Five paths to greatness
WITH more than $12.5 billion invested in infrastructure projects on the Gold Coast in the next year, developers say the Glitter Strip is on track to be the “world’s best subtropical city”.
A report by Urbis, commissioned by Young Property Gold Coast, highlights five “great ideas” to continue the Coast’s growth.
The five “great ideas” are: To create retail developments and strengthen the CBD; education and skills, including more student accommodation; infrastructure, including a public ferry service and ongoing light rail development; more art spaces, cultural developments and public Wi-Fi; and a shared aesthetic, including a planning framework to deliver connected neighbourhoods.
Matthew Schneider, the director of planning at Urbis Gold Coast, said the report refined ideas for a shared agenda for the city’s future.
“The five ideas came out of our experience as town planners, economists and designers working on the Gold Coast and from our understanding of how to shape cities,” he said.
“These ideas build on the city’s strengths and look towards a broader, stronger and more diverse future.”
With the population expected to peak at almost 700,000 in 2026, the report stresses the importance of catering to population growth to address “growing pains”.
Acting Mayor Cr Donna Gates said Southport’s regeneration, education options, and transport developments were already high on council’s agenda, but many had to be driven by the private sector.
“Revitalisation is happening in Southport right now,” she said. “We saw the announcement of a $500 million aged care, retail, residential, art and public space at Queen Street.
“Student accommodation is high on our agenda and our City Plan encourages the right development in the right location.
“Ultimately, this must be driven by the private sector and there are key private sector developments happening, with investment in Southport, Varsity and Robina.”
She said tertiary students were targeted in a Study Gold Coast program titled which creates employment opportunities for students.
Cr Gates also agreed a ferry service would be a great idea to use the Coast’s waterway.
“We want to see the start of some commercial ferry services around Surfers, the Broadwater, the Spit and Southport – we plan on lobbying the newly elected State Government.”