Division over new plan for old Loft
CHEVRON Island residents are calling for the Gold Coast City Council to drastically improve traffic choke points ahead of one of the enclave’s most significant developments in decades.
A large chunk of the shopfronts on the southern side of Thomas Drive – the island’s main thoroughfare – will be demolished to make way for the 13-storey medium-rise with 30 units.
The project has been filed with the council by Yoxon Management, headed by 35year-old Surfers Paradise resident Daniel Walter William Yoxon.
The 841sq m site, which fronts both Thomas Dr and Karloo St, was once the home of The Loft, a high-profile restaurant in the 1980s and 1990s.
It is the latest in a range of towers proposed, under construction, or recently completed on the island.
However, long-time residents fear the surge in development will place increased pressure on a low supply of parking, traffic congestion and struggling infrastructure.
“With the congestion in peak times, there is no movement and an extra 2000 cars would put a huge strain on residents in being able to get on and off the island,” resident Lindsay Tierney said.
“I’m not against the progression of high-rises, but if they are going to be developed, do the developers contribute to the upgrading of infrastructure throughout the island?
“What is the plan for the future? What is it going to look like in five to 10 years if there is not going to be development of infrastructure?”
Development on Chevron
Island has long been a controversial issue, with the council abandoning plans for a major revamp of the Thomas Dr CBD in the late 2000s after an outcry from residents.
More than 20 towers have been proposed for the island in the past seven years, but only a handful have been built.
However, with more than $500m worth of projects under construction, residents want the ageing bridges that connect the island to both Surfers Paradise and Bundall to be upgraded and widened.
Long-time Chevron Island property owner Craig Sulzberger said the boom was a “once in a lifetime opportunity”, provided council properly planned for the growing pains.
“We have been a sleepy town by the sea for a long time now and a sleepy run-down seaside village for too long,” he said.
“I say smarten her up. The council will have plans for the traffic, but let us reap our rewards and enjoy the current boom with some sustainable sense.”