Festival Preparations for the Top of The Spit

/in , , /by

On Sunday, 4 December 2022, Doug Jennings Park at the northern end of The Spit, Main Beach, will host Spilt Milk Festival, a large national music, art and food festival.

The festival is expected to attract one of the biggest crowds at this venue and utilise multiple stages to entertain the crowd from 11am to 11pm.

Car parking near the Seaway Promenade and Moondarewa Spit will be unavailable. It’s also likely that Seaworld Drive will be busy with buses and ride share vehicles transporting patrons to the event.

While the boat ramps at Muriel Henchman Park will remain open, access may be limited. Boaties are encouraged to seek alternative ramp facilities.

Event preparations are commencing from 26 November 2022. Festival organisers will be working with local businesses and volunteer organisations to minimise disruptions.

Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA), as the trustee for Doug Jennings Park and the surrounding ring road, grants trustee permits for special events in support of the City’s investment in music, culture, and tourism. GCWA has recently undertaken aeration and fertilisation of Doug Jennings Park to beautify the area and assist with the parkland’s recovery following the event.

GCWA appreciates that the top of The Spit is a much-loved destination by for the local community and tourists, and thanks everyone for their cooperation.

Illegal campers in Doug Jennings Park told to move out or face fines

/in , /by

Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) Chief Executive Officer, Hal Morris, today issued a warning to illegal campers in Doug Jennings Park – move out or face the full force of the law.

Mr Morris said the Authority had made significant progress to secure the necessary powers to penalise those who don’t do the right thing. “We’ve been working closely with the State Government to achieve a permanent, long-term solution to the problem of illegal camping,” Mr Morris said.

“We’ve listened to the community’s frustrations and we’ve worked hard to obtain the powers to issue fines which we have now secured.” Mr Morris said until now, the Authority had focused on a staged, integrated response of infrastructure improvements, communication and now compliance.

“The next stage for compliance is enforcement through the issue of $120.00 on-the-spot fines that will come into effect on Monday 3 April 2017, or up to $1,200.00 if we take them to court.” he said.

“We will have officers, accompanied by police, reminding people to do the right thing. We’re encouraging the responsible enjoyment of Doug Jennings Park. It’s a place for everybody to enjoy. Camping, just like the sign says, is not permitted.”

As trustee of the Park, GCWA will be taking action against people who choose to break the law. In the weeks leading up to Easter, GCWA will have the ability to issue fines for a range of offences including littering, lighting fires and other inappropriate behaviours.

GCWA has offered assistance to those in the park experiencing homelessness by providing information about the available network of social services in the area.

 

Model By-Law for Doug Jennings Park

/in , /by

Doug Jennings Park is a popular location for fishing, diving, surfing, walking, swimming and relaxing for tourists and locals alike. Unfortunately, over the past 30 years the area has become degraded and has attracted some inappropriate uses. As part of the ongoing work to enhance Doug Jennings Park on The Spit and provide a world class destination for the whole community, GCWA proposes to adopt the ‘Trust Land Protection and Use Model By-law 2009’ to help manage uses of the park and address issues such as camping, littering and off-road driving.

Public notification and consultation on the proposal to adopt the model by-law ran from 20 June to 15 July 2016. The overwhelming majority (85%) of the 46 submissions were in support of the proposal. Based on this clear support, GCWA adopted the ‘Trust Land Protection and Use Model By-law 2009’ for Doug Jennings Park. The model by-law came into effect on Friday 9 September 2016 when it was published in the Queensland Government Gazette.

The model by-law ensures that everyone has a fair go at enjoying the recreational opportunities on offer at this waterfront park overlooking The Broadwater. It is yet another way that GCWA is improving Doug Jennings Park and enhancing opportunities to access our world class waterways on the Gold Coast. Other improvements include a dive platform, a new amenities block, connection to Councils sewerage network, extra beach showers and even a dog wash facility, as well as an upgrade to the Seaway Kiosk with new toilets and a new roof. We have also replenished the sand on the foreshore of the southern end of the park known as Moondarewa Spit (previously known as The Spit Finger) and are in the process of building a new road, designated car parking bays and planting dune vegetation.

View map of park

View the model by-law

Moondarewa Spit opens

/in , /by

Moondarewa Spit has been officially reopened following the completion of a $2 million facelift at Doug Jennings Park, The Spit.

Minister for Main Roads and Ports Mark Bailey said the Gold Coast Waterways Authority had done a great job rehabilitating the park where Gold Coast residents and tourists can enjoy the Broadwater.

“We’ve delivered a significant number of improvements to protect the foreshore and bring a fresh look to this much enjoyed public area of the Gold Coast,” Mr Bailey said.

“With a new road along the Moondarewa Spit, this area now has parking spaces for 150 vehicles and ensures we are protecting the sensitive dunal areas.

“Native trees have also been planted to create shaded areas, new educational signage has been erected, and open grassed areas have been created for relaxing and taking in the great surroundings.

“We’ve also installed a dive platform and stairs along the seaway, built a new amenities block, provided additional beach showers and upgraded the Seaway Kiosk with a new roof and toilets. The sand on the western peninsula beach has also been replenished”.

Acting CEO Peter Kleinig said Gold Coast Waterways Authority was now in the midst of restoring sand along the southern beach of The Spit, with very positive feedback from the community on all of this work completed to date.

“The recent adoption of a model by-law will also contribute to ensuring everyone gets a fair go at enjoying the park and making sure we properly manage park use. We are already seeing the results,” Mr Kleinig said.

Mr Bailey announced the Palaszczuk Government would continue to invest in the local economy with another $1.2 million allocated over the next two years for improving the area for visitors and locals to enjoy this popular destination on the Gold Coast.

Mr Kleinig said Gold Coast Waterways Authority would work with the community to decide on the best priorities for how to continue to enhance Doug Jennings Park.

Any damaged or missing aids to navigation such as beacons, buoys, markers or signs, should be reported as soon as possible on
07 5539 7350

For community engagement, communications or media enquiries please contact mail@gcwa.qld.gov.au

Need Assistance?

Who’s Who in the Blue

We know that governance of our waterways can sometimes be complex and confusing.

That’s why we’ve developed this tool to identify who can assist you…

Access, Management & Destinations

  • Access & Management

    Information on Anchoring & Mooring, Boating, Dredging, Operations Team & Tidal Works

    Learn More

  • Our Destinations

    GCWA managed multi-use destinations, building infrastructure for commercial and recreation use of Gold Coast waterways.

    Learn More

Acknowledgement of Country

The Gold Coast Waterways Authority acknowledges and pays respect to the traditional custodians, the Yugambeh peoples of South East Queensland, including the Kombumerri, Mununjali, Wangerriburra, Bullongin and other clans, and their Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise their unique and ongoing spiritual and cultural connection with the land and waters of the Gold Coast area.