Path to peace as fences come down

Council workers remove fencing and other obstructions. Pic: David Clark Source: News Limited

TUGUNhas set about mending fences by tearing them down.

Gold Coast City Council workers yesterday began removing palings from public land in an effort to heal a rift that tore the sleepy beachside community apart.

The encroachments, which were placed on sand dunes by beachfront residents, are expected to be gone by Friday and replaced with newly laid turf.

All items on public land were ordered to be removed after the Newman Government rejected applications by Golden Four Drive property owners to close a public road reserve behind their homes, allowing them to buy eight prime beachfront land parcels up to 210sq m each.

The proposed takeover led to weekly protests by the Friends of Currumbin community group and accusations of violence between warring parties.

Golden Four Drive campaigner Kate Malouf said the removals were difficult for residents who had fought to keep them there.

It is not a shock for anyone that this was going to happen, but it is obviously upsetting for residents who have been here a long time, she said.

We are hoping and trusting in the council to protect the dunes now and our main objective is to improve the care of the sand dunes.

Gold Coast council workers remove fencing and other obstructions. Pic: David Clark Source: News Limited

Continued here:
Path to peace as fences come down