South Stradbroke Protected! (Latest Update - July 2011)

The Gold Coast community is jubilant at the decision by the Queensland Government on Friday August 3, 2007 to protect South Straddie and the surrounding area from development for the future enjoyment of residents and visitors. Those involved in the campaign to protect the area are happy to see the atmosphere and open spaces protected from the proposed shipping terminal and super-yacht marina.

Surfers and beach-goers are very involved in the campaign and as we can see from the progress they have made, their hard work is paying off. Gecko - Gold Coast and Hinterland Environment Council spokesperson, Lois Levy, said "There has been an enormous community-wide effort to secure lasting protection for the Spit as a green space for the enjoyment of residents and visitors."

Despite this victory, there is still no formal protection (as in zoning changes) that will protect it from future development submissions. This is something that the “Save Our Spit” campaign, an organization working to protect the area from any development, is continuing to work toward. 

Background of the Issue

To the relief of Gold Coast surfers, the channel separating South Straddie from the mainland is no longer being considered as a site for a future cruise ship terminal, and the waves there appear safe, at least for now. In August 2006, the Deputy Premier announced that the Government would not be proceeding with the Gold Coast Cruise Ship Terminal. The announcement followed a hugely successful campaign by local citizens and environmental groups, which staged three protest rallies and a petition with over 25,000 signatures, in opposition of the plan. A preliminary EIS [Environmental Impact Statement] which was prepared for the government showed them that the environmental, social and economic impacts of the terminal were severe and unacceptable.

In surfer’s terms, the size of the dredging project could have altered the sand flow patterns to such a degree as to downgrade the quality of the waves, and the project would have also raised water pollution levels around the break. So, as it stands now, the waves at South Straddie are saved and we live to fight another day! HOWEVER, the Government still considered the construction of a large super-yacht marina just inside the mouth of the Nerang River, on public land currently used by the community for recreation.

Locals continued to oppose this aspect of the Government’s plans, arguing that this valuable coastal environment should be preserved for use by future generations, not sold off to developers. "The super yacht marina does not include dredging on the scale of the cruise ship terminal, but will still attract up to 350 very large yachts and provide shore based facilities for marina berths," says Alletson. "In addition, it is intended to construct commercial facilities and provide water, sewage and fuel, all of which will have an impact on water quality."