Leaked Masterplan Sparks Outrage Over Push for New Golf Course on South Stradbroke Island

SOUTH STRADBROKE ISLAND –  A two-year secret plan to develop South Stradbroke Island has ignited widespread community backlash, raising fierce opposition over secretive Council processes and the rapid expansion of commercial infrastructure along the Gold Coast’s last pristine foreshore.

Reports revealed that City of Gold Coast planners quietly drafted a comprehensive masterplan featuring an 18-hole golf course, a surf wellness retreat with more than two dozen buildings, a private helipad, and extensive walking trails stretching from the Seaway to Jumpinpin. The revelation has drawn swift condemnation after it emerged that key stakeholders were forced to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements, while several elected councillors were kept out of initial briefings.

Critics argue the covert approach undermines public trust in Mayor Tom Tate’s administration, pointing out that luxury amenities like golf courses and helipads stretch the definition of “nature-based tourism” beyond recognition.

A Pattern of “Eco-Tourism” Claims

Community advocates note that the current masterplan fits a familiar historical pattern along the Broadwater:

• McLaren’s Landing: Developed by Pandana Capital under the banner of “nature-based tourism.”
• Couran Cove: Constructed in 1998 as a $283 million “world-class eco-resort,” which now lies in severe disrepair.
• Wave Break Island: Subject to ongoing development proposals marketed as an “eco-tourist hub.”

Opponents argue that by segmenting the island into isolated parcels—focusing initial infrastructure updates on Tipplers Hub, North and South Currigee, and the Seaway—the City is using incremental development to bypass broader environmental scrutiny.

Council Defends Process Amid Consultation Push

In response to the controversy, a City spokesperson maintained that Council is simply “investigating options” aimed at supporting community needs and improving amenities through a balanced “whole-of-island” strategy.

Following a preliminary public survey conducted in mid-2025, the City has launched a Community Reference Group (CRG) to guide ongoing planning. The 12-month panel—comprising residents, landowners, local business operators, and environmental representatives—is scheduled to convene for its initial meeting at the Jacobs Well Community Centre.

Despite official assertions that the CRG will ensure balanced decision-making, conservation groups view the advisory body as a belated PR strategy designed to sanitize a high-impact commercial blueprint that was already quietly locked in behind closed doors.