Weekend Gold Coast Bulletin

Residents all revved up

Supercheap stir at golf club

- MELANIE WHITING

ARUNDEL residents have slammed the use of an important wildlife corridor for the filming of an advertisem­ent featuring revving cars and stunt manoeuvres.

Supercheap Auto has privately hired the dilapidate­d Arundel Hills Country Club site as the backdrop for its new national advertisin­g campaign.

The once prestigiou­s country club has sat vacant since it collapsed in May with debts of up to $5.73m.

The course is an important wildlife corridor for kangaroos and koalas.

Supercheap Auto will film its “golf and motoring” themed advertisem­ent at the site from November 17 to 22.

A spokesman said filming would involve the use of profession­al drivers performing stunt manoeuvres around the course under controlled conditions with some “revving car” noise.

The planned use of the club site has angered residents liv

ing nearby, with many taking to social media to air their complaints.

“What a joke,” one resident wrote.

“Obviously it’s an unfortunat­e turn of events for people living in the near vicinity,” another said.

“Strange use of sports and recreation zoned land,” another resident fumed.

A fellow resident questioned: “How can they guarantee no animals will be harmed?”

A Supercheap Auto spokesman said it would work with Gold Coast-based Wild Encounters on a wildlife management strategy.

A fauna spotter catcher would be present during filming to protect the local kangaroo and koala population­s.

The spokesman said it would limit noise outside the hours of 7am to 5pm and crews would park on-site to reduce congestion.

“There may be moments when you hear cars driving and engines revving,” a notice to residents stated.

“We have notified authoritie­s including Queensland police service and Gold Coast City Council of our filming schedule.

“All cast and crew will park on site and are instructed to keep noise levels to a minimum when arriving and leaving.”

Area councillor Ryan Bayldon-lumsden said city law officers had advised no film permit was required as filming and recording was to take place on private land.

 ?? ?? Arundel Hills Country Club. Picture: Jesse Hamilton
Arundel Hills Country Club. Picture: Jesse Hamilton

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