SURFERS PARK IS SHUT TO PUBLIC
NEAL Shannon Park, above the Bruce Bishop Car Park in Surfers Paradise, is to be permanently closed as council continues work on repairing one of the city’s major assets.
A council spokesperson said remedial works on the car park and rooftop were continuing, with the park off limits to the public.
Council on its website is advising residents and locals to use the nearby Lionel Perry Park in Peninsular Drive.
Bruce Bishop car park’s 1640 spaces provide up to 40 per cent of parking in inner Surfers Paradise.
“Work currently under way includes the removal of soil, trees, turf, pavers, seating and other park assets and will continue for some weeks,” a council spokesperson said.
The next phase will involve strengthening work to five pad footings in the car park structure, which is expected to start around June.
“During the works a minimum of 900 car park spaces will be available. The car park rooftop area will remain closed to the public after the park is removed,” the spokesperson said.
The council maintains work being conducted in the car park precinct will not affect the number of car spaces available.
Area councillor Gary Baildon said he had received no feedback from residents or traders about the works. He parked at the facility in recent days.
The council sold the car park for $48 million to the Care Park and Far East Consortium in July 2018.
But legal action from the Save Surfers Paradise group to maintain the community asset stalled negotiations.
The state’s corruption watchdog has since cleared council of any wrongdoing in the lead up to the sale.