REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Thursday, April 3, 1986

DREAMWORLD withdrew plans to build a Polynesian-style entertainment centre in Brighton Parade, Southport.

Protesters celebrated, with one saying the announcement was “grand news”.

Managing director Wes Bepburn said Dreamworld had cancelled its application to rezone the 1.5ha site to allow for a complex for outdoor entertainment, underground nightclubs and a Great Barrier Reef display.

An option to buy the land had expired a week earlier and was not taken up.

About 300 objections were lodged against the proposal.

The City Council had not brought down a decision on the development which involved rezoning riverfront land.

Objectors’ solicitor Bill Witheriff said the protesters were very pleased the proposal was not going ahead.

He congratulated Dreamworld for “showing the commonsense to withdraw”.

Mr Witheriff said they wished Dreamworld every success at Coomera but were concerned the residential amenity of Brighton Parade must be maintained.

“There is no malice towards Dreamworld, it is just a totally unacceptable site,” he said.

Another objector, Boyd Davies, who lived in the River Point apartments next to the development site said: “This is the best news we have had.”

The $12-million proposal attracted controversy after being unveiled months earlier.

The sketch plans showed a circular complex, 15m high and set in tropical gardens.

Dreamworld said the development would have created some 200 jobs.