• Contact us
• Blogs
• Events
• Supporter form
• Tipplers articles
• Jet ski articles
• Marine articles
• News video
• Support letters
• Media releases
• Marine QLD submission
• Council correspondence
• Artificial reefs
• Merchandise
• Donations

What's News

Press release
11 June 2010
Mayor challenged
over consultation

Press release
21 May 2010

Press release 17 Mar
Broad business support for New Tipplers proposal

Nine Local News
15 Mar

Nine Local News
11 Mar

ABC 12 Mar - Tipplers

Counter response to CEO 12 Mar 10

CEO reply 10 Mar 10
7 megabyte download

Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce letter to CEO

Nine local news 22 Feb

ABC interview 24 Feb

news clip 24 Feb

Clarke: Tipplers 23 Feb

Jet ski ramp fight

Truth about Tipplers

Flotilla of Umbridge

Chamber backs MAG

news clip 11 Dec 09

All comments provided by people who have completed the survey

Comments are optional and are unedited

To report abuse email info@marineactiongroup.com

3 Since Tipplers closed the southern broadwater has become extensivly busy and dangerous,re open Tipplers as a destination point and relieve the boating traffic.

4 Tiplers is an important part of recreational boating in Queensland. Boating families need detinations to visit and moor with family and friends for both day trips and overnight stays with facilites that suit all types of viitors. As an interstate boatie i have always enjoyed the experience that is available to my family when visiting Tipplers and i wish to continue to have the right to do so.

5 Not only to reopen the bar and restaurant but the resort should be reopened also, they operate hand in hand and allow those who visit but would like to stay for a few days the opportunity to do so. Also this would give more revenue and more use of the bar and restaurant facilities, as most use was during the weekend period, if the resort was reopened this would increase the use of the bar instead of limiting it to the weekends only. Also increasing employment opportunities. By reopening the bar only it is sending a clear message to Ron Clarke that tipplers was just a drunken hole and nothing else about the resort was worth saving.

7 1.make sure that no swimming enclosure is constructed in the channel area 2.ensure approval is given to adequately protect the shoreline with suitable revetment to preserve the land area and improvements. 3. seek Council support to pressure State Government to resume maintenance dredging of the entire channel and associated anchorage areas which are all silting up.

10 Retain facilities in the same way that they were. Relaxed atmosphere with people being able to watch their children in the swimming pool surrounded by facilities.

15 Bring the huts back, as it was a nice alternative to the overpriced un maintained Couran Cove.

21 I don't pay rates at the moment as I rent, but I can still vote!

24 As the representative for B.O.A.T. Club, I attended the 2 meeting held to look at the future management of the Tipplers Precinct. All leaseholders attended. All were in favour retaining the area as it had been enjoyed by people currently and for many years and generations before. Everybody agreed the enviroment needed to looked after. At no time was the purchase of Tipplers mentioned. If the current council attitude continues all leases will be in jeopardy. Coucil officers have said they want tha whole area returned to it's natural state with all non-native plants, shrubs and trees to be removed. God knows what would be left. If leases currently held are rescinded Ron's mates at Couran must also go.

27 Forget the so-called swimming enclosure idea and just give us back a pool. Have been visiting Tipplers since we were kids from about the early seventies,and in a world of things that change supposedly "for the better" Tipplers was the one place that reminded us that sometimes when things stay the same, they just get better anyway. We live on Bribie Island now,but we travel down in the boat a couple of times a year to stay in Tipplers Passage.Did Council know there were people like us who did this? They should have.

28 Yes, the Gold Coast needs more recreational facilities of the type proposed and less intrusion by Council, at rate payers expense, into enterprises which they are ill-equiped to manage. Council must be more inclusive of community needs and attitudes and rely less on the "Crystal balling" of their overpaid bureaucrats who bear no accountability for their follies.

31 I believe that there should be more than 1 licenced venues in the area, where people have a choice (like they used to), in where they wish to eat or drink. There should be entertainment again on the weekends. Competition will also promote better standards. I'd like to see numerous little businesses all working together to make it, once again a very unique destination for any visitors. I'd also like to see some form of accomodation again, because there are a lot of people who don't like tents.

