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It is an irrefutable reality that the Gold Coast is a rapidly growing city, increasing annually by 3.5 per cent1 – twice the Queensland average.
Presently, infrastructure to support the Gold Coast’s existing transport requirements is inadequate, and is straining to keep up with current development levels. As a result of the disproportionate development/infrastructure delivery relationship, a large proportion of travellers are forced into private vehicles to meet their daily transit needs. The result is increased congestion across the city and particularly in the central Surfers Paradise area that leads to time delays in moving from place to place.
It is conceivable that the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre Complex could play a substantial role in delivering an efficient, easy-to-use civic transport system – with the