Parking site rethink key in Surfers’ future talks

THE latest twist in the Bruce Bishop Carpark saga will be music to the ears of many in Surfers Paradise. If indeed councillors vote in favour of stopping the sale and keeping the parking facility, traders in Surfers will be over the moon. The latest report shows the facility is making a profit, and it will be unable to meet demand at peak times in less than a decade.

It has been a long-running concern for those operating in the heart of the Glitter Strip that if the Bruce Bishop site is sold, there will be nowhere for people to come and park. This would make it harder for people visiting the Coast yet not staying in Surfers from driving into the precinct.

And as for locals, many have already given up on the idea of going to Surfers and the car park sale would potentially make that situation worse. Gold Coast City Council has an obligation to ratepayers to explore all avenues when it comes to getting the best bang for our buck.

And examining selling such a significant chunk of land to see what financial return it could provide for the city was a worthwhile exercise.

But clearly Surfers Paradise will always be an important cog in the city’s reputation as a tourism hotspot – some even maintaining that it is still the jewel in the crown. And in order for that reputation to be maintained then people need to be able to drive there and have somewhere to park. No matter what the evolution of Surfers Paradise looks like, that aspect will not change in a hurry.

So our councillors should be applauded for keeping an open mind on this issue and remaining flexible.

Because if indeed the parking facility is able to operate at a profit, bringing cash into City Hall’s coffers, then it works to keep it as a valuable city asset on multiple fronts.