32 I'd like to see Tipplers with only obvious repairs made and not made modern, upgrading the pool and pool area would be a huge plus for the kids, most boats are around 5 metres and if you have your family with you theres not alot of room, tipplers was a great place to stretch your legs and let the kids swim and have food and some time out of the boat. I'm a multi skilled tradie and will help anyway I can, sincerely; Johnny Bristow

33 As a mother of two boys 7 and 9 being able to have lunch listen to live music and see my two sons enjoying themself was a perfect Sunday afternoon, they would swim and feed the wallabies. i feel if the swimming was on the beach i would not be able to relax as i could not see them. Tipplers for us was a weekend away we would hire the huts for an overnight stay as we only have a 18ft searay. So we had the option of lunch dinner or breakfast. My parents use to stay out on their boat and breakfast at tipplers was my dads favourite. The resort was tied and old but always kept clean and tidy. Over my 20 years of visiting tipplers i wondered why they never gave it a face lift but unfortunatly the GCCC always take a way the good things of the gold coast and tear them down. As a boatie day visitors are not welcome at couran cove, my neighbour tried to stay overnight recently as the weather turned bad and was told minimun two night stay. Couran cove gives you an option of purchasing a $50 food and drinks voucher to stay for the day. I still miss tipplers. Bring back tipplers. nicole allen age 40

35 There is to few boating destinations on the Gold Coast for family boating. Wave Break and Marine Stadium are over crowded and there more and more boats using the Broadwater. In the 35 years that myself and my family have been boating on the Broadwater we have not seen any real trouble at Tipplers but have seen more trouble at the Council managed camp grounds on the Broadwater. Bob

37 Good work. Keep it up. This mess needs to be fixed. Gold Coast City Council should apologize to ratepayers for a botched job.

38 A. Why did council change Tipplers without community consultation? B. Why is Tipplers now focused on conservation rather than tourism? C. Why does council continue to make comment on alcohol abuse but refuses to substantinate its allegations when challenged to do so? D. why does council continue to push for a swimming enclosure when in its expression of interest guidelines it specifies that proponents should not hinder access to the precinct. E. Why has council prevented advertising of proposals by proponents when it should be their choice in sharing their vision or intellectual property?

39 I would like to see more seating with bar and casual areas for people to relax and unwind, its a beautiful place just to sit with a drink and watch the sun go down, just so upset with the council for what they have down especially as it has come out of our rates money and we were not consulted first.

40 Perhaps it could also provide a working berth base for Water Police and Volunteer Marine Rescue.

41 Vote for a new council that has the people in mind not themselves .

42 Tipplers and surrounding operating places did a great job.I don't know why the council bought the place and closed it down. now the place is life less and dead. We got 2 BBQ plates in return, I thought there'd be at least 20 bbq areas scattered over the location. Whatever you are going to do with the place. It will never be the same, you've destroyed an icon, which a large community of people held very dear. Moving on, you could try to re open the place and try to replicate the atmosphere that was. Including the competition between the 2 bars that kept things healthy.

43 Since the CMC has found that there is no dishonesty involved, then the council leaders who committed this atrocity at Tipplers can be found only to be grossly stupid. Surely a ****storm of public indignation will sweep them from office at the next election.

45 In addition to the above accommodation should be retained,no one expects a five star resort.

47 MY family used to be members of one of the boat clubs south of Tipplers and at the end of each day there was nothing more my young children wanted to do other than go to Tipplers for a swim and feed the wallabies and have an ice cream while we had a drink.I have since brought a houseboat which is moored at Hope Island as well as a jetski. We head accross to South Straddie on a regular basis on the ski and the only place to go now is Mclarens Landing for a refreshment and while it is a very nice place, the drink prices are very dear compared Tipplers,as well as the food prices, and also no pool for a swim. I was over there during the past week and there was only one boat at the boat clubs and no boats moored at the camping grounds, a lot different to when Tipplers was open! BRING BACK TIPPLERS AS IT WAS SUCH A GOOD PLACE FOR FAMILIES,THE GCCC MADE A BIG MISTAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

