Gold Coast creates groundbreaking Surf Management Plan

In a world-first, an Australian Council has formally recognised the importance of surf breaks to its local community. 

On Friday, the Gold Coast City Council launched its Surf Management Plan, a fifty-six page document that acknowledges the rich surf history of the Gold Coast, whilst advancing a range of strategies to maintain and protect its surf amenities. 


Hon Karen Andrews, Federal Member for McPherson, Assistant Minister for Science, addresses the audience at Friday's celebratory function at Gold Coast Surf World. 

Mayor Tom Tate says he is looking forward to working with all beach and ocean users to implement the Surf Management Plan.

“Our beaches are for everyone and we want to ensure everyone can enjoy our city’s prized natural attraction,” said Mr Tate.

“This is a celebration of our City’s Surf Management Plan and the soon-to-be World Surfing Reserve status.

“It’s also another example how Council and the State Government is working together for our city.”

The Surf Management Plan was also congratulated by Queensland Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Dr Steven Miles.  

“It’s important that we protect and preserve our natural coastal assets for all beach and surf users,” said Dr Miles. 

“The Gold Coast’s surf breaks are an international tourism drawcard, and provide an important contribution to both the Gold Coast and Queensland economies.

“As our growing population increases the demand across our coastal infrastructure, the Surf Management Plan will ensure that our beaches are inclusive for all users, and remain healthy and clean”.

The Surf Management Plan was created by its Advisory Committee, a collaboration between the City, State Government agencies, research bodies, surfing organisations, board rider’s clubs, and coastal scientists. 

By combining local knowledge with coastal scientific research, the community has been able to provide input into the aims and strategies to best manage the Gold Coast’s waves and beaches.

Some of the key recommendations of the Surf Management Plan include:

  • communication tools to better educate beach users about surf safety and etiquette
  • a study into the social and economic value of surfing to the Gold Coast
  • investment in upgrades of coastal monitoring infrastructure
  • new coastal capital works projects to enhance surf amenities

Also at Friday's celebratory function was the official endorsement of the Gold Coast as the eighth World Surfing Reserve, covering sixteen kilometres of the southern beaches from Burleigh Heads to Snapper Rocks. 

World Surfing Reserves preserve surfing breaks and their surrounding areas by recognising and protecting the key environmental, cultural, economic and community attributes of surfing areas. 

The Gold Coast now joins a prestigious network of other World Surfing Reserves including Malibu, California; Ericeira, Portugal; Manly Beach, Australia; Santa Cruz, California; Huanchaco, Peru; Bahia Todos Santos, Baja California, Mexico and Punta de Lobos, Chile. 

RESOURCES:
Gold Coast Surf Management Plan (PDF, 56 pages, 4.1mb)
http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/documents/bf/surf-management-plan.pdf

Comments

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Tuesday, 9 Feb 2016 at 12:58pm

Will be very interesting to see this take shape over the coming months and years. 

abc-od's picture
abc-od's picture
abc-od Tuesday, 9 Feb 2016 at 1:04pm

Tom tate mentions the GC World Surf Reserve, so is this an example of WSR benefits? Local govt takes things seriously when the surfers do. It seems like it.

the chase's picture
the chase's picture
the chase Tuesday, 9 Feb 2016 at 1:11pm

Are there any more details on new coastal capital works projects to enhance amenities ?

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Tuesday, 9 Feb 2016 at 1:12pm

At the Council meeting two Fridays ago (29th Jan), not only did they approve the SMP (which underpins the World Surf Reserve), but they also appointed a Local Stewardship Committee that will oversee the World Surfing Reserve, moving forward. 

Interestingly, this was recorded in the minutes:

"While the WSR is purely ceremonial and the LSC would have only minor oversight work to undertake, I feel there is an opportunity to create an LSC with the additional status of being an official Advisory Committee of Council so as to provide the city with the benefits of community sourced advice on surf management matters into the future.

I envisage this advisory committee of Council would meet once or twice a year. The Charter of the LSC is to celebrate, promote, support and further the designation of WSR status on the southern Gold Coast beach breaks, while satisfying the annual reporting and oversight requirements of the Save the Waves Coalition peak body."

http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/documents/ma/council-20160129-minutes.pdf

So, the LSC will have direct input into Council and can advise on all surfing issues. This is a major step forward. 

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Tuesday, 9 Feb 2016 at 1:13pm

I guess this i good news, is South Straddie still under threat?…with the deepening and winding of the spit channel for cruise liners?