Surfers Paradise, August 27, 2025 — Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has officially completed the purchase of the last parcel of land comprising the former Surfers Paradise Bowls Club site in a private deal valued at approximately $4.17 million. This acquisition by his consortium, Crestden Pty Ltd, now provides full ownership over the 1,833 sqm property at 72 Remembrance Drive.
A Two-Decade-Long Property Saga Comes to a Close
The deal concludes a property saga that began in 2005. Initially, Crestden acquired the clubhouse and greens to assist with the club’s debt, paying significantly less than earlier market estimates. This final purchase cements the consortium’s hold on the entire site.
The parcel was previously council-owned and passed briefly through Nerang East Pty Ltd in August 2022, before being acquired by Crestden in June 2025. Settlement occurred in July.
Transparency Questions Spark Calls for an Investigation
Former NSW Court of Appeal judge and Centre for Public Integrity chair Anthony Whealy KC questioned the purchase, noting:
“Mayor Tate’s company has been able to secure a very valuable property for an amount of money which appears at face value to be very much less than what it’s actually worth.”
Another local critic, Eddy Sarroff—who ran against Tate in the 2024 mayoral race—said the deal “didn’t pass the pub test” and urged the matter be referred to the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC).
Tate Defends the Deal as Fair and Transparent
Mayor Tate maintained that the land ceased being council property when Nerang East purchased it, and that this final deal was a private market transaction between consenting parties. He stated:
“I purchased it privately from a private person… a fair deal.”
He reaffirmed that the property was openly available when he made his move, letting the market determine its value.
What’s Next: Development Potential Under Scrutiny
With full ownership, Tate’s consortium holds prime development potential. The site is zoned for unlimited height—making it a lucrative candidate for high-rise projects that could reshape the Surfers Paradise skyline.
However, given concerns over governance transparency and potential conflicts of interest, calls for an independent review over future development decisions are likely to intensify.