48 Is there anything left in this society that councils and governments havent destroyed............

49 Keep up the good work!

50 The non-profit organisation could be in the form of Club with an optional moderate club membership fee, giving people a feeling of belonging, giving them a say. A large membership would enhance support. Tony White

51 LETS GET TIPPLERS BACK ASAP

52 Why the Council bought this popular tourist destination for a ridiculous amount only to close it down beggars justification. My family frequented the area and always noted the happy holiday atmosphere that pervaded the place. Its reputation for casual dress and welcoming management encouraged us to bring almost all of our overseas and local guests to see how Australians enjoyed their outdoor environment. Besides employing over 20 staff it was a great tourist attraction which is what the Gold Coast is trying to promote. When the out of touch Mayor calls us ‘barefoot boozers’ he was so far from the truth he should resign. If he is happy to throw insults at us he can have one of mine back:- Mayor Clark you are an XXXXXXXXX XXXXX, and that is the proven truth! Derek Anderson Mudgeeraba

55 I would like to see a swimming pool away from the beach as it can become quite congested sometimes.I also support the views of the Marine Action Group on the safety and access issues.

57 Tipplers was such a great place for my family and our friends to visit. We all miss it so much, it was something anybody could access, weather on a small tinny, large private boat, hired houseboats or by water taxi, we are just so annoyed that the council has taken away this wonderful place. This is just my opinion but I will not be voting for Ron Clarke or any of his party members, I am not involved in politics of any kind and have no interest personally in who gets into government, I just believe that Ron Clarke has made a terrible mistake with tipplers and he most certainly did not listen to the people of the gold coast. Tom

58 Get rid of Ron Clarke and his dictator/ narrow minded/ tunnel visioned/lack of thought/ minority group orientated/ live in the past/ pig headed/ short sighted/ uninformed/ lack of research/ uninformed/ inpractical/ don't care what you say ways !

59 If more ratepayers realised that they are footing an annual $700,000 interest payment for something that can only be described as a non entity, more people would be demanding that the situation be reversed and as quickly as possible. Bring on the New Tipplers. If the Gold Coast City Council has to be involved with the new arrangement, then let it be only for rubbish collection. Kev R.

62 There should be major LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL support for exsisting stake holders who at at present operating commercal premises FOR THEM TO BE COMPELLED TO UPGRADE PLUS SUPPLY NEW INFASTRUCTURE INCLDUDING BARS, AND TOURISM FACILITIES AS PER THEIR LEASE CONDITIONS WITH SUPPORT FOR NEW BARS, RESRARANTS, WHARFING FACILITIES PLUS THE SUPPLY BY COUNCIL AND STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNEMNT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY OF THE ISLAND FOR NEW UTILITIES AND INFASTRUCTURE SITE TO ENSURE SUCH BASIC RIGHTS AND SAFETY AS EFFICENT SEWERAGE TREATMENT PLANT FOR THE TIPPLERS COMMERIAL AREA,POWER,QUALIFIED RANGER,EMERGENCY SERVICES AND WATER THAT IS AVALIABLE TO EVERY OF OTHER CITIZEN AND BUSINESS IN AUSTRALIA.

67 Tipplers resort was a great place for people of all backgrounds to meet. To have it taken away by bureaucrats & greenies shows that the council & state governments are totally out of step from the citizens they are supposed to serve. Using $14 million of our rate money at the same time giving themselves a pay rise, while claiming the council is broke & has to increase all rates & charges is outrageous. Too many lies have been thrown around by council &/or bureaucrats.

69 We have been boating on the Gold Coast for approximately 25 years and during that time we have visited Tipplers many, many times. When our children were younger we, and all of our friends, would let the older children (aged about 15 or 16) take the younger ones (down to about 5 years old) for a walk along the beach or track to Tipplers to buy an ice-cream or drink and there was never a problem day or night, we always felt they were perfectly safe. They used to play spotlight as they walked up there after dinner. It was a lovely spot to go for lunch or dinner and it was perfect for breakfast looking the broadwater.

