CROPS NOT GOLF COURSES
A GOLD Coast university boffin suggests golf courses make way for crop fields in a challenge to think outside the square in shaping the city’s future. The professor’s brainwave involves converting 18holers when their “life is over” into “productive parks – where high-value food crops are grown, processed and sold”.
GOLD Coasters are being challenged to think outside the square when shaping the city’s future, including turning golf courses into crop paddocks.
“If we think the future is predictable and inevitable, then we’re handing it over to others and that has never been the Gold Coast way,” said Professor Paul Burton, director of Griffith University’s Cities Research Institute.
“The Gold Coast’s future is ours to make.”
The town planner said improving the city could be as simple as rethinking the use of golf courses, as the demand for golf plateaus, and in some instances courses became unviable economically.
“Until recently we were very reluctant to see them turned into anything else and for good reasons: we don’t want to lose the green space and wildlife habitat they offer,” Prof Burton said.
“But perhaps instead of being turned into a masterplanned residential community when their golf course life is over, they could become productive parks.
“Places where high-value food crops are grown, processed and sold for example. Where new growing and processing technologies are developed and applied and where local residents and visitors watch and learn.”
He said while there were some privately owned courses, there were still many publicly accessible ones that could be converted and enjoyed by more residents.
Prof Burton shared his ideas at a recent Young Professionals Gold Coast event, where the Gold Coast Great Ideas 2021 report was unveiled and published online.
The academic also predicted infrastructure would require evolution and implored tourism companies to capitalise on eco-opportunities as a complementary industry to the region’s famed theme parks
“With a 60km beachfront, more canals than Venice and World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests, we can offer tourists and visitors something they can’t get anywhere in the world,” he said.
“Making these available in sustainable ways that don’t destroy themselves in the process is a challenge, but one that emerging Gold Coast ecotourism operators, including indigenous tourism ventures are up for.”
Professor Burton said people should consider how transporting goods could evolve, whether they’re delivered by dedicated freight ways or by drones, suggesting the latter could reduce congestion pressure on local roads.
He also expects the way Gold Coasters use cars and petrol stations will change.
“Our servos are already becoming places to access a range of services, rather than just filling up on fuel and this will continue to accelerate as they turn into places to get your virus test, vaccination and pick up your parcels while charging your vehicle.”