A spokesperson for the GCOT, speaking to the Courier Mail has said that the revised proposal would benefit the famed Kirra surf break.
“GCOT will also still invest in building a new world-leading sand bypass outlet, which will help recreate the old world-famous Kirra surf break, create new breaks at Bilinga and nourish northern beaches,” he said.
News of beach site casino proposal has only galvanised the resolve of the Save Our Southern Beaches alliance to push for the 38km Gold Coast coastal strip from South Stradbroke to Coolangatta to be declared as a World Surfing Reserve. Spokesperson for SOSBA, Andrew McKinnon said it’s time to follow the lead of the rest of the world.
The battle now turns to listing the 38km strip from South Stradbroke to Coolangatta to be declared as a World Surfing Reserve. Marking a statement at Sunday’s rally. Photo by Simon Williams“Our new mission is to protect the 38km Gold Coast coastal strip from South Stradbroke to Coolangatta by having it declared as a World Surfing Reserve! This has been done successfully in Peru, South America, which has been listed as a World Surfing Reserve, and where the Peruvian Government have legislated to protect their surf breaks in October 2013. We will formulate a similar policy to take to Federal, State and local Governments to adopt and protect the beach and surfing amenity from commercial development on public beachfront land.”
World Champion Mick Fanning at Sunday’s paddle out has been a vocal supporter of the campaign. Photo by SOSBA/Peter Joli WilsonOn Sunday a 2500 strong crowd gathered at Kirra beach with SOSBA organisers for a peaceful paddle opposed to a public land grab on Gold Coast Beaches. But due to the pumping 1.5 Easterly swell and strong current, SOSBA asked participants to form the letters WSR, meaning World Surfing Reserve instead.
According to a press release from SOSBA, World Champions Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson attended the North Kirra rally and backed the organisers call for a World Surfing Reserve on the Gold Coast coastal strip.
“We need to protect our Coastline from these type of developments and not find in 10 -15 years that we are fighting all over again,” said 2012 World Champion Joel Parkinson.
In breaking news Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has ruled out a beach site casino bids on the Gold Coast. Speaking with the ABC, the Premier has declared that he would not approve anything that would impact on public beachfront land or effect surf life saving clubs.
Cyclone season may be upon us but attention is focused on saving the Gold Coast beaches. Photo by Simon Williams“Some of the things I am being asked, I am hearing from this lobby group, would actually impact negatively on surf clubs,” he said.
“So you need to be very careful about some of these proposals but I am saying there will be no cruise ship terminal on the southern part of the Gold Coast or indeed on any part of the Gold Coast that impacts on the beaches.
“We would not be interested in a proposal for a casino on public land on the beach on any part of the Gold Coast basically on the sand dunes or something like that.”
Tracks will keep you informed as more news comes to hand.
