Surfers rivers of cash run dry

THE Gold Coast Waterways Authority boss admits a stalled Surfers Paradise riverside redevelopment has plenty more to come – just no money to pay for it right now.

Howl at the Moon bar and eatery owner Lou Cerantonio criticised the authority and the council last week for slow progress on the overhaul of the area, saying it was a reason he was selling his business.

Mr Cerantonio, who spent $1 million relocating his popular venue from Broadbeach to Surfers, said the council’s redevelopment plan was the reason he chose the new spot.

But Waterways Authority CEO Hal Morris said despite having a joint masterplan in place with the council, they lacked funding.

“Is there more on the books, more to be done? Yes. Is there money earmarked for it? No,” Mr Morris said.

“Everybody is short of cash. Like us, they will be waiting until there is money in the bank.”

Mr Morris was hopeful of more money once State Government funding for the authority was pinned down.

“We have done a fair bit already. There is more to be done by council as well as by us. We’ve collaborated well so far so (I’m) not wanting to be critical of council.”

The authority had put $1.2 million into improving the river bank, including large concrete slab steps, while pontoons had been improved.

Mr Morris said he agreed it could become the Gold Coast’s version of Brisbane’s South Bank: “I do, and we have the plan for it. What we need to do is find the money for it.”

Surfers Paradise councillor Gary Baildon, the former chairman of the waterways authority, said: “Any forward planning of funding for capital works are informed by the masterplan.

“Funding for future projects will be assessed on a case-bycase basis.”