Island paradise is torn apart as Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel plans to build a beer garden on public land

A hotel and pub on a popular holiday island has divided locals over plans to build a beer garden on state-owned land and permanently close a public road.

The Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel at Point Lookout in southeast Queensland submitted a development application to Redland City Council in November.

The owners of the popular venue plan to build an 83m2 veranda, a 90m2 beer garden and a 32m2 cold room. Courier mail reports.

The extension would overlook 563 square meters of state forest land that was once part of a road to the coastal town but has not been used for 20 years.

The application also includes a request to permanently close a road reserve immediately adjacent to the hotel, which is currently covered in vegetation.

Locals claim that the road reserve leads to a car park and steps down to Cylinder Beach and provides a natural buffer between the beach and the hotel.

The reserve is also home to several koalas, goannas and native birds.

Residents are concerned that the proposed expansion will impact the use of public land and damage the natural environment surrounding the hotel.

The application includes a request to permanently close a road reservation next to the location

The new application comes more than twenty years after the community successfully fought against plans to expand the hotel in 2002.

The Supreme Court of Queensland found that the previous bid did not meet planning regulations or criteria in a Development Control Plan.

The court ultimately ruled that the expansion could not take place beyond the existing boundaries of the land the hotel currently occupies.

In response, the venue owners reworked plans and renovated the establishment in 2005 after a compromise was reached with the local community.

Twenty years later, local residents are once again in uproar over a new proposal, with many venting their frustration on the ‘Save Straddie’ Facebook page.

“That road should remain accessible to the public and as a habitat for the animals that live happily there,” one woman wrote.

‘I have personally seen koalas, goannas, carpet pythons and a large number of birds including curlews, butcher birds and parakeets all living there despite the huge number of hotel visitors. I believe the hotel already has enough land.’

‘Straddie is a beautiful place for nature, why do they want to take that away. Visitors go there to see our beautiful special animals that can only be seen in Australia. The koala is already at risk from overdevelopment,” said a second.

The latest extension proposal (pictured) includes a veranda, beer garden and cold room

Save Straddie has launched a petition in protest against the plans and has called on local people to object to the proposed closure of the road reserve.

The Queensland Government last month called on the community to submit their comments on the road closure to council.

A decision has yet to be made on whether to approve the development application.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel, Redland City Council and the Queensland Government for further comment.