to cater to the highly lucrative Japanese tourist market of the era.
Council approved the Mirage in 1986 but told Skase he had no hope in hell of getting his golf course approved.
Alderman Athol Paterson blasted Skase for attempting to push the envelope.
“Tennis courts, a pool and a golf course were all sited on land that belongs to the public,” he said.
“We were told that Mr Skase had a proposal for an international golf tournament to be played on the course.
”It was explained to the architect that council would never approve such a plan and that the developer should revert to his original proposal.”
Conflict again erupted in 1987 when it became clear the Gold Coast Waterways Authority and the council had conflicting development plans for the area.
In May of that year, the Waterways Authority called for tenders for the “world’s most beautiful golf course’’ on 50ha reclaimed on the tip of South Stradbroke Island.
It was expected the Sheraton-Mirage Hotel would seek this to add to its concept of a “total resort’’.
Queensland University town planner Phil Day called it a “planning monstrosity’’.
In 1989, the council moved to rezone the island to prevent the golf course from being built.
Planning committee chairman Alderman Lester Hughes said it was time to halt speculation on the island’s future.
PART TWO: Controversial development ‘against everything we stand for’
Development on the southern end of The Spit went into overdrive in the 1980s as some of the city’s most famous luxury resorts and projects took shape.
With impossible-to-replicated views of the Broadwater and ocean, developers circled with big dreams.
Part one of the Bulletin’s look back at development in the area charted the dramatic changes to the area from the 1960s to the 1980s, including Sea World, Andalucia Park, The Sheraton Mirage and business mogul Christopher Skase’s controversial attempt to build a golf course.
Part two picks up with the creation of one of the city’s beloved music and shopping venues, Fisherman’s Wharf.
The brainchild of Brisbane-based developer and dentist Dr Nick Girdis, it was built and opened in 1983, and became an immediate hit.
Among those to perform there were INXS, Midnight Oil, the Violent Femmes, Nirvana, Joe Cocker and Jimmy Barnes.
By the late 1980s, Fisherman’s Wharf was joined by Skase’s famous Marina Mirage complex, the Mariner’s Cove centre and Sea World’s Nara Resort.
The area largely was unchanged for the next decade.
However, several highly controversial proposals were flagged.
In early 1990, the Project Design Finance Corporation pitched plans to the Gold Coast City Council for a multimillion-dollar park and motor raceway on 125ha of Crown land at The Spit to become the permanent host of the Indy carnival.
Project design co-ordinator William Shillingford said at the time the company would spend more than $20m on the Gold Coast Pacific Park, which was to have a 4.3km scenic drive for conversion to a race circuit, an aquatic stadium, marina, restaurant, car parks and amphitheatre.
But then-Mayor Lex Bell and then-Environment Minister Pat Comben were aghast at the proposal.
“The council thought the proposal was most unfavourable and there were too many environmental issues involved,” Ald Bell said.
Mr Comben described it as being “against everything we stand for in terms of coastal protection”.
The council voted it down.
Further developments proposed in the early 1990s led to then-Southport councillor and future MP Peter Lawlor to call for the state government to block further large-scale projects.
He described the issue as a “ticking time bomb”.
“If it had not been for the recession there would have been great pressure for the council to approve something in the nature of a low-rise resort or hotel,” he said.
There was one person who still favoured greater development – Sea World founder Keith Williams, who in 1992 claimed The Spit had “become a breeding ground for perverts and hobos” and he wouldn’t let his wife walk there.
A year later the Goss government considered reviving 1980s-era plans for a citywide monorail system that would run from Broadbeach to The Spit, but the project never proceeded.
By the late 1990s, the southern Spit remained a hive of activity, but one of its key venues was in deep trouble.
Despite being a great place to go, Fisherman’s Wharf itself was struggling and repeatedly changed hands.
It was finally sold to developer Sunland Group, which announced in late 1997 that the complex would close in January 1998 after a final series of concerts.
Sunland said it initially planned to demolish the building to create a $200m four-star hotel.
This was soon dumped after the company signed a deal with the Italy-based House of Versace to build the first fashion hotel.
Fisherman’s Wharf went out with a bang on January 4, 1998 with a Jimmy Barnes-led concert.
Fisherman’s Wharf was gone later that year and the site would become a construction site.
The Palazzo Versace hotel opened in September 2000.
