The refurbished Main Beach Pavilion. Pic: Jerad Williams
A FEDERAL fraud probe will determine whether a heritage grant given to a surf club led to one of the city's most iconic beach buildings being gutted.An independent consultant has also been appointed by the State Government to investigate the $2 million redevelopment of the Main Beach bathing pavilion.
The Spanish mission-style building, built in 1934 along with the neighbouring clubhouse, forms part of one of the state's most important cultural heritage sites.
Documents show the Southport Surf Life Saving Club obtained a $366,000 federal national historic sites program grant and $400,000 from the council to upgrade the change rooms and convert the rest of the building into a museum.
But former Gold Coast and Hinterland Historical Society leader Don Magin has alleged walls were knocked down to create an extended kitchen, dining area and bar.
Mr Magin launched a Right To Information application that netted two conflicting architectural sketch plans.
Federal Department of Environment officers have been accused of "acting inappropriately" to protect the building which has led to a federal fraud control officer and a private investigator interviewing witnesses.
Area councillor Lex Bell, after forwarding concerns to the Crime and Misconduct Commission, excluded himself from the council's planning committee when it approved the upmarket bar.
Council documents show planning officers predicted the redeveloped pavilion could make $2.5 million a year and recommended councillors support it because it could become "the next Charis Seafoods".
Mr Magin claimed the planning process had been driven by greed and allowed both the external and internal fabric of the building to be destroyed.
Documents confirm Queensland environment officers warned that walls inside the heritage-listed building should not be altered.
Council heritage officers also advised their bureaucrats to scrutinise the project after the club had earlier made major changes to its historic clubhouse.
A Bulletin inspection found some old photographs displayed in the foyer, while the original "hall" had been extended by replacing walls with concertina doors. Modern aluminium fittings are used outside.
Mr Magin told the Bulletin: "If you look at it, it looks very tidy. But this was a protected building. They may have well just knocked it down. If you are going to be environmental vandals, knock the thing down."
A Federal Environment spokesman confirmed the grant process was being reviewed again after an initial check in late October, last year.
A council spokesman said the club's application was subject to a "rigorous examination" by the council and an independent review by the department.
"The rooms within the pavilion have been specifically designed so that there are moveable walls and dividers, allowing small functions to occur while still maintaining the museum component," the spokesman said.
Southport Surf Life Saving Club president Keith Rigby said the club did not wish to comment.
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