Published Wednesday, 05 September, 2007 at 01:00 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Natural Resources and Water and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland
The Honourable Craig Wallace
MAIN BEACH MILLIONAIRES MUST GIVE BACK THE BEACH
Owners of multi-million-dollar properties fronting Main Beach on the Gold Coast will be ordered to remove fences, gardens, paving and other encroachments built on the publicly-owned beach.
Premier Peter Beattie said 17 property owners would be given 28 days to demolish and remove illegal structures on dunes at the rear of the beach.
The Premier told Parliament today that land worth over $3 million has been illegally enclosed along one of the nation’s most popular beaches.
“We are drawing a line in the sand, literally,” Mr Beattie said.
“This is public land and property owners fortunate enough to live on the beach have no right to help themselves to it.
“The beach belongs to everyone, rich or poor.
“Main Beach is one of the Gold Coast’s best known beaches and no one will be allowed to get away with building illegal fences or other structures on it,” the Premier said.
The Minister for Natural Resources and Water (NRW), Craig Wallace, said the Department had received information from Gold Coast City Council and upon inspection found 17 coastal properties encroached on coastal dunes at the back of the beach.
“The properties involved are between David Evans Reserve and Hollandale Park,” Mr Wallace said.
“The encroachments vary from gardens to more substantial work such as fencing and paving but generally they are built to prevent the public accessing state land,” he said.
Encroachments include:
• A paved area, patio, gardens, garden edging and lawn.
• A garden, garden lighting and brushwood fencing
• Steel fencing completely enclosing a 5 metre strip of state land. A thatched gazebo is partly built on this land.
The Minister said some owners have already have removed illegal fences as a result of the NRW survey.
“Other residents have claimed that local councillors approved their use of the land, however, the land belongs to the public and the council does not have the power to give such approvals.
“East-west council fencing erected to protect sand dunes is not of concern to NRW, though some residents have closed off land to the public by erecting north-south fences between them.
Mr Wallace said Gold Coast beaches were justifiably famous throughout Queensland, Australia and the world.
“They are icons because they have golden sand, sparkling water and are open to everyone,” he said.
“Encroachments that lock out the public from public land will not be tolerated.”
The Land Act 1994 prohibits a person from occupying, enclosing, building or maintaining a structure on state land.
Mr Wallace said property owners who refused to remove encroachments could have them removed at their expense and face fines of up to $30,000.
In 2003, around 15 owners of beachside properties at Mermaid Beach, also on the Gold Coast, were told to remove encroachments on beach land.
Wednesday September 5, 2007
Media inquiries:
Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Minister’s Office - Paul Childs on 0407 131 654.
Premier Peter Beattie said 17 property owners would be given 28 days to demolish and remove illegal structures on dunes at the rear of the beach.
The Premier told Parliament today that land worth over $3 million has been illegally enclosed along one of the nation’s most popular beaches.
“We are drawing a line in the sand, literally,” Mr Beattie said.
“This is public land and property owners fortunate enough to live on the beach have no right to help themselves to it.
“The beach belongs to everyone, rich or poor.
“Main Beach is one of the Gold Coast’s best known beaches and no one will be allowed to get away with building illegal fences or other structures on it,” the Premier said.
The Minister for Natural Resources and Water (NRW), Craig Wallace, said the Department had received information from Gold Coast City Council and upon inspection found 17 coastal properties encroached on coastal dunes at the back of the beach.
“The properties involved are between David Evans Reserve and Hollandale Park,” Mr Wallace said.
“The encroachments vary from gardens to more substantial work such as fencing and paving but generally they are built to prevent the public accessing state land,” he said.
Encroachments include:
• A paved area, patio, gardens, garden edging and lawn.
• A garden, garden lighting and brushwood fencing
• Steel fencing completely enclosing a 5 metre strip of state land. A thatched gazebo is partly built on this land.
The Minister said some owners have already have removed illegal fences as a result of the NRW survey.
“Other residents have claimed that local councillors approved their use of the land, however, the land belongs to the public and the council does not have the power to give such approvals.
“East-west council fencing erected to protect sand dunes is not of concern to NRW, though some residents have closed off land to the public by erecting north-south fences between them.
Mr Wallace said Gold Coast beaches were justifiably famous throughout Queensland, Australia and the world.
“They are icons because they have golden sand, sparkling water and are open to everyone,” he said.
“Encroachments that lock out the public from public land will not be tolerated.”
The Land Act 1994 prohibits a person from occupying, enclosing, building or maintaining a structure on state land.
Mr Wallace said property owners who refused to remove encroachments could have them removed at their expense and face fines of up to $30,000.
In 2003, around 15 owners of beachside properties at Mermaid Beach, also on the Gold Coast, were told to remove encroachments on beach land.
Wednesday September 5, 2007
Media inquiries:
Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Minister’s Office - Paul Childs on 0407 131 654.