Surfers’ identity crisis

Push to move clubs as family, party zones clash

CITY leaders say the Gold Coast must properly address relocating its party precinct away from the midst of family-friendly tourism hub Surfers Paradise.

The radical plan was first floated by real estate identity Andrew Bell five years ago – and the Ray White Surfers Paradise CEO still believes nightclubs should be moved to Southport.

Coast-based Federal Tourism Minister Steve Ciobo is also calling for a rethink, saying the city’s main party zone and its family-friendly centre cannot coexist and thrive.

“You cannot successfully have a family, fine-dining upmarket area and then also expect that to flip at 9pm into a nightclub and strip club zone,” Mr Ciobo said.

“The city has a rich tradition of both. But the problem is these two are trying to coexist in one location and council should consult with community and develop a long-term plan that gets a better balance.

“What we need is to have a clear delineation between party zone and family zone.

“Anytime you try and combine the two together it’s going to be a mess.”

Mr Bell said every great city had a decent party precinct and he was supportive of the Coast’s night-life economy but it wasn’t compatible with being family-friendly.

“I want that part of our economy to prosper,” he said, but suggested venues down party strip Orchid Avenue be incentivised to move to Southport near China Town, the light rail and hospitals.

“The State Government needs to come on board and relax the stricter aspects of licensing in Southport to incentivise clubs to move. Venues have spent large amounts of money and are not just going to voluntarily move.”

The comments come after Desmond Brooks, the architect behind the design of landmark buildings including Palazzo Versace and Soul tower, called for Surfers’ “trashy, sleaze joints” to be punted to Bundall.

LNP Member for Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek said relocation was a massive undertaking.

“Moving is a nice concept, but I don’t really know what the answer is because it’s too late – this was decided decades ago,” he said.

“The Government doesn’t really have the money to subsidise landlords to get the clubs out of where they are.”

Hollywood Showgirls strip club owner Craig Duffy said: “The answer isn’t moving businesses that serve alcohol. The answer is fix it with toilets, ban pub crawls, etc. This is the problem. (Mr Brooks) is right but his solutions are wrong.”