The Gold Coast has always had a macho attitude, but recent discussions online argue that we may have left a sign of manhood on the landscape… or four. Aerial photos of the Surfers Waters Estate in Southport show four bulging penisnulas.
The Canal System and Erosion Issues
Surfers Waters is a product of the Gold Coast canal system. In the 1980s, authorities realised that canals were causing significant erosion along the Nerang River and the Seaway due to excessive water flow. As a result, the council banned all canal developments connecting directly to the Nerang River. This is why developments such as Bond and Clear Island Waters, as well as Robina, feature weirs separating their waterways from the river—technically making them lakes rather than true canals.
The Developer’s Intent
It appears that the developers of this particular site wanted to create a canal-style aesthetic while avoiding the restrictions on river-connected canals. By constructing a large artificial lake, they were able to achieve a waterfront feel for homeowners, similar to what is still being done near Q Centre today.
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The Unusual Shape – A Hard-To-Miss Feature
One particularly interesting aspect of this lake is its unusual shape, which has led to some rather cheeky comparisons. Let’s not beat around the bush—these peninsulas bear an uncanny resemblance to, well, a very specific part of the male anatomy. But let’s not get too excited; the design likely stemmed from a practical objective: maximising the number of large blocks with waterfront access. By using a peninsula-style layout, the developers could increase the number of premium waterfront properties while cleverly disguising the fact that it was merely a lake rather than a true canal.
Was this an architectural oversight or a tongue-in-cheek joke by the developers? We may never know, but either way, it’s certainly a landmark that stands out in more ways than one.
Tracing the Development History
Further investigation into property records and historical articles sheds light on the development process. Sunland acquired six allotments in January 1992, but by that time, the earthworks had already been completed.
The developer responsible for the initial earthworks was Peter Kurts Properties Ltd, led by Peter Kurts—the same man known for purchasing and demolishing Cloudland in Brisbane. Unfortunately, Kurts passed away in 2005, so we cannot gain further insight from him. However, other key figures may have been involved in the project’s design.
Financial Troubles and Ownership Changes
Digging deeper into the records, it turns out that Peter Kurts Properties Ltd purchased the land from Tricontinental Corporation, a mortgagee that had taken over after the original developer, Isili Holdings Pty Ltd, went bankrupt. Isili Holdings had spent $7 million on earthworks and services before financial difficulties forced them to relinquish control in November 1991.
Interestingly, original plans intended for the “peninsula islands” to accommodate only a single house each. However, subsequent developers saw an opportunity for greater profit and subdivided the islands into multiple lots, proving once again that in real estate, size isn’t everything—it’s how you divide it up that counts.