But as a new millennium dawned, more developers began to circle The Spit
Next week: War to save The Spit
First look: $480m luxury resort to replace Coast shopping centre
The ageing Mariner’s Cove shopping centre on The Spit will be demolished to make way for a $480m luxury “avant-garde” lifestyle precinct.
Melbourne-based developers Pelligra Group and Giannarelli Group have unveiled plans for a three-storey precinct that will include a six-star branded hotel, floating beach club, more than 5000sq m of restaurants and bars. and a “white glove” superyacht marina.
The developers have bought the precinct’s lease in an off-market sale from its owner, Ridong which was planning its own $100m Chinese-themed seafood market, dining precinct and aquatic entertainment centre.
These plans have now been scrapped, and the new development completed by late-2025.
The four-hectare site is owned by the Crown. The lease runs out in the early 22nd century.
“We are exceptionally excited to embark on this joint venture,” Pelligra Group chairman Ross Pelligra said. “High-end developments like this not only draw in more tourism, but also provide jobs and fuel the economy overall, making the Gold Coast an exceptionally appealing place for both work and play.”
Leading developer Sunland Group bought the site’s lease and in 2015 unveiled plans for a giant $600m twin tower project, The Mariner.
However, this was abandoned in the face of significant political and community opposition. The area has a strict three-storey limit.
Ridong bought the lease from Sunland in July 2020 for more than $28m.
Pelligra Group and Giannarelli Group say their 170-room hotel will be operated by a “globally renowned” brand, but will not reveal its identity.
A development application will be submitted to the Gold Coast City Council this year.
The development is expected to feature berths for up to 60 superyachts, and passengers given access to Rolls Royce golf buggies to travel between vessels and the hotel.
Its other features will include a 2000sq m rooftop event space, 900sq m ballroom and restaurants, as well as a 40m infinity pool.
Mr Pelligra said he and Mr Giannarelli decided to push ahead with the development because of the city’s post-Covid population boom.
“The Gold Coast has always held appeal, but now, with Queensland experiencing its biggest population boom in 16 years, the quality of development and investment is taking on a whole new energy, especially in and around Main Beach,” he said.
“We believe our project is going to be the final string in the bow and will make a mark on the Gold Coast as one of the greatest luxury destinations in the world.”
The development is the second of its kind to be pitched for the area in six months.
In December, developer Gordon Corporation, headed by experienced builder Tim Gordon, filed plans with the council for Village Centre, a $100m, three-storey residential project planned for an empty site next to Mariner’s Cove.
Big shake-up for South Stradbroke eco-resort
Plans for a luxury nature-based resort on South Stradbroke Island have changed, with tents to be replaced by indigenous-inspired “gunyahs” overlooking the Broadwater.
Exclusive images provided to the Bulletin show copper cladding mirroring traditional paperbark that covered a typical Aboriginal bush hut.
As public advertising for community responses for the project closed at 4pm on Friday, indigenous leaders voiced their support for the $40m Pandana South Stradbroke Island project.
“Pandana has taken appropriate steps regarding cultural-heritage compliance over the past two years,” said Wesley Aird, director of Cultural Heritage Compliance Authority Jabree Ltd. “Their team has consistently updated Jabree on the project’s evolution and design process and we’ve been delighted to be part of that consultation process.
“The indigenous-inspired accommodation is an excellent example of appropriate cultural heritage appreciation.
“The design beautifully reflects the region and the island’s history. It’s clever, appropriate and supports the island’s key attributes.”
Under the new plans, the former wedding and function venue An Island Hideaway at McLaren’s Landing will include:
● 28 eco-friendly, luxurious glamping structures with individual bathroom facilities on 230m of west-facing beachfront.
● A world-class food and beverage offering is planned for guests tapping into the rich produce areas of Moreton, Stradbroke and wider southeast Queensland.
● A food and beverage offering designed for day visitors and recreational boat visitors, nature-based conferencing, events and weddings, marine eco-tourism and cultural tourism led by traditional landowners.
Pandana Holdings director Hamish Jordan said the company resubmitted its development plans in February, after council’s response to the initial March 2021 application.
“This evolved design allows for a more diverse range of operational offerings that better suit the location, including overnight luxury glamping accommodation,” he said.
Mr Jordan said Pandana engaged Jabree in early 2020.
“After a preliminary survey, a detailed subsurface survey was conducted on the site area, and a cultural heritage compliance certificate issued for the proposed Pandana project,” he said.
Councillors are expected to make a decision on the project in either June or July.
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