New look at Burleigh
NEW designs reveal how one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic beach viewing areas – the Burleigh headland – will be reduced to traffic.
Concerned residents who oppose the changes have contacted the Bulletin after viewing the updated artist impressions released by council.
When the Bulletin broke the story last month about the proposal to remove car parking on the headland and replace it with a toilet and grassed areas, some readers described it as “ludicrous”.
Only 29 per cent of people responding to the newspaper’s survey supported it, and those opposed included seniors and residents who were physically impaired, requiring a bus trip to take in the magnificent views north to Surfers Paradise.
The changes show the existing car parks would be replaced by a short-term loading zone and an “equitable access car park zone”. The aim is to create a “headland celebration space”.
Details released on the Burleigh Heads Placing Making Plan show:
● Goodwin Tce will have traffic calming and improved pedestrian crossings. Additional car parking is placed down from the headland at Rudd Park. Garden beds have been moved to provide increased pedestrian circulation area. Shade structures would be installed above some existing seats.
● James St will boast a new formal mid-block pedestrian crossing with build outs to ensure safe, equitable all-access street crossing. Other improvements include an “allweather arbour with functional art” along with feature lighting, trees and subtropical planting.
● The Esplanade will have street tree planting on the western side for shade, kerb extensions and street print to increase pedestrian amenity in the car park. There will be some changes to on-street parking.
● Lower Gold Coast Hwy will see changes including relocating the pedestrian crossing further from West Burleigh Rd corner. There will be new street trees and where possible footpaths widened to minimum 1.5m.
Mayor Tom Tate said feedback would influence the direction of the Burleigh Heads Place Making Plan.
“As the Gold Coast continues to grow at one of the fastest rates in Australia, the city is committed to ensuring our centres continue to meet the lifestyle and commercial needs of our residents and businesses,” he said.
“Burleigh Heads is a beloved part of our city and we want to ensure we strike the right balance between functionality and retaining the area’s iconic identity in a postlight rail Burleigh Heads,” Cr Tate said.
“From street artwork, improved lighting to additional shading and seating areas, we’re seeking your input on what projects should be delivered to improve enhance the amenity of Burleigh’s village character.
“Our draft concepts will also explore the possibility of changing existing carparking arrangements so we can open up more green space for the public.
“I want to reassure the local community there will be no net loss to car parking in the area, any proposed projects are concept only and we want to ensure the locals have been fully consulted before any changes are determined,” Cr Tate said.
Council is seeking input from residents until May 19.