Mermaid retail revival

Shops redeveloped on proposed tram extension

AN ageing shopping centre will be redeveloped in anticipation of the light rail being extended south of Broadbeach.

Plans have been filed to replace an existing centre at Mermaid Beach with a large, three-scale complex as part of a wave of new projects being built along the proposed route of the Broadbeach-to-Burleigh Heads tram link.

A 1500sq m supermarket will anchor the new shopping centre on the corner of Gold Coast Hwy and Markeri St, put forward by developer BJM Markeri.

It will sit just metres away from the proposed Mermaid Beach South tram station and existing shops will be redeveloped to create the food, dining and retail zone.

Gold Coast Light Rail Business Advisory Group chairman Steve Harrison said developers were eyeing off locations along the highway and set the stage for future light rail links.

“This is going to be relatively common along future lines of the light rail,” he said.

“Urban renewal occurs throughout the city and developers are taking advantage of this and coming up with proposals to suit it. This is something which will play out in coming years across all future extensions as light rail brings forward investment.”

According to documents filed with the council, the Mermaid Beach shopping centre will have 1163sq m of retail space in addition to the supermarket.

There will be commercial space built on its southern end which will provide space for offices and healthcare.

There has long been support to revamp the area.

In 2009, the council proposed a street-scaping project but it never progressed after opposition from local businesses.

Council planning boss Cr Cameron Caldwell said urban renewal was needed along the highway.

“Council has encouraged and facilitated renewal along the Gold Coast Hwy and we welcome projects which will clean up a beautiful area of the city where some buildings have deteriorated,” he said.

“Renewal along the light rail corridor does not have to be in high-rise form.”

The future of the light rail’s third stage remains in doubt after a funding dispute between the state and federal governments.

The $709 million, 6.6km extension will include eight stations along the highway.