It has long been agreed that a new bridge between Hope Island and Paradise Point will be required to keep track with population growth, and to provide additional work to the local construction area.  After past postponements, Mayor Ron Clark has requested that the Gold Coast City Council CEO “bring back a report as soon as possible outlining design, tendering and construction for the initial two lanes for the [proposed 4-lane] bridge, including detailed options for its finance.”

The report is due in early November, and is likely to look at commencing works in the near future, as part of the Council’s economic stimulus package.

Having finalised the purchase of a 1.15ha block of land between Christine Ave & Lake Orr, Council are preparing to build the Varsity Lakes Sportshouse.  The community facility will be made up of a two-storey building as well as a boatshed, viewing deck and other amenities.

Site preparation is slated for September with the building and much of the landscaping completed by March 2011.

In the wake of last years’ $90m economic stimulus package, Council’s Economic Development & Tourism Committee is considering further measures to support the local economy, in particular the construction industry.

17 projects, worth up to $314m are under consideration for fast-tracking – with availability of funding a major factor determining which will get the green light. The projects include the Evandale Cultural Precinct and Cavill Mall redevelopment as well as various road, bikeway and greenspace options.

While construction of the Gold Coast’s Rapid Transit project isn’t due to commence until November of this year, and completion remains as far away as 2014, commentators and industry insiders are already discussing the positive impact the project will have on real estate values along the Parkwood to Broadbeach route.

Many agree that prices are unlikely to jump overnight, but a gradual increase of 10% or more is expected, with even greater gains for developers amalgamating sites close to the new transport hubs that the project will create.  Already, a developers are sitting on a number of sites near the Gold Coast Convention Centre, and the project’s initial Broadbeach terminus, with hopes of large future capital gains.

A draft master plan has been submitted for a cultural precinct at Evandale.  The precinct would include a performance theatre, art gallery, drama theatre, discovery centre, and and events terrace similar in size to Brisbane’s King George Square.  The plan also includes approximately 1200 car parking spaces, including 800 underground.  A refined master plan is expected to be brought before Council in September.

Council have released their latest budget, continuing into the 2nd year of the Bold Future city plan.

Highlights include:

• Funding of $26.5 million to continue the delivery of Council’s 2009-11 $90 million economic stimulus package.
• $13.3 million to continue the four-year $111.6 million community infrastructure program.
• An allocation of $53.6 million as part of a total commitment of $120 million for the rapid transit system.
• A major program for road network improvements, including major roadworks of $35.3 million, road reseals of $17.5 million and bikeways of $4.3 million.
• A major program for parks and recreation including major open space development of $5.5 million, tree planting of $1.0 million, park asset renewal of $3.3 million and major sporting areas of $3.1 million.
• A major redevelopment of the Surfers Paradise foreshore, at a cost of $13.4 million, which will revitalise the heart of Surfers Paradise.
• $31.9 million capital investment into waste management services and facilities designed  to ensure long term sustainability. This includes: $8.6 million for remedial and closure works at Suntown Landfill, $2.5 million for recycling and drop-off centre at Molendinar, $2 million for new waste transfer station at Reedy Creek, and $1.5 million for upgrade of Helensvale WTS.
• $7.7 million in community support through grants, subsidies, donations, concessions and rebates.

For greater details, refer to the Gold Coast City Council website.

The Gold Coast City Council have received close to 4600 development applications over the past 12 months – including a 20% increase in the number of major Material Change of Use (MCU) code applications over the period.  Council claim that of these 95% were processed within legislative timeframes – as were 85% of MCU impact assessments.

Over past 12 months, 4450 applications were declined.

The Gold Coast’s Rapid Transport System is another step closer, with Transport Minister Anthony Albanese reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to the project.

This move has seen over $110m worth of roadworks contract go out to tender, and added further credibility to the project’s 2014 completion date.  Within it’s first decade of operation, the new light rail system is planned to generate around 6300 jobs (directly and indirectly) as well as cutting the Gold Coast’s greenhouse gas emissions by over 110,000 tonnes.

As part of its $90m, decade-long program, Council have purchased three new properties to set aside for parkland. The sites include a 1.1ha site in Robina, 12.6ha site in Ormeau and 21ha site in Upper Coomera.  The latter sites are slated for sporting fields and non-motorised watersports.

4 years into the program, nearly 45ha of parkland have already been purchased.

A 15-lot, 1.7 hectare site by Pacific Fair has had its proposed redevelopment plans recommended for approval.  The site, now housing light industrial, borders Tallebudgera Creek and currently known as the ‘Broadbeach South Regional Station Village’ is expected to house three mixed use towers, between 18 and 28 storeys.

Aside from the amenity of Pacific Fair, the site will also be very closely tied to a future station for the Gold Coast’s light rail system.  At this stage, the development has preliminary approval only, as a portion of the Broadbeach Local Area Plan is being replaced.  A detailed development application is still to follow.