Beach bars could become a regular attraction on the Gold Coast starting next year, but an environmental expert cautions that the city’s damaged coastline may not be suitable for such development.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate envisions the first beach bar opening at Broadbeach in the summer of 2026 and being dismantled during the winter months.
“The perfect beach bar lets me enjoy the surf, have a XXXX Gold beer with my wife, and spend time with friends and family by the ocean,” Cr Tate said.
A beach bar was previously trialed at Broadbeach during the 2021–22 Christmas school holidays and received positive feedback. Although the council approved a three-year extension of the Kurrawa Beach Bar trial, it was blocked in 2022 by the Department of Natural Resources following objections from environmental groups.
Mayor Tate emphasized that any revived beach bar should be both affordable and open to the public, contrasting it with the exclusive pricing seen in some European beach venues.
Environmental concerns remain, however. Coastal erosion researcher Mark Ellis from Bond University said the proposal is unrealistic given the ongoing impact of past storms, especially ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
“You need a stable beach to support a bar, and right now, the beaches are in poor condition—they’ve been eroded by up to 30 metres,” Ellis noted.
Approximately 6 million cubic metres of sand—enough to fill 2,000 Olympic pools—was swept away from beaches across the region. The council estimates it may take three years to restore the sand, and over $30 million has already been spent on a barge to accelerate the replenishment process.
Major events, including the Pacific Airshow, have been canceled or moved due to the erosion. Ellis also warned that any beach bar would remain at risk from future storms, especially with the forecasted La Niña summer expected to bring increased storm activity and further erosion.
“In terms of sustainability and climate modeling, it’s not a sound long-term plan. You might end up standing in water rather than sand,” he said.
Despite the risks, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has voiced support for reviving the beach bar concept. However, since the state owns the beaches, the Gold Coast City Council would need to secure a trustee lease for any long-term operation.
The council is developing a land-management strategy for the Broadbeach foreshore and conducted public consultations last year. A final report is expected soon.
While past proposals for beach commercial activity have faced resistance due to concerns over noise and pollution, Cr Tate insists the new plan would have minimal impact.
“It’s only occupying a small portion—less than 50 metres—of the beach. With 66 kilometres of coastline, there’s still plenty of space for those who prefer a quieter spot,” he said.
