‘HEART-STARTER’ A COMMUNITY EFFORT

AS we look around our city and assess the impact of COVID we can see the emergence of empty spaces – begging the question as to who and which businesses will have the courage to fill these areas. Vacancy rates across our city centre are increasing and could reach 20-30 per cent. A fraction of Melbourne and Sydney – however we must think quickly as to how we can repurpose these spaces and bring activity to renew the centre of Gold Coast.

When the borders do open, we will be welcoming many new arrivals and we need to showcase a vibrant city that has survived COVID and present a picture of hope. Walking past empty shops is depressing and sad and, in a way, wasteful.

One thought is to transform the empty shop fronts into meanwhile or ‘in the meantime’ spaces. Creating a sense of activity while the city gets back on its feet. That’s right, a bold idea perhaps but if landlords and our local government can work together to identify solutions such as temporary contracts that allow community groups, small businesses or individuals to move into these vacant spaces and set up shop on the understanding that they will leave within an allotted time.

If we look at other cities around the world, we see that artists and other creatines have long used empty commercial buildings as studios and gallery spaces, but now others are seeing the potential. The uses to which these spaces are put can be excitingly different with the aim to “create socioeconomic value from vacant property”. Some cities have seen the return to the city spaces of textile designers, carpenters, hatmakers, kombucha brewers, tech businesses, charities, and tailors.

Diverse and potentially eclectic maker spaces are in turn place-making with a purpose to re-engage with the community. There has been a return to arts and crafts during COVID with all of us tapping into opportunities to be more creative or recall our younger days and introduce these special arts and crafts to our younger generation in the pursuit of encouraging them to spend less time on digital devices. New businesses are recognising these new interests. Quite nostalgic to think that something old is new again.

Surfers Paradise is recognised by tourists and visitors as our city centre, yet it lacks a connection with local residents and this needs to be rectified. When locals start to identify with the heart of a city, it will be even more attractive to tourists and visitors. We should be encouraging our local creatines and emerging talent to beautify and bring to life these empty spaces. The heart of the Gold Coast is in need of much love and attention – but it will take a collaborative effort to make this happen and a long-term outlook for the benefit of our city.

We can only hope that as we move towards the summer holiday season, that we all support our homegrown tourism sector. Meanwhile, we will be joined by those who have fallen in love with the Gold Coast over the past few months.

The resurgence in the ‘attraction to Gold Coast’ not seen since the late 1980s, has put our city back in the spotlight not only as the number one holiday destination but the most desired place to live.

What a wonderful opportunity this presents for our city. A time for us to open our arms and welcome new visitors and residents and make them welcome.