CHANGING, UGLY FACE OF BURLEIGH AFTER DARK
THE morning sun shines on pictureque Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast.
But rather than casting its glow across the iconic national park and famed much-loved white sandy beach, an ugly new reality rears its head in the “once-laid-back village”.
Vomit, broken glass, drug bags and rubbish smear the sidewalks from the top end of central James Street and the Gold Coast Highway right down to the beach.
There are even, as one local says, “syringes where small children collect shells”.
Business owners up and down the strip are cleaning up the mess from the night prior.
One cafe operator says their sign was recently stolen and “mopping spew off the steps is a regular occurrence”.
To partygoers or “blow-ins” as some call them, Burleigh is the new Orchid Avenue, the famed neonbathed party strip in the centre of Gold Coast visitor hub Surfers Paradise.
But to the locals, central Burleigh is now paradise lost.
They are blaming Burleigh’s new wave of development and a rapidlygrowing hospitality offering for the change – but can’t pinpoint the reasons for a spate of recent violent assaults – all of which have rocked the surfside suburb.
Chris Goddard, 61, has lived and spent time in Burleigh Heads for the better part of four decades.
He warmly recalls the old caravan park, the chilled-out vibe of the place and fond summer memories of bathing in the sea with his high school sweetheart.
Now, as a local body corporate member for his apartment block on the headland, Mr Goddard is woken at night by screams and fighting from a band of drunk and disorderly.
If he goes out for a meal locally, he will Uber home “even though it’s only five minutes away”, because he “doesn’t want to get bashed”.
Mr Goddard says he has “been
scared to go out for a while now”, but has booked a 6.15pm sitting at Restaurant Labart this week. He jokes: “I’m not even a pensioner but this is what it has come to.”
He feels Burleigh Pavilion owner Ben May’s venue is turning Burleigh into a “mini-bondi”, in reference to the buzzing Sydney beachfront suburb.
“That was the end of it for Burleigh locals right there and then,” Mr Goddard said.
Mr Goddard says Burleigh was now “totally adverse to having the laid-back village feel it was once known for”.
“There’s been a huge transition of the types of people who come here. At night if you try to walk on the highway side – where Pink Monkey and Justin Lane are – I’ve seen guys bump into each other and shoot death stares. Not to mention the bouncers throwing people out on the sidewalk,” he said.
“A mate of mine was walking home at 9pm one night and was bashed by three blokes, his wallet
and phone stolen. That’s what Burleigh is now. It’s disgusting.”
Mr Goddard says he is sick of the behaviour and insists “council and police have a lot to answer for” in failing curbing the violence and new atmosphere.
“Council are trying to turn the small laneways in Burleigh into what you see in Melbourne. Graffiti, backdoor clubs and full-on night-life. That’s not Burleigh,” he said.
In relation to a recent spate of violent assaults, Mr Goddard said: “We don’t need to go past midnight in Burleigh (lockout time) – nothing good happens after midnight anywhere.”
Mr Goddard’s 25-year-old daughter Bridget feels the same.
She even laments the changing face of her beloved Burleigh Bowls Club.
A recent visit to the venue with her nanna was spoiled by “guys racking up (drugs) in the bathroom” and “a DJ”.
Ms Goddard says the headland too is “wrecked”, with “broken glass, eight-ball bags and even syringes where small children collect shells”.
“The headland now seems to be the go-to pre-drinks spot. It’s not families having a quiet picnic anymore. It has turned quite feral,” she said.
“It’s very irritating for the locals who love and respect the area.”
Ms Goddard says she has often sat out on her balcony on the headland, watching punters pour out of the Pavilion through her binoculars.
“I’ve seen them yelling, screaming and fighting on more than one occasion,” she said.
“I have also witnessed surfers pulling glass out of their feet.
“When I’m trying to have a quiet lunch at Rick Shores all I can hear now is ruckus from above ( at the Burleigh Pavilion), and the cigarette smoke stinks.”
Nook employee Sam Brosnan echoed a similar sentiment. He said the “atmosphere totally changes” come nightfall.
The Pink Monkey management has been contacted for comment.