TATE’S PLAN FOR SPIT
MAYOR Tom Tate is lobbying for the The Spit to be renamed to complete its transformation into the Gold Coast’s answer to New York’s Central Park.
Cr Tate has unveiled the details of his proposal for the redevelopment of the peninsula, which he said could become a “green oasis”.
But Cr Tate insists a fresh name is crucial in the success of a revamp, suggesting a shortlist could be put out for community consultation and a vote.
“I would suggest that once the plan is adopted we should have a name change, because ‘Spit’ to me is not a pleasant name, especially when talking to international visitors,” he said. “The word ‘spit’ can relate to the expelling of saliva and how can you be proud of that if that is the perception.
“Potentially the name could be as simple as, Gold Coast Central Park, however I will consult with the wider community and any renaming would be done through a competition.”
Cr Tate’s proposal, which has been submitted to the State Government, includes:
● The Spit’s parks and reserves would be divided into 10 community precincts, similar to those in New York’s Central Park.
● Different community groups would become the caretakers of each potion, with those precincts having their own design and theme within overall guidelines.
● The Gold Coast City Council would supply all groups with recycled water.
● Precinct themes could include coastal dunes, gardens, grassed recreation areas, educational boardwalks, meeting places.
● Each area would have signage declaring which community group maintained it and how to get involved.
The proposal is one of many submitted to the State Government, but a decision is not expected until early next year.
Cr Tate said the Federation Walk, already maintained by the Friends of Federation Walk community group, would be the conduit which connected the proposed areas.
“When you look around worldfamous open spaces, what comes to mind is Central Park – their idea of different zones,” he said. “There is a Japanese area, a Chinese area and others which have been achieved by reaching out to the local community to help care for it.
“You’d have to say it is one of the most successful open spaces in the world and I look to it for inspiration in theming our Spit land.
“The main drawcard should be our indigenous culture and this is something which must be front and centre.”
A cruise ship terminal will not be considered as part of this plan, but could be incorporated later.
Friends of Federation Walk president Lyn Wright, who has been the guardian of the area for 20 years, says splitting The Spit into different precincts was unnecessary.
“You cannot replicate New York’s Central Park on The Spit – it is all mown areas and we are not anywhere near that size,” she said.
“All we want is to allow people to walk, ride and take their prams through here.
“The bones of what (Cr Tate) is saying is already here, but all we need is money, not thousands of groups down here doing it.”
The Mayor described The Spit as an “almost a blank canvas”.
He confirmed council had no immediate plans to change the area’s three-storey height limit, following the State Government terminating the $3 billion ASF integrated resort development and Sunland withdrawing its $600 million twin tower project.