FUTURE SHOCK: HOW COAST WILL CHANGE IN 2023
WHAT are the ten hottest issues for Gold Coast in 2023?
Talking to city leaders along with industry stakeholders and community group volunteers, there’s agreement about what’s on the list but views differ on outcomes. Here’s the list:
LIGHT RAIL STAGE FOUR
The business case for light rail stage four is to be completed later this year.
Cost estimates suggest $2.7 billion for the extension from Burleigh to the airport and Coolangatta. The reality is it will be more than $3 billion.
In stages one, two and three council funded 11 per cent of the project — the State and Commonwealth providing the rest.
The City is budgeting for a $250m to $300m spend. Mayor Tom Tate wants costs reduced, and his plan is to first build the bridges across Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks.
The business case will be the key to getting the green light from the Labor governments to back his plan with a funding commitment and enable the specialist workforce employed on Stage 3 to continue on Stage 4.
Meanwhile, the anti-tram protest continues to gain some momentum with Save Our Southern Gold Coast staging regular Saturday street protests on the Gold Coast Highway.
Those residents against light rail will look for the detail in the business case, to see the costing on other options like buses and heavy rail to the border.
BRUCE BISHOP CAR PARK
The future of the city’s biggest public asset, up for sale, will be decided on Monday.
This is arguably the biggest and best commercial site in heart of Surfers Paradise.
A tourism icon can be built before the 2032 Olympics — or council can spend ratepayer money fixing the facility to provide continued parking at what will be much higher rates.
Council officers were shocked by the recent collapse of negotiations with the preferred tenderer, a Sydneybased operator.
At a governance committee on Wednesday, councillors received a report with new data showing the car park was making a profit.
The expectation now is demand for spaces will exceed supply by 2031.
Area councillor Darren Taylor put up a motion which terminates the current tender process and ensures the car park remains. The vote was 5-3 in support.
At full council all councillors will listen and consider the options put up by officers which includes accepting the highest bidder of the remaining tenders.
A report by this newspaper shows an offer was on the table for $50 million.
The 18,137sq m site was marketed as the future location of a “world-class landmark development project. The council vote will end a two-decade long saga.
THE 2032 OLYMPICS
Top executive Cindy Hook has been appointed as chief executive of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Her plan is to put the River City on the global map.
Our city leaders are stunned that the Coast, in her first statement, did not rate a mention. The next Olympic organising committee meeting will be here in March. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and key ministers are expected to drive down.
Have these powerbrokers, in the absence of Coast representation, jumped too quickly on committing to venues in Brisbane?
After staging a successful 2018 Commonwealth Games, why is the hockey being played at Ballymore, the city’s top golf courses ignored for Royal Queensland’s greens in Brisbane?
How did the Coast miss out on the marathon given it stages a world class successful event?
These talks might open the door for more sports here. What must be secured is road upgrade funding to improve congested links around the planned athletes’ village at Robina.
A NEW FILM STUDIO
In July last year there were secret talks with an international consortium on securing a large block of acreage land in the city’s north to create “the Hollywood of the South Pacific”.
The United Kingdombased consortium had approached council about buying a 85ha site that neighbours the Yatala industrial estate for new film studios, the Bulletin reported.
Council bought the land, known as the Enkelmann Farm, for $12.8m in 2018, and the former cattle property located between the Coast and Brisbane remains open space surrounded by rural and residential properties.
Key players estimated the deal will bring $1bn a year and 5000 jobs into the city’s economy.
More will be known about this project in a few months. It requires government support. But on the back of Elvis and glowing reports from actors like Tom Hanks on the easy transport access to existing studios at Oxenford, this is the city’s next biggest project to watch.
TIP FEES
In November last year council signed off on one of its biggest private contracts, which it says promises to deliver almost $36m in savings in waste management.
This would help the council avoid up to $15.8m in State waste levy payments.
Veolia Environmental Services Australia Pty Ltd secured a seven-year contract worth $280m with an option to increase to 18 years based on performance.
The company would improve compacting at tip sites, preventing the expensive buy-up of sites for landfill.
Council will roll out green bins this year.
City Hall is to launch an education campaign to get more residents recycling their waste.
Tip fees are unlikely to occur in the lead-up to an election year. But if the costs are not reduced, if residents fail to educate themselves on recycling, council will face no choice.
DISASTER ALERT
In December last year council released its new flood mapping. The media was given a thorough briefing – no doubt in a bid to reduce shockwaves for property owners.
More than 90,000 properties have been reclassified as being at flood risk.
This bumps the total number up to 173,000 properties, or around 62 per cent of the city.
The maps using new flood modelling technology, which take a “long-term” view”, are based on “what is considered to be the upper limit of a flooding event in the future”.
The City is spending $22m to build a new disaster and emergency centre to rival state-of-the-art regional operations coping with cyclones in the state’s north. This will replace the ageing emergency management centre at Southport’s Owen Park.
There is a bigger story emerging here. This is about “climate adaptability” and how the city faces new and bigger natural disaster threats. More on this soon.
HOTA AND CONVENTION CENTRE EXPANSION
The cultural precinct is under review. The Bulletin has in several reports detailed HOTA’S financial challenges, much of it created by Covid.
Plans emerged last year showing a 1600-1800-seat theatre, a 600-800-seat boutique theatre, integrated carparking and new food and beverage areas.
A final decision must be made on whether to demolish and rebuild as opposed to a refurbishment of the 36-yearold existing central building.
The project could commence as early as this year, with construction completed in approximately 2027-28.
To replace the existing building will require $295m. At least $29m would be needed for a renovation.
Mayor Tom Tate had suggested building a $200m convention centre on the site, after extensions to the existing building at Broadbeach stalled.
The State Government has responded by saying it would consider any proposal pitched by council.
Masterplan drawings revealed in the last week show a film-digital school on the car park outside the existing theatre and potential for an arts hotel on the grass fronting Bundall Road.
It’s like a mystery play, isn’t it? The only certainty is the older buildings will stay.
CITY PLAN CHANGES, AFFORDABILITY AND THE NORTH
This is technical, but about affordability – please read on.
The council’s City Plan changes are the key to opening up lower cost housing. Much of that will occur in the fast growing north.
Planning Minister Steven Miles in October last year confirmed some amendments had been ticked off on. This unlocked social housing for hundreds of cheaper properties at Upper Coomera.
Mr Miles did not give a timeline for resolving other changes sought by the council but planners continue to work towards solutions on the reforms.
This involves “medium density residential” and “high density residential” zones along what is called the “light rail urban renewal area overlay”.
It’s about how close to the tram route allows for unlimited high rises and more site coverage.
Council giving voice to residents asked for restrictions to the size of ugly developments.
But the State wants the Coast to house much of southeast Queensland’s population growth. Council wants guarantees about funding infrastructure if greenfield sites are to be developed.
The focus will be on Yatala, expanding the industrial estate to provide jobs. The other area is east across the M1 at Pimpama, where cane fields could be developed into residential estates.
The key is the route to the second stage of the Coomera Connector — mapping is yet to surface on where the second M1 will go.
REVIEW OF TOURISM, EDUCATION AND CULTURAL GROUPS
Councillors last year ticked off on a Funded Entities Review. This impacts ratepayer dollars.
These major marketing arms cost about $54m annually. City CEO Tim Baker is behind the push to get greater efficiencies. This is his big project.
Council has engaged Deloitte and a report is expected to be presented in the first quarter of this year which will outline findings and recommendations.
The reviews being undertaken cover a top tier which includes a prime focus on Major Events, HOTA, Placemakers Gold Coast, Study Gold Coast and Destination Gold Coast.
The second tier includes the Swell Sculpture Festival, Gold Coast Show and Gold Coast Eisteddfod.
A lot of people are employed here, some nervous about their futures.
Concertgoers were asked about Blues On Broadbeach, Cooly Rocks On, Springtime and the Groundwater Music Festival.
Expect to see a much tighter organisational structure, a new top executive in place and single branding to promote the city.
Councillors know “affordability” is a big concern out there.
POLITICAL CHANGES IN LEAD-UP TO THREE POLLS
Local government elections will be held in March 2023, followed by the State in October then a federal poll in 2024.
It’s possible some high profile pollies will build their profile by running in all three polls.
It’s guaranteed some low profile candidates with no chance surface at each election.
A handful of ageing State MPS must decide soon whether to retire.
Some young gun LNP-aligned city councillors could replace them giving leader David Crisafulli a fresh team.
Into this mix add the speculation about Mayor Tom Tate.
In April last year, at 63, he said he believed he had the energy and passion for another term, which would take him through until 2028. He was first elected in 2012.
Retirement would almost certainly see Deputy Mayor Donna Gates and planning chair Cameron Caldwell fight for his job. Add Surfers Paradise MP John-paul Langbroek.
The big question? If Cr Tate steps down, who is the business candidate to step up?