We, the residents of Currumbin Waters and surrounding areas, are petitioning the Gold Coast City Council to halt the proposed installation of a 3-meter telemetry tower in the heart of Preston Park, along the sandbank access to Currumbin Creek.

While we understand the importance of flood monitoring and management, the proposed tower would have a lasting negative impact on the park, local wildlife, and the surrounding community. We believe there are alternative locations that would serve the same purpose without disrupting the peaceful nature of this public space.

KEY CONCERNS:

• INADEQUATE COMMUNITY CONSULTATION: 

  
  The Council did not provide clear or complete information about the proposed 3-metre telemetry tower. Initial communication was limited to a brief letter sent to select residents. The wording reasonably led many to assume it would be a small, unobtrusive installation, similar to others already present in the community. The true size, design, and exact location were only clarified after a concerned resident made further enquiries.

  Additionally, notification was limited to a small number of nearby residents. Many people living within close proximity to Preston Park, as well as frequent park users, were not informed at all. As a result, a large portion of the community was unaware that the tower was even proposed.

• IMPACT ON PARK ACTIVITIES:

  Preston Park is a highly valued community space used daily for recreation and social connection, including family gatherings, birthdays, picnics and BBQs, dog walking, recreational sport, and group activities such as yoga and Tai Chi. Many of these activities occur directly in front of the proposed tower location.

  The tower would also be placed along the park’s only accessible sandbank entry to Currumbin Creek - a key spot where families swim, kayak, fish, and enjoy the water’s edge. Its presence would significantly alter the character and atmosphere of this area, reducing its appeal for families, pet owners, and other park users. We are unaware of any assessments that have been undertaken to evaluate the potential social or environmental impacts of the tower on this community space.

  This proposed placement is inconsistent with the Gold Coast City Plan, which seeks to protect the amenity, function, and recreational value of public open spaces, and to ensure infrastructure is located in a way that minimises disruption to community use and enjoyment.

• VISUAL IMPACT:
  
  Gold Coast Council deliberately positions park benches and picnic areas in scenic locations to encourage relaxation, social interaction, and enjoyment of the natural environment. The proposed tower's location is in front of a fixed park bench and picnic area, undermining this purpose by obstructing views and dominating the outlook from these spaces.

  This location also represents one of the park’s last remaining unobstructed views of Currumbin Creek. While much of the creek is screened by vegetation, this area is a focal point where people gather to relax, read, meditate, and enjoy the natural setting. Placing a large, industrial structure here would replace a peaceful creek outlook with an urban intrusion, diminishing the park’s tranquility and natural character.

  This again contradicts the City Plan, which emphasises maintaining scenic quality, protecting public amenity, and supporting passive and active recreation (Open Space Zone Code; Strategic Framework – Theme 3: Place).

• DOMINATING STRUCTURE:
  
  We are also left wondering why this particular design was chosen, as it is significantly different to other existing structures around the Gold Coast. For example, the tower at Salk Oval is a narrow, less intrusive structure, unlike the large, dominating one proposed for Preston Park.
  
  This scale and style of the proposed tower dominates the local landscape and is inconsistent with the City Plan’s emphasis on infrastructure being compatible with surrounding uses, visually unobtrusive, and appropriately sited to protect public amenity (Community Facilities Code; Place-based planning – Strategic Framework Theme 3).
  
  Proper consultation would have allowed the community to raise these concerns before such a design was selected.
  
  
• ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
  
  The council has referenced studies indicating that VHF telemetry poses “very low risk” or is “unlikely to cause harm” to wildlife. These phrases still acknowledge uncertainty -  “low risk” is not “no risk,” and “unlikely” does not guarantee the absence of potential impacts. Additionally, the creek area is home to sensitive wildlife, and there is concern that the tower could have unforeseen impacts on the local ecosystem. 
  
  
• NOISE & LIGHT POLLUTION
  
  Even low levels of operational noise, such as from cooling fans or maintenance activities, could disturb the peaceful atmosphere of Preston Park. Additionally, the presence of warning lights, LED indicators, or other artificial lighting would disrupt the park’s natural night-time ambiance, affecting wildlife and the quality of the park experience for visitors.
  
  
• SAFETY RISKS:
  
  The metal tower could attract lightning during storms, creating a safety risk in an open public space. Furthermore, the structure may attract unsupervised children and/or teens or be vulnerable to vandalism. The potential for accidents or injury from a tall, metallic structure is a serious concern.
  
  
• LONG-TERM IMPACT:
  
  There is a fear that once this tower is installed, it could serve as a precedent for further industrial infrastructure in Preston Park, eventually transforming it into a utility zone. We want to prevent this, ensuring that the park remains a safe, accessible, and peaceful area for all residents.

OUR REQUESTS TO COUNCIL: 
We ask the Gold Coast City Council to:

• Reconsider the design of the telemetry tower to reflect less intrusive options, like those at Salk Oval or Robert Neumann Park.
• Reconsider the location and explore alternatives that do not disrupt this important community space. Suggested locations include:
  • In front of the toilet block, which has good natural light and does not obstruct park use
  • Further south within the industrial area, where the structure would have minimal impact on amenity
• Engage in meaningful consultation with all local residents, providing full project information and allowing the community to voice concerns before moving forward.
• Ensure all infrastructure respects the park’s natural beauty, recreational value, and role as a community green space.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

We need your support to stop this tower from being built in the proposed location.

• Sign the petition and share it with your friends, family, and neighbours. Every signature counts.
• Email the Council directly to express your concerns. Contact: JESSICAMOREIRA@goldcoast.qld.gov.au
• Contact our local MP (Gail O'Neill) to raise awareness: division14@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

Thank you for supporting our cause to keep Preston Park safe, natural, and peaceful!

PLEASE NOTE:

• We are not asking for donations however, we appreciate your support. Donations via Change.org do not come to us directly - they are used to boost the petition to reach more supporters. Every signature, no matter how small, makes a difference.
• The Gold Coast Council does not formally accept online petitions, however they do not go unnoticed. In the past they have been used to strengthen community awareness and outcomes. That said, if you see us collecting handwritten signatures in the park, please stop and add your details.

 

PROPOSED DESIGN OF THE 3M TELEMETRY TOWER: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPOSED LOCATION OF THE 3M TELEMETRY TOWER: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPACE IN WHERE IT IS TO BE LOCATED: