BUILT FOR BOOM
Coast primed for development wave as population soars
CONSTRUCTION of the multi-billion-dollar Coomera connector and fast-rail extension will drive a massive wave of development through the Gold Coast’s north and western suburbs over the next decade.
Data to be presented by leading demographer Bernard Salt at today’s Bulletin Future Gold Coast Forum shows the Coast is growing 1.5 times faster than the rest of Australia, with some of our biggest suburbs set to grow dramatically within 11 years.
THE transformation of The Spit is about to begin with improvement work on public facilities and parking before big “development opportunities” are offered in the next year.
State Development Minister Cameron Dick said the government had committed $60 million to start job creation projects, unlocking a further $50 million investment from Village Roadshow which is beginning work on its New Atlantis thrill ride precinct and park near Sea World.
Plus the Gold Coast City Council has locked in a $35 million contribution.
Mr Dick said projects identified in the master plan – aiming to be the city’s version of New York’s famed Central Park – had potential long term to create an estimated 1800 jobs and 800 extra short-stay rooms.
The initial focus was on the top of The Spit with proposed improvements to the Seaway Promenade, The Moondarewa Spit, Doug Jennings Park and car parking.
A proposal to extend the network of pathways to ease access for pedestrians and cyclists to move within the precinct and connect with Seaworld
Dve was also being advanced, he said.
Mr Dick said among the next steps were setting up a local partnering agreement to kick off implementation works on The Spit that would occur in the next 12 months.
The Queensland Government would also finalise staging and development opportunities of State-owned commercial development sites in the Village Centre precinct.
“The future development of these sites will spark further investment and job opportunities on the Spit,” he said.
“Interest has already been expressed in the commercial site opportunities from a range of operators. The State is gearing up to release the first of these development opportunities in the near future.”
Gold Coast Waterways Authority, while working with government and council on the Master Plan, will continue its own program of improvements worth $10.5 million.
Waterways CEO Hal Morris said: “We’re continuing to work to improve The Spit’s appeal to locals and visitors and really promote it as a destination.”
Waterways had invested $5.7 million in upgrading Doug Jennings Park, turning it into a popular day trip destination, he said.
Improvements included shaded areas, a shared walking and cycling path plus emergency access stairs to the Seaway.
Residents had embraced the changes, using the park for a range of activities from small family gatherings to major sponsored events.
Mr Morris estimated $3.35 million would be spent upgrading the sand bypass system jetty on the northern end which would help with maintenance of the jet pumps.
A further $1.1 million would ugrade the system’s high voltage electrical switching gear on top of $350,000 spent last year on a trial solar array which is generating enough power to meet the daytime needs of the sand bypass system, he said.
Mr Morris said the other key area of focus was issuing permits for events in and around Doug Jennings Park.
“Over the last 12 months we’ve issued permits for events which have attracted thousands of people including the Magic Millions Polo, Polo by the Sea, weddings and various film and television shoots,” he said.
Upcoming events planned for the area include the Queensland Surfing stand-up paddle board competition in November, next year’s Magic Millions polo and a community clean-up day this month.