Boasting grassed event lawns, a stage to screen outdoor films, modern public art, sprawling fig tree-lined boulevards and a 100m grand pier, the $42.5m first stage of the Southport Broadwater Parkland redevelopment has been welcomed very positively since opening on the weekend.

A battle looms however, with Southport councillor Dawn Critchlow calling for the addition of restaurants and shops in the new parklands – similar to Brisabane’s Southbank Parklands.

Southport MP and Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor has argued against the idea, claiming there is enough commerical space nearby without bringing any on to crown land and “cluttering” the park.

Following the announcement that the Federal Government had set aside $365 million in the recent budget to assist with the construction of the Gold Coast’s light rail project, Councillors are hopeful that the State Government is close to deciding upon a private partner to build the project.

With the project anticpated to create around 6000 jobs, Council are keen to get construction underway.The Light Rail Project also complements other economic stimulus measures already underway, including the Surfers Paradise Foreshore upgrade and Southport Parklands Redevelopment.ikoni

Council’s Economic Development and Tourism Committee has moved to increase the existing $50m stimulus package by $47.5m.

The initial package included $25m for redevelopment of the Surfers Paradise foreshore, as well as over $12m for roadworks and $4.5m for bikeway construction.  The additional $47.5 is slated for the ongoing development of the Southport Broadwater Parklands.

The package, designed to stimulate economic activity and provide jobs, is made up of a number of projects all of which are ready to proceed, subject to budget approval.

After around two years of design work and consultation, Gold Coast City Council have released plans  for Stage 1 of the Southport Broadwater Parklands Redevelopment.  You can view the plan in PDF format by clicking here.

The $32 million first stage encompasses the middle third, and what is expected to be the most heavily used area of the Parkland which extends from opposite Australia Fair Shopping Centre north to Railway Street.  The construction process for this stage is expected to last for the next twelve months.

Overall, within this redevelopment, Council will be incorporating:

1. a new swimming enclosure
2. children’s play spaces
3. a ’boutique’ skate facility
4. a network of pathways and promenades
5. a range of boating facilities including a new Pier
6. open fields and plazas
7. hard stand and car parks that are designed to function as a marshalling zone for triathlon and marathon events
8. a large green terrace which forms a natural amphitheatre for outdoor performances

It is also expected that there will be the addition of some extra commercial space, in a similar fashion to Brisbane’s Southbank Parklands.  In addition to the recreational amenity, Council also plan on using the new parkland for major sporting events including the Gold Coast Marathon, Pan Pacific Games and World Championship Triathlon.
Timeframes for stages two and three are not finalised as yet, but details will be posted as they become available.

With the Parkland Redevelopment, Council are hoping to reconnect the Parklands to the city, and whilst construction noise and traffic may be a slight inconvenience during the redevelopment process, the practical and aesthetic improvements to the area will likely have a positive effect on property values in the vicinity.