Langbroek launches carpark petition
SURFERS Paradise MP JohnPaul Langbroek has launched a petition to stop plans to sell the Bruce Bishop carpark.
Business owners in the city’s tourism heart are also voicing their concerns that the sale of the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre will hurt those recovering from light rail construction.
Former councillor Eddy Sarroff is organising a rally at Evandale about midday on Wednesday before full council debates and votes on the future of the 1.8ha site which could fetch $40-100 million.
Mr Langbroek and Councillor Tate are the Coast’s two LNP heavyweights, but the carpark issue has sparked a passionate political clash.
“The Gold Coast City Council’s proposal to sell the Bruce Bishop carpark will hamper the accessibility of Surfers Paradise, hurt local businesses, and hinder our tourism industry,” Mr Langbroek said.
“While our city is moving at full-speed ahead, the sale of this carpark will well and truly put the brakes on in Surfers Paradise – both in terms of traffic flow and economic growth.”
Mr Langbroek said he had been a strong campaigner against the sale of the Bruce Bishop carpark in 2004, which led to the then council to back off and improve the facility.
“If anything, the case to keep this asset has gotten stronger over the years as our city has grown. Not everyone catches public transport or the light rail. I’m calling on Gold Coast locals, small business owners and staff, and visitors to get behind the Surfers community by signing my petition to save the Bruce Bishop carpark.”
In a letter to Cr Tate and area councillor Gary Baildon, Infinity managing director Deborah Kelly said Surfers Paradise traders and commercial property owners had not recovered financially from the losses suffered during the construction of light rail.
“Clearly, the low tram patronage establishes beyond doubt that people prefer to travel by car, bus or other means, unless tram tickets are free,” Ms Kelly wrote.
Businesses say more than 1000 kerbside car parks were lost along the light rail route.
“The Bruce Bishop carpark to meet the city’s needs far into the future, whilst investing in a foundations that would support a 14-storey building above the bus station section,” Ms Kelly wrote. “This asset can now be realised, but it would be extremely foolish and short sighted to give up the parking spaces now as it will be impossible to replace them in the future.”