TIMING, COSTS NOW PRIORITY
AT FIRST glance the State Government’s plan for The Spit is a mix of everything Gold Coasters wanted for the area.
Plenty of open space on the northern end, upgraded facilities to make fishing and beach access easier and then on the southern end, five sites set aside for commercial development.
The inclusion of superyacht berths is smart given the burgeoning sector and strong contingent of Gold Coasters including Gold Coast City Marina and Southport Yacht Club to drive more floating palaces this city’s way. Equally an underwater dive garden has merit.
The overall vision for something rivalling – and given the Coast’s natural beachfront attractions – probably usurping New York’s famed Central Park for amenity – is admirable and achievable.
But the trip to get this draft master plan containing the Labor State Government’s blueprint for what many hope will be the city’s next big tourist drawcard has been farcical.
The State Government suddenly pulled any support for a $3 billion integrated resort development in 2017 without much explanation after stringing ASF along for so long it resulted in a $9m compensation payout.
They then spent almost two years with wishy-washy ideas and drawn-out community consultations to get to this point.
To be fair, the LNP has previously admitted stuffing around for too long when it came to Spit planning as well.
This vision unveiled by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and dreamed up after plenty of consultation – with more engagment to come – captures the imagination but there is no real detail.
The lackadaisical timetable for when the first works might start does not instill confidence, nor are there any costings yet.
Ms Palaszczuk could not say when the first sod might be turned or even if it would be before the end of the year.
An estimated budget has not even been considered but it is expected to be considered in this year’s Budget.
What is clear is the Gold Coast cannot afford to waste another 15 to 20 years deciding what to do with an area which has the potential to be an unequaled mix of development and nature.
The area, inspired by Central Park in New York, has the potential to offer something you don’t see anywhere else in Australia. Without action now, The Spit could continue to be an unrealised pipe dream.
There are problems the State Government knows about but is yet to plan for.
Traffic congestion is already frustrating people in the area and whether a light rail link as mooted fixes that is unclear.
It’s not uncommon to see a massive line-up at the traffic lights near Sundale Bridge.
Yesterday it took 40 minutes to get from The Spit to Southport.
The plan while light on detail has promises of ferries, trams and a potential widening of the road.
Whether this is enough to address all the traffic problems remains to be seen.
But at first blush, the draft master plan promises plenty. The key will be following through and driving a project that sticks to timelines and gains community backing.