Mick Fanning wants to save his favorite beach, Kirra beach.
Media Statement:
World surfing champ Mick Fanning speaks out to save his favorite beach.
Three-time world surfing champion signs change.org petition opposing $2 billion cruise ship terminal and casino at Kirra beach on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia; “we’re going to lose one of the greatest surf destinations on earth,” says Fanning.
Gold Coast, Australia – Three-time world surfing champion Mick Fanning has joined a campaign to save his favorite Gold Coast surf beach from a proposed $2 billion cruise ship terminal.
Fanning, who spent his teenage years honing his surfing skills at Kirra beach on the Gold Coast in Queensland, spoke out today about the controversial development planned at the beach.
Fanning has signed a petition on change.org opposing the development, as well as tweeting about the petition to his 138,000 Twitter followers. More than 7500 people have signed the petition.
Today, Fanning released the following statement:
“My favourite wave in the world is Kirra… and I’m not the only surfer that feels that way. So when I heard about the proposed cruise ship terminal my first thought was we’re going to lose one of the greatest surf destinations on earth.
“The more I looked into the proposed development though I realized we are at risk of losing so much more than the wave. The pollution that comes from these cruise ships will no doubt have an impact on marine life and the beautiful crystal clear waters surfers, families and visitors enjoy on the Gold Coast every day.
“The unprecedented reclaiming of public land and beach that makes up part of our coastal lifestyle will be taken from us and future generations. This development is wrong on so many levels and I hope people that share my view make their voices heard and join the resistance.”
Fanning and fellow surfing champion Joel Parkinson will take part in a “Paddle-Out” protest at North Kirra on Sunday week (19 January). Those who can’t paddle are being asked to turn up at the beach for a land-based protest.
Petition starter and Save Our Southern Beaches Alliance spokesman Andrew McKinnon said: “There should be no terminals or casinos on any section of the coastal strip from South Straddie to the Coolangatta Tweed border.
“We are totally united against any Cruise Ship Proposal for either end of the Coast and the desperate land grab of public land for commercial developments. Brisbane is a far better venue capable of handling such an industry and is only an hour from the Gold Coast.
“We will work in with the State Government authorities to plan for a Heritage listing of our precious 38 kilometres of the iconic Gold Coast strip from South Straddie to the Coolangatta/Tweed border and to ensure we protect our priceless natural assets, some of which have already been declared as part of the National Surf Reserves strategy for our future generations.”
For live signature updates and comments on the petition:
http://www.change.org/petitions/premier-campbell-newman-don-t-sell-off-our-beaches-reject-the-proposal-for-a-cruise-terminal-at-kirra-and-bilinga?share_id=LPGLeRGfrC&utm_campaign=invite_page_mobile&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=share_petition
