Eat street reborn
Tradies out, foodies in after massive reno at dining hub
IT took nine months of pain but Broadbeach traders finally have a new baby to celebrate in the form of a refurbished Surf Parade.
The dining precinct’s main drag reopened to traffic before the long weekend after a $5 million council beautification that resulted in months of disruptive works and reported revenue falls of up to 75 per cent for some businesses.
However, with major works finally completed, the likes of Coffee Club and 123 owner David Bennedick are more focused on the future than the past.
“It’s probably taken a bit longer than it should have but the end result is a more attractive Surf Parade,” he said of the project that included the widening of footpaths and underground maintenance.
“It’s a more modern look, which can only be a good thing 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES HOST CITY for alfresco dining. The feedback from both locals and tourists has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s been unanimous from our customers that they’re really, really happy with the look and that the street is open again.”
Julie Willis, whose Giardina Gelati Pasticicceria opened in Surf Parade in recent weeks, said foot traffic had increased significantly since barricades came down.
“I can see straight away there are more people wandering around,” she said.
“We would’ve been in here earlier but we got held up and that worked out well, otherwise we would have been opening in a stressful time … instead the street looks great now it’s finished.”
This year Broadbeach councillor Paul Taylor successfully lobbied councillors for an extra $100,000 to speed up the “noisy and dusty” works, while impacted traders also received al fresco dining tax relief.
Broadbeach Alliance chief executive Jan McCormack said she was particularly excited given the precinct’s annual Blues festival would be held from May 18-21.
“Any development like this is tough for traders but the finished product is phenomenal,” she said.
“The new outdoor dining areas are all uniform and look really clean and sharp, while the planting council has done is great … Broadbeach looks pretty special at the moment.
“I’m really excited with the big festivals about to start. Last year the Oasis was under construction but that’s nearly complete and now Surf Parade has been upgraded. It’s really going to make a difference.”
Contractors will remain onsite over coming weeks to complete minor details, with some street parking bays closed to the public.