Businesses must be involved in Burleigh light rail decisions
BURLEIGH Heads is fast developing into a good food hotspot on the Gold Coast with a rich assortment of cuisines and price points to tempt hungry diners.
The announcements last week that two ‘hatted’ chefs have been poached from Sydney to front upmarket establishments in Burleigh only adds to the excitement.
Add in recent quality arrivals and the Chinese/Yum Cha to open before Christmas and it is not hard to see where the Village is going.
So, what is needed to ensure that Coast locals and visitors get a quality experience in Burleigh?
Firstly, food operators need to be given every chance for success, and be not treated with disdain like happened during the Commonwealth Games.
Their businesses need to be sustainable so that they can keep their doors open and keep on employing staff, and so it follows that they must have input into decisions such as location/design and how to minimize build disruptions of the proposed light rail tracks and terminus at Burleigh.
Meaningful consultation between Gold Coast Council/ G:Link and local businesspeople is therefore absolutely vital from the very moment the decision is made to build the tramway.
Parking disruptions are certain to cause headaches so work must start very soon on a new multistory car park on the existing Park Ave/Connor St site.
For efficiency and best car parking spaces yield, the existing council offices, Fradgley Hall and the kindergarten should be demolished and re-established within the new multi-story structure.
On re-building, the opportunity exists to include some business premises at street level in the new car park, to help offset operating costs and keep parking fees low. High fees just turn off visitors and potential patrons of the light rail.
Also, a policy decision needs to be made as to whether Burleigh Heads is to be a ‘park and ride’ location for the light rail, as this will have an impact on the number of spaces to be provided.
As to the location of the Burleigh Light Rail Station, the currently mooted spot at the Gold Coast Hwy/Connor St intersection is problematic due to the narrow width of the highway and the need to maintain good traffic flow for other vehicles.
Even with only one tram line (and a strip for alighting passengers) at this pinch point, parking would certainly be removed from out front of the food businesses heading in a northerly direction from Memorial Park. What then would happen to pedestrian movement and existing al fresco dining along this strip?
There is a simple solution to this problem: have only one tram line going through this pinch point with no stop, and locate the Burleigh terminus station just into Goodwin Tce (opposite the Old Theatre Arcade).
This location, in sight of Burleigh Beach, would provide an absolutely amazing and iconic journey’s end for light rail users.
The small number of car parking spaces lost could be relocated to the new multi-story carpark just one block away.
Light rail planners should give this proposed terminus location serious thought, and have meaningful early consultation with Burleigh locals.
The second matter, needing immediate attention, is one for the council.
Laneway bars and eateries (Melbourne style) in Justins Lane have been approved by council and trade well into the night.
However, there is no CCTV, little lighting and no public toilets in the lane, leading to public urination and defecation by patrons, out in the open.
The mayor and local councillor might take a walk up Justins Lane on a Saturday or Sunday morning to see what local businesses and workers have to put up with. Local laws need to be enforced to eradicate this disgusting behavior and ensure visitors get a quality experience in Burleigh.