70 I have enjoyed for many years Tipplers as a Breakfast venue, Lunch venue for a light meal & drinks while listening to music, On many occasions I have also enjoyed these facilities with OVERSEAS & VISITORS from other parts of Australia, of which they are ALL saying that is a great shame what our local government bureaucrats have done & would not be allowed to do in other places. To take something away from so many people would be Political suicide.

71 What Ron Clark has done is wrong.

75 with swimming pool yes for the kids under a age group with lifesavers on watch. teenagers is another thing not sure, and say over eighteen as adults no pool allowence we can survive for a length of time.would also like to see some restriction on alcahole intake for the few that do play up.and a closing time like 11.00 - 16.00 for drinks, food 06.00 to 17.00 no drinks after. good facilities for wash rooms etc, bbq's,a form to sign that you waver of anything that goes or could go wrong as of your mistake so no suing of the company involved.

76 In all the years we have been boating around the Tipplers area we have never seen any serious problems or fights. It was a nice family destination. The swimming pool was a great place for the kids to swim away from the boats and should be kept.

77 BRING BACK TIPPLERS AS IT WAS SUCH A GOOD PLACE FOR FAMILIES, THE GOLD COAST COUNCIL MADE A BIG MISTAKE BY CLOSING THIS FACILITY!

78 I strongly oppose the proposed swimmimg pool enclosure as it will limit boat access to the beach. Sometimes I like to back up with a stern anchor out.

80 We need the swimming pool back so that the adults can supervise their children while watching the band or having lunch. If the swimming pool area was on the foreshore than this will not be viable, they may as well swim anywhere. We just want Tipplers back the way it was, for a great family day.

81 We are supposed to live in a democratic society but with Tipplers a few bureaucrats and a couple of councillors led their colleagues towards making the worst decision in the history of this council and without proper public consultation. They thought they knew best, they didn't. They have destroyed an icon and a part of the Gold Coast that so many of us valued. This is wrong. To justify their actions they claim there was "anti social alcohol related behaviour" and record this in the South Stradbroke Island Master Plan. This is a myth and people who have gone to Tipplers over the decades know this is not true and now look at our council and the administration with skepticism and suspicion. WE WANT TIPPLERS BACK -Keith Douglas, Spokesman, Marine Action Group.

86 Our whole families social life was aimed at the boatie lifestyle - we would meet friends have a stop at tipplers either going up or coming back. My young children just loved these days out . We miss tipplers and the memories that the kids had there are becoming faded. Kids are only little for such a short time and then they like to start spreading their own wings. We dont need a five star place - just a place to meet up, sit for a bite, good music and to see the wildlife roaming freely - that was tipplers.The pool was also great for the kids to have a dip in on a hot day while waiting for their lunch.We all miss Tipplers and would love to have something to go to in the future.Thank you.

87 A swimming pool is far more attractive than an enclosure as an option with someone responsible to look over the pool whilst kids are in it. The council had no right to close what was a perectly good iconic destination.Many of our overseas business clients are flabergasted.Its why they enjoyed coming here. Not everyone wants casinos and night clubs with pristine walkways.

89 Get rid of the Gold Coast City Council, they are a bunch of dishonest people. It cannot be allowed to be all green, there has to be a balance between recreation and enjoyment of life vs. the green approach. People, rate payers and tax payers have a right to be able to enjoy the environment of South Stradbroke Island that is not all about simple closing it off. Tipplers was bought with 'green' money and the GCCC should be investigated for such an action. Tipplers hurt no body. Yes it needed some major maintenance and some cleaning up. Yes it needs to be un-obtrusive and appealing however if the GCCC had of managed the operation of Tipplers from their side and enforced some of the clean up over the years it would not have finsihed in the poor state it did. Council and Government need to be more supportive of the boating industry and the boat clubs who have used Tipplers and the Island well prior to the GCCC taking over. IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT BEING GREEN - IT IS ABOUT A BALANCE.

