Images of kids covered in mud sliding down grassy hills on the Gold Coast go viral every time there is a major rain event in south-east Queensland.<\/p>\n
It has become a tradition, providing hours of fun for stir-crazy teenagers who travel from all over to tackle the hills at Kirra and North Burleigh.<\/p>\n
But the City of Gold Coast is sick of cleaning up the mess and is putting an end to the mud sliding once and for all.<\/p>\n
The city is planting trees and installing sandstone seating terraces at regular intervals on the hills to end the practice for good.<\/p>\n
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Rough plans for the levels of sandstone seating terraces to be built at Kirra Hill. (Supplied: Gold Coast City Council)<\/p>\n
The damage done to the grass during Tropical Cyclone Alfred was the final straw, after residents complained it was an eyesore and left behind a foul smell.<\/p>\n
Councillor Gail O’Neill said “thousands” of dollars of ratepayers’ money had been spent re-turfing the hills.<\/p>\n
“We have been putting up with this for years, but over the last couple of years we have got lots of complaints,” she said.<\/p>\n
“It takes a whole lot of money and a whole lot of time to restore.<\/p>\n
“The hill is there for everybody, not just for a few kids \u2014 and adults \u2014 who want to mud slide down there.”<\/p>\n
Kirra Hill is a popular place for children to create mud slides following heavy rain. (ABC News: Dominic Cansdale)<\/p>\n
Locals divided on sliding ban<\/p>\n
The decision has polarised public opinion.<\/p>\n
While mud sliding has prompted plenty of complaints, not everyone is in favour of the change.<\/p>\n
Long-time local Lorna Bartholomew, 83, said she had seen generations of kids enjoy sliding down Kirra Hill \u2014 mostly recently, her three grandsons during storms earlier this year.<\/p>\n