‘Dirty’ Glitter Strip fixes for the future
Pedestrianise Cavill, tax landlords and a big clean
TAXING landlords for having empty tenancies, a giant spring clean and “pedestrianising” Cavill Avenue are among operator suggestions for fixing Surfers Paradise’s image problem.
It comes after Bulletin columnist Ann Wason Moore questioned its appeal while Mayor Tom Tate says there is “only so much council can do”.
“We all know how iconic Surfers Paradise is which is why we have invested significant funds and effort in creating the new Surfers Paradise Business Centre Place Based Master Plan which included significant community consultation,” Cr Tate said.
“I’ve already seen some early works under way and have taken advantage of the lockdown to get some painting works done. However, there is only so much council can do. We need business to also put their best foot forward to present themselves and the precinct as best as possible.”
Surfers Paradise landlord Bob Ell said the hub needed to be revitalised, “no doubt about it”.
“But we need to focus on the whole of Surfers not just the beach side because there are a number of traders and good businesses which were affected by the introduction of the light rail. It’s also about everything down towards the Nerang River end.”
Mr Ell suggested pedestrianisation of Cavill Mall could extend further on Cavill Avenue past White Rhino, Finn McCool’s Irish bar and soon-tobe reborn Melbas bar at his site.
Costa D’Oro restaurant coowner Michael Fusco, who has lived and worked in Surfers
Paradise for more than three decades, said “it definitely needs a bit of a clean up”.
“It’s more of a clean up of image if anything,” he said. “More hygiene or cleaning maintenance like on Orchid Avenue. Some mornings have been looking a bit shabby or dirty.
“Particularly after a Friday or Saturday. It needs an extra clean. On weekends you have lots of tourists with families walking through looking for breakfast places.
“Even along the beachfront where they are doing up all those bollards in front of McDonald’s, that area is so filthy on the ground. It needs a gurney and a steam clean.”
The Surfers Paradise precinct’s ongoing master plan, done in consultation with business leaders and stakeholders, is the city’s vision to “enhance the unique identity of Surfers Paradise as an international landmark destination and major event precinct”.
Transport and pedestrian access will improve and new infrastructure will develop and activate the streetscape.
Street performer Joel Fenton, 34, has lived through 12 years of change and believes it does have an outdated look but is wary of more major
SURFERS PARADISE BEACH CAFE AND BAR’S ARTHUR DE SNOO construction hold-ups. “(Cavill Mall) had a revamp in 2012. It was a construction zone. It wasn’t a good time,” he said. “With any revamp, you do hope there is some consideration to not making (the area) a construction zone.
“A lot of businesses were shut down which made life tough – even for me, a street performer trying to make a living in the Mall. Everywhere needs a revamp after a while. (Surfers) certainly looks dated.
“It needs more open spaces – more places people can exercise and enjoy entertainment.”
Surfers Paradise Beach Cafe owner Arthur De Snoo, 54, said the suburb was “fine how it is, nothing wrong with it” – but it would be “nice” to have unfinished projects completed.
“Cavill Mall has been a permanent building site for three years,” he said. “There hasn’t been a week when there hasn’t been any work. I don’t know what it is but on Cavill Ave every week there seems to be something. It’s just poor planning. Every week it’s something else – a pipe, a tree, concrete.”
Walking around Surfers Paradise hot spots, it’s not hard to miss “for lease” signs.
Mr De Snoo said empty shops were the “biggest problem” and blamed overcharginging landlords: “People don’t come to an area with empty shops. It starts to look derelict and it’s the problem.
“Rent is unrealistic. Landlords would rather have it empty. If that doesn’t change you’ll continue to have the same problem. Put a tax on it if it’s empty so the landlord has to pay for it. It will make them want to occupy the shop.”
Matt Keegan, whose Artesian Hospitality stable includes White Rhino and Orchid Avenue nightclubs The Bedroom and Havana, said there was plenty to be optimistic about and the suburb “isn’t suffering at all”.
“Talk about what’s actually happening in Surfers – new openings, installation of greenery, multimillion-dollar new projects White Rhino, Best of Beers bar, Lost Kingdom nightclub and rumoured Cali Beach day and night rooftop club,” Mr Keegan said. “Surfers has already started to reinvent. The reality is it’s doing better than almost anywhere on the Coast.
“Take a look at pictures from restaurants and venues during the week and on the weekends, you’ll see packedout venues. The issue is not being able to fit enough people, not getting people to come.” YOUR THOUGHTS? EMAIL LETTERS@GOLDCOAST.COM.AU
PUT A TAX ON IT IF IT’S EMPTY SO THE LANDLORD HAS TO PAY FOR IT. IT WILL MAKE THEM WANT TO OCCUPY THE SHOP