History of Chevron Island, Queensland, Australia
Chevron Island is a natural island formerly known as Goat Island. It was a cattle station linked to Evandale until the 1950s. It is believed that the name Goat Island comes from the time when the original station had a large goat population to help keep the hardier vegetation from taking over.
Aerial view over Chevron Island, Surfers Paradise, Queensland 1957. Photographer John Muller
The view from Bundall looks out to Budds Beach and Narrow Neck and shows the original Ferry Road to the ferry crossing, leading to Cavill Avenue.
This was prior to any development taking place on Chevron Island. Clearing and dredging work has been completed to create the western channel between Bundall and Chevron Island.
Jetty on the Surfers Paradise side of the Nerang River, looking across to Chevron Island, Queensland, 1940-1949
Chevron Island also had a jetty for the ferry crossing of the Nerang River to Cavill Avenue. Prior to reclamation, the Nerang River was wide and shallow with many sandbars and shifting banks. Dredging created deeper channels for navigation in the river and the spoil was used to create habitable islands and permanent river embankments, facilitating residential and commercial development.
Polish-born Developer Stanley (Shaja) Korman (1904 – 1988)
Polish-born developer Stanley (Shaja) Korman (1904 – 1988) had an ambitious project, his companies, Stanhill Corporation and the Chevron Group acquired extensive parcels of land surrounding the hotel site, including Wedgewood Island and Goat Island, which Korman renamed Paradise Island and Chevron Island respectively.
Through extensive re-contouring using sand pumping techniques, Chevron Island would become another testament to Korman’s enduring legacy.
Construction of the Bridge from Surfers Paradise
Construction of the bridge from Surfers Paradise is in its early stages. The original isthmus connecting Ferry Road to the island is still visible.
Stanley Korman speaking at the Opening of His Development
Stanley Korman speaking at the opening of his development and the bridge to Chevron Island, Surfers Paradise, Queensland, 12 March 1960
Chevron Island, Surfers Paradise, Queensland, 1960
Guests inspect a new home on Chevron Island, Surfers Paradise, Queensland, 1960
Chevron Island Decorative Arch
The unusual decorative arch was designed to discourage landowners from moving old houses to the new island estate. 1960.
Chevron Island 1966
1982 Aerial View over the Nerang River
1982 Aerial view over the Nerang River, Surfers Paradise, Queensland looking east towards the beach.
Pioneering Vision Transforms Chevron Island
Chevron Island’s history is a story of ambitious transformation. Originally called Goat Island due to its large goat population, the land served as a cattle station linked to Evandale until the mid-20th century.
During the 1950s, the Nerang River was wide, shallow, and filled with sandbars. Developer Stanley Korman recognised its potential, using sand pumping and dredging techniques to re-contour the land and create habitable embankments.
This reclamation project transformed the rural site into a sophisticated residential and commercial island. The official opening in March 1960, marked by the completion of the bridge connecting it to Surfers Paradise, cemented Korman’s legacy and solidified the island’s role in the Gold Coast’s urban evolution.
Author: Craig Douglas
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