90 Queensland Government and Councils needs to remember that water craft big and small make Queensland what it is today not just water craft carrying tourists keep Queensland water ways and facilities open to all after all we are charged enough rego and fuel taxes

91 The council should stick to ratepayer issues and remove their confict of interest from Tipplers. Boaties need a place like Tipplers to enjoy.

94 WE WERE AT TIPPLERS ON SUNDAY THE 14TH MARCH. SAW A PICTURE OF THE IDEAS YOU HAVE AND WE LIKE IT. YOU ARE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB, WELL DONE.

96 We As rate payers wish to see the 14 Million back so we are not having to pay additional rates or penalties .

99 sack the council responsible for this expensive mess

103 I would like to see a facility that can be enjoyed buy boaties and their families as it has been for decades.

104 I hope the re opening will take effect then i could to continue to take my family somewhere again for breakfast on the water for lunches etc as we have done at tipplers many times , WE ARE NOT VERY GOOD AT PING PONG for a family outing.

107 I have been going to Tipplers since i was 10 years old - i am now 33 years old and its a great shame i cant take my own son up there to experience some of my great experiences there as a kid. i have no understanding why the council who represent us make such a poor and costly decision. If this was mentioned at the last elections i definitely would have voted a different way. In my 24 years on the Gold Coast this is the worst decision i have seen the Council make and a shameful act by the Mayor. Lets hope some decent decisions are now made to rectify this very embarrassing problem caused by the council.

109 Must return to a boating & family destination with safe and convenient access to catering facilities - overnight mooring area for larger boats & marina type mooring with walk on access to the island. A nominated small boat beach access area adjacent to facilities. Make it a welcoming destination for local,interstate & overseas visitors & guests. A day visit to Tipplers was a great introduction cruise of the Gold Coast waterways for visitors. Make it welcoming!

113 we think tipplers was fantastic for families just the way it was,so anything similar run by anyone other than ron clarke and his mob of mad men would be great.we were there for the last day of tipplers and also the australia day cruise and are looking forward to a sane solution soon.thanks dan johnston

114 It is a great idea to develop the facility in an enviromentaly acceptable manner. I am not in favour of just developing the site in any old fashion. It is a beutiful area and it should not be denied our younger people.I am not a "Greenie" but neither am I an enviromental terrorist. The longer I live, the less and less I am allowed to do.We have a wonderful country and we should all be allowed to enjoy it, not lock it all away with national parks that you are not allowed in, that no one is allowed to put in fire trails and back burn , to the extent that they look wonderful but get out of control and you have another Canberra Fire or Black Saturday on your hands. So yes develpop Tipplers with a mixture of common sence, frindly environment ideas and put a private company in to run it under the supervision of the Marine authority and enhance the area Adrian Heffernan, Canberra 0411414566

118 The GCCC had no right to use rate payer money to purchase 'tipplers'. it is not their core business to run/or close down facilities especially a tourist attraction. Closing the facility cost a lot of jobs. Opening a similar facility will create employment, and bring people back to our beautiful island. we are a tourist centre and visitors from around australia and the world enjoy experiencing wildlife and boating, this is a very unique area, and should be enjoyed in a low key way. Not every one wants to holiday and a high rise and spend time at theme parks. Good luck with it all. Give our locals and visitors somewhere enjoyable to go to, with comfortable facilities and at resonable prices.
119 What we don't want is another expensive & exclusive Couran Cove, what we do want is close to what we had an inexpensive resort for all people, boaties, campers, Day tripers, and reasonable overnight accomodation. A place you can call into from your boat and enjoy an afternoon of entertainment finished of by a meal before returning to your boat to explore more of the broadwater. A place if you are camping to be able to have a meal out and some entertainment as a break from your camping activities as well as somewhere to stock up on provisions without returning to the mainland. A PLACE LIKE TIPPLERS WAS BEFORE THE DO GOODERS HAD TO STICK THEIR NOSE IN AND DESTROY ANOTHER PART OF WHY WE CAME TO THE GOLD COAST.

