Qld premier rules out cruise ship terminal

Queensland's premier has ruled out a massive cruise ship terminal and resort planned near one of the Gold Coast's iconic surf breaks.

Concerned locals have been campaigning against the $2 billion project ever since it was proposed near Kirra Beach.

The project included a cruise ship terminal and yacht mooring marina, hotels, a casino, units and shops.

A huge paddle-out protest was planned at the beach on Sunday, but Premier Campbell Newman has now ruled out the project.

"There would be no cruise ship terminal at Kirra Beach," Mr Newman told the Gold Coast Bulletin on Thursday.

"While we always welcome new ideas about how to grow the state, we will simply never entertain the idea of a cruise ship terminal at Kirra Beach.

"Our beaches are just too important - not just as a natural wonder or as a place for families and surfers - but also for the central role they play in Gold Coast tourism.

"Tourists have flocked back to the Gold Coast this summer - it's been the best holiday period in years - and our magnificent beaches are one of the big reasons why.

The surf break is where Mick Fanning spent his grommet years and the three-time world surfing champion was due to join this weekend's protest.

The Save Our Southern Beaches Alliance applauded the premier and said the paddle-out would still go ahead, but not as a protest.

"This is a huge victory for all those who campaigned so hard against such a devastating proposal for North Kirra," spokesman Andrew McKinnon said in a statement.

"We will use this victory as a celebration to paddle out proudly on this Sunday."