SUBURB WATCH
YOUR LOCAL UPDATE ON COUNCIL PROJECTS
1. Miami toilet break
MIAMI Beach-goers who really need to relieve themselves will no longer have to walk as far after a new toilet block was built. The toilets, in Thorn Park, were designed to help families in the area during the day, with one female and one male toilet. A disability toilet with a baby change table was also included. The block will be locked at night.
2. Oxenford slipway
OXENFORD drivers are being warned to take it slowly around roadworks on the slip road in Binstead Way to the M1.
The Gold Coast City Council will begin lengthening the left lane slipway by about 100m over the next two weeks to improve access to the M1. The $1.1 million upgrade will include demolishing the kerb in the centre median strip, building a new footpath and installing street lights. Oxenford councillor William OwenJones said the works may cause traffic congestion due to partial road closures required for the works.
3. Burleigh big brother
THE Burleigh Heads precinct has been given a security boost with more fixed permanent CCTV cameras installed in the area. The news cameras are on the corner of the Gold Coast Hwy and The Esplanade, the corner of the Gold Coast Hwy and Goodwin Tce, Memorial Park and John Laws Park. Local councillor Pauline Young said the cameras were installed after an increase in restaurants and bars led to more people in the area. “Community safety must continue to be a priority and anti-social behaviour can have a huge impact on our businesses, local residents, families and seniors,” Cr Young said.
4. Mudgeeraba sports field goal
AN underused cricket wicket at Sid Bigg Park has been turned into a soccer pitch for the junior Mudgeeraba Soccer Club. A laser was used to reshape the fields to improve the drainage and to the Old Pacific Hwy are completed. The $3.4 million roadworks between Leo Graham Way and Tamborine Oxenford Rd will widen the lanes in both directions and resurface the road to remove potholes. Partial road closures will be in force and where possible, works will be at night to reduce traffic congestion. Oxenford councillor William Owen-Jones suggested drivers use the alternative Tamborine Oxenford Rd Deviation to help reduce traffic congestion.
6. Winders Park works
THE resealing to the access road in Winders Park is about to be completed. The road was converted to a one-way system to improve safety and access for both motorists and pedestrians. Parking along the creek edge has been removed but parallel parking will still be allowed along the park edge. The removal of the parking was due to cars causing erosion along the creek bank. Currumbin councillor Gail O’Neill said the park would be a prime vantage point for next year’s Commonwealth Games road cycling events.
7. Quota footpath
A WIDER shared footpath at Quota Park at Land’s End in Runway Bay has been completed. Runaway Bay councillor Kristyn Boulton said the wider footpath was a part of the city’s push for a healthy and active lifestyle. “We hope to encourage more locals to visit and engage in the active and healthy programs run throughout Quota park and use the seaside exercise equipment that has been recently refurbished,” she said.
8. Surf Pde upgrades
WEEKS of street works in Broadbeach are almost over with the installation of new traffic signals almost finished. The Gold Coast City Council has removed the roundabout from the Margaret Ave and Surf Pde corner to be replaced by the traffic lights. The works also include pedestrian refuges, access ramps and a wider footpath on the western side of Surf Pde. A wider path will also be built on the northern side of Margaret Ave between Surf Pde and Old Burleigh Rd.
9. Lagoon loo upgrades
PREPARING for a dip at Ian Dipple Lagoon just became easier with upgrades to the change rooms and toilets now completed. The Harley Park toilet block at Labrador underwent upgrades to the change rooms. Work also included installation of two additional single beach showers in the area. The upgrades were completed with money from the developer contribution for the parks expenditure fund.
10. Park upgrades for safety
FOUR new sandstone blocks have been placed in Tugun Park to help improve safety in the area. The park has been redesigned as part of a program which increases crime prevention through environmental design. The redesign included removing timber edges from garden beds and replacing them with concrete, and screwing the sandstone blocks into an existing concrete stand for seating.
11. Bus stop upgrades
A “BRIDGE” has been built over a stormwater outlet as a part of bus stop upgrades in Brisbane Rd, Arundel. The upgrades, designed to improve safety of students from A.B. Paterson College who use the stop, were to move pedestrians off the main road and improve access to riding for the disabled stables.
12. Grass mound to park
AN UNLEVELLED mound of grass in a Biggera Waters park has been turned into an outdoor space for sports like soccer and football. The Habourtown North Park will be transformed with trees, signage and seating.