121 A games room for the young ones

122 we want tipplers back

123 Have a zero tolerance for bad behaviour. Keep the 'yobbos' out.

125 Local tourist attractions similar to those that were at Tipplers including Jet Skies, Speed boat and scenic flights were always an attraction the aided in raising the tourist profile of South Straddie as well as funding the amenities that were available which included maintaining the meals and refreshments at a price that was family friendly. A managed facility provided the security and safety of regulated RSOA. At present there is NO regulation and the island in Tipplers passage is unchecked. A funded medical response facility has always been required on South Straddie with an adhoc facility available at Couran Cove and its immediate surrounds. Too many times a delayed medical response has jepordised the lives of many tourists and locals alike in and around South Straddie especially in the hard to get to areas of Tipplers Passage.

126 Put it back how it was or better. I am more concerned that council spent ratepayers money without any $ return or consultation. A yacht club similiar to Hamilton Island would be a good start. Something iconic to the gold coast. Some inclusions could be; fuel, general store, swimming pool, bakery, coffee shop, chandlery store, toilets, public bar, food, decent moorings and jetty. A camping facility would be good but is available elsewhere on the island. Good luck!

127 A public pontoon with a 3 min limit for dropping off and picking up would be appreciated. But we can live without it if cost prohibits. Given that Ron Clarke was the face behind the development of Couran Cove, and noting that it had, or perhaps still has, financial difficulties, could there still a nexus somewhere between Ron Clarke and Couran Cove resort? Is he trying to stifle potential competitve development?

128 I think the pool issue should be dropped. The increased $'s for security, insurance, maintenance etc could affect the affordability of the facility. It could be readdressed at a later time after the success rating of new facilities has been established.

129 The Lord Mayor should step down and powers bestowed upon Lord Mayors should be reviewed. We have missed Tipplers a lot. We cannot understand how this could have happened. It is another example of the selfish minority spoiling things for the down to earth majority. More tax and less services, except for the elite minority who mostly come from elsewhere to the coast to make a name or a quick buck for themselves at the expense of us wee local folk. Tipplers was fine. The beauty of it was its simplicity, sand between the toes, a game of pool, kids could have a swim, nice steak sangas too. Tipplers was a haven to dodge bad weather, get something you needed or as a meeting place to stock up for camping or rest in a natural environment with friends and family. nough said good luck and good onya Marine Action Group!

130 What council has done is absolutely criminal - bring on the next council election please, so we can get rid of all these inept freeloaders.

132 A pool would be good but it needs to be better than the one that wasin place to small and to dirty

133 Bigger Swimming Pool Accomadation Licensed Tavern

134 We enjoyed Tipplers before and would like to do so again, the way it was before. Whenever we went out in our boat we liked to stop at Tipplers and enjoy the beautiful and natural setting. We often took friends from interstate and overseas who were always very impressed. We also want to know what happened to "freedom of information" and why we are kept in the dark about the future of Tipplers.

136 I was born in the tweed hospital and from the age of about 3months my parents began to take me to stradbroke island. From this age up untill my 25th birthday i have spent nearly every christmas new years and easter on or around stradbroke frequenting tipplers most days. Tipplers itself was fantastic for it provided us boaties with somewhere to sit and relax have a meal to save cooking an icecream and swim for the kids and all basic provisions. Tipplers had a great nightlife scene with lots of top bands playing day and night. I feel sad that the council couldnt find a way to keep it going as it was or at least a refurbishment it just seems like it has been a huge waste of money and space. I would like to be able to pop over and show my own kids the place i spent a great deal of my youth.

138 BRING TIPPLERS BACK!

150 Get Council out of Tipplers!

157 * Weekday educational facilities for local schools * Regular live music on weekends

163 Establish mixed purpose dining - possibly a "pub-type" meals/bistro and nice resturant with entertainment

164 Improved Kiosk with more products of food available. Keep weekend entertainment!

173 I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Tipplers, taking friends and family from other states and countries. As I am from Brisbane it was also a great place to meet friends form the Gold Coast. The facilities were fantastic and gave you the feeling you were on holiday enjoying the light music and atmosphere. Bring Tipplers back....

176 As a rate payer I do not believe the council has used public funds appropriately and would like to see a similar facility established at the tipplers site.