Bum’s Bay under threat from Gold Coast development plans

The Gold Coast Waterways Authority has launched a community survey that strongly hints it plans on converting Bum’s Bay, more formally known as the Marine Stadium, into a short-stay Broadwater destination and community hub ahead of the introduction of a new ferry service that will bring more people to the area.

The survey asks people about their opinions on a range of topics such as retaining the space as an “undeveloped and natural destination”, whether access to the site is “fair and equitable”, and whether the authority needs to better manage the seven-day anchorage limit in the area.

The survey also hints that Bum’s Bay could introduce a booking system to help manage the boats that create a bit of wriggle room around the length of time they stay anchored at the site, and whether fees should be charged for boats dropping anchor.

The flip side to that is the suggestion that the authority should be providing amenities such as toilets, water, showers and sewage pump-out facilities.

The survey also attempts to gauge public interest in the area hosting other activities such as triathlons, and jet ski and boat based-events.

Bum’s Bay is a popular and often crowded Gold Coast destination, although it has gained a bit of a reputation over the years for attracting older boats used by liveaboard owners that take advantage of the GCWA’s somewhat lax enforcement of the seven-day anchoring limit.

The boat owners also use nearby car parks to park their vehicles. The site is also serviced by buses that head into the Gold Coast.

The site is popular because it is a deep, sheltered anchorage with little tidal flow, and is located just inside the Southport seaway, making it an ideal overnight anchorage for boats travelling along the coast.

However, because the site is exposed to southerly winds, boat owners tend to run out more chain to help the anchor hold in the mud, which allows their vessels to swing around in a wide circle.

The Gold Coast Waterway Authority has proposed a future passenger ferry service that will terminate at The Spit, meaning boats using Bum’s Bay will need to leave a channel clear for the ferry to access a new jetty that also is planned as part of upgrades for the area.

The jetty will also provide casual boat access.

The survey is available here.