Residents ‘so gutted’ as park facilities destroyed

GOLD Coast Hinterland residents say they are devastated after the Environment Department demolished historic picnic shelters and a toilet block to create a green space at Numinbah.

About 20 residents formed a blockade on Wednesday in a last-minute bid to save facilities at the popular swimming hole at the Numinbah Forest Park, just south of the township. Resident Danni Yaun in a Facebook update to the community said the fight would continue to have the park reinstated after the bulldozers smashed facilities.

She told the Bulletin a petition to be presented to state parliament by Mudgeeraba MP Ros Bates to protect the park had been signed by 2725 people and was gathering support.

“This (the shelter) was a beautiful piece of art. We feel so gutted … what they have done just makes no sense. We could have all come up with answers to keep our cultural history,” Ms Yaun said.

“The minister claims she is giving the community green space to be enjoyed all year round. That’s what we bloody well had and was shared by many Gold Coast families and beyond. As our sorrow turns to rage and anger we will fight for our park to be reinstated.”

Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch, in a response to Ms Bates, said the Government was committed to providing quality visitor experiences within Springbrook National Park and in recent years had invested in excess of $3 million to upgrade visitor facilities.

The picnic area was popular with locals and visitors.