REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Thursday, February 8, 2007

THE Gold Coast was given a great big birthday surprise with the announcement of a $34 million revamp of the Southport Broadwater foreshore to celebrate Queensland’s 150th anniversary in 2009.

The Southport Broadwater Parklands redevelopment was to blend art, culture, an events precinct, children’s play areas and water features in what would become a stunning legacy to mark the state’s birthday.

No commercial operations or intrusive structures were allowed in what will be the People’s Parkland, similar to the beautiful $30 million rejuvenation of Townsville’s Strand which opened in 1999.

The Beattie Government announced the distribution of a $100 million Legacy Infrastructure Funding program to create 79 projects throughout the state to celebrate the birthday milestone, with the Gold Coast scoring the biggest chunk of funding.

The project was the brainchild of Southport MP Peter Lawlor who had been hustling to get the funding since the Gold Coast City Council made a submission to the government in 2006.

The $16 million contributed to the project paid for almost half the works and far exceeds the council’s original request.

Mr Lawlor said once redeveloped, the Parklands would be one of Australia’s great foreshore parks and a major attraction.

“The Southport waterfront has played a significant role in the development of tourism on the Gold Coast and, indeed, helped build the tourism profile of Queensland,” he said.