Inside story: Multi-millionaires make their pitch in the sand to coucil for a Gold Coast beach club

The Sheraton Mirage, Golden Door, Kurrawa, Burleigh and Coolangatta are all on the table for beach bars. Read how it’s going to play out and about the driving forces

What’s the next step for a beach bar on the Gold Coast? Is it a decision for council or will the state government make the call? Dig a bit in the sand and it gets muddy.

The city’s biggest green debate started with a Land Management Plan (LMP) for Kurrawa – where a beach bar trial was conducted in 2022.

The LMP includes a beach club option on the hardstand area at the Terrace. Community consultation finished on Thursday.

My council insider makes it clear the story does not begin and end at Broadbeach.

“If it can’t happen at Kurrawa for whatever reasons, we’ve had very serious push from some very serious businessmen – multi-millionaires (at other sites). We won’t be wedded that it has to be at Kurrawa at all costs. There are other options,” the insider says.

The beach bar trial at Kurrawa on the Gold Coast - visitors on the foreshore deck.

Alternative sites include Coolangatta and two on The Spit – think Golden Door through to Sheraton Mirage. Burleigh is also expected to come into play.

Speaking to several sources, the Government’s future role remains less clear.

In the early stages of the Kurrawa trial, those at council supporting a beach club were frustrated by “red tape” involving state bureaucrats.

City officers are now talking positively about reforms to the Land Act in April.

Council as trustees for land have been given the option to assess and approve their own LMPs. Ministerial approval is not needed.

But if trials are pursued on other sites, the Minister must then sign off on the permit.

Where to from here? A report on community consultation on Kurrawa will be presented for debate among councillors in September or November.

The beach bar at Kurrawa on the Gold Coast after the council staged a trial.

Depending on the councillor vote, the City can approve or go to the Minister. If it goes alone, the proponent must put forward an application for approval under the City Plan.

This means councillors must vote on it first at a planning committee, where they decide how long the lease should be, and what can be put on the site.

How will councillors vote? It’s impossible to answer, and community and environmental groups strongly opposed are lobbying the new councillors elected in March.

In June 2022, only councillors Brooke Patterson, Peter Young, Bob La Castra and Daphne McDonald voted against the beach bar trial at Kurrawa.

Cr Patterson now says she must have an “open and persuadable” mind on fresh applications.

Councillor Brooke Patterson (left) and Save Our Spit’s Steve Gration at odds about a beach bar planned for the Gold Coast.

Cr Josh Martin who was elected after Ms McDonald retired says he will review applications to use public land on a “case-by-case basis”.

Robina’s Dan Doran says he has “no pre-determined views” having not been presented with any proposals or reports. Helensvale’s Naomi Fowler takes a similar view.

Labrador’s Joe Wilkinson is waiting for a briefing. Nick Marshall who won Miami is opposed.

On my count, there are six votes for “strongly in favour” headed by Mayor Tom Tate and his Deputy Donna Gates, four firmly against and five – they are sitting on a beach fence.

Cr Glenn Tozer says he supports a model which “would not impact more than 2 per cent of the available beach foreshore and not more than 0.5 per cent for any one installation”.

Those final maths are way beyond me. Anyone for a drink at Kurrawa Surf Club?

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Originally published as Inside story: Multi-millionaires make their pitch in the sand to coucil for a Gold Coast beach club