Fears over sand safety
HEAVY machinery began removing sand from Greenmount Beach without putting up a protection zone for sunbakers and swimmers, according to a complaint to the council.
The Bulletin has obtained the complaint, made under Workplace Health and Safety, where the resident on Thursday sent videos.
“Gold Coast Council are operating heavy earth moving machines up and down the beach, while beach goers are sunbathing, with no separation for safety,” the resident said.
“This worksite needs to be shut down immediately and those responsible need to be held personally responsible, fined and charged with criminal negligence.”
Asked if they had complained to the machine operators, the resident replied: “Yes. I was told to f… off and mind my own business.”
Friends of Currumbin secretary Gloria Baker confirmed the complaint had been made but the resident wished to remain anonymous. A rally from 10am today will focus on the council and development.
A council spokesperson confirmed the City had received the complaint and “we will be investigating”.
A Bulletin report late this week included photographs and video footage showing how dunes at Greenmount were being removed to provide sand for practice volleyball courts for the Commonwealth Games at Coolangatta.
Emails show Surfrider Foundation president Greg Howell has written to area councillor Gail O’Neill asking why the community was not consulted.
“Council’s lack of community engagement desperately needs assessing. The approach to assessing sand stocks was dismal. Isn’t this why we have a massive sand stock reserve at The Spit,” he wrote.
In a response to stakeholders, Councillor O’Neill admitted she was not privy to every decision made to ensure delivery of the Games.
“Councillors do have briefings in regard to Commonwealth Games but sometimes these briefings are on the eve or at other times at the same time as public announcements are made,” she wrote.
“I was made aware that sand would be relocated from Greenmount Beach with state approval to improve the volleyball courts only late last week.
“But I was not given any more detailed information on the scope of the works.
“As I have now been made aware this was obviously a request made by (Games organisers) GOLDOC in relation to the event.”