Revitalisation crucial in ‘super division’
THE SEAT
Division 10 encompasses Main Beach, Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach Waters, Bundall until the Nerang River and canals.
WHO LIVES THERE
●Covers a total 2148ha ●Population: 47,519 as of 2018 ABS statistics ●Population Density: 22.12 persons per hectare ●Men: 21,878, 50.6 per cent ●Women: 21,395, 49.4 per cent
●Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Population: 366, 0.8 per cent ●Australian Citizens: 28,652, 66.2 per cent
●Eligible Voters: 24,594, 56.8 per cent
●Total dwellings (private and non-private): 26,619
A PUSH to fill empty storefronts and revitalise struggling suburbs is set to be the defining issue for one of the Gold Coast’s most high-profile divisions as the election approaches.
Division 10 will see a Melbourne Cup field of candidates race for the newly dubbed “super division” of Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Broadbeach Waters, Bundall and Main Beach.
In the running for council are Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw, son of retired councillor Paul Taylor Darren Taylor, former radio DJ Adrian Johnston, businesswoman Seema Chauhan, former councillor Eddy Sarroff, businessman Rowan Panozzo and former professional swimmer Stephen Cornelius.
Contentious issues including a cruise ship terminal and second casino have dominated debate, however community leaders have said their focus is on revitalising businesses and improving infrastructure.
Businesses in areas like Main Beach have struggled to attract visitors and remain open for several years now.
Main Beach Progress Association president Georgie Brown has now called on council to incentivise business owners and revitalise the area.
“There have been various communities that imposed a penalty tax on landlords who keep their shops empty for more than months,” she said. “There should be an incentive for them to put something in their shops that attracts people.
“It probably won’t be the most popular suggestion, certainly from the landlords point of view, but council needs to do something to encourage the commercial property owners to maintain the streetscape and retail environments.
“That’s the only way we can see it happening.”
Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce representatives have also shared their major concerns for the region.
Vice president for Surfers Paradise and Bundall Paul Jaffar said delivering on the Surfers Paradise Masterplan was his main focus.
“We want to ensure that comprehensive calendar of events is maintained in the precinct,” he said.
“We need adequate transport infrastructure and transport. The disbanded Heart of the City committee needs to be recommissioned.”
The Heart of the City committee was an organisation of community leaders which proposed ideas for Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. It was disbanded several years ago.
Vice president for Broadbeach Boyd Sargeant said business owners in Broadbeach wanted: “Better parking, including Park and Ride facilities for the light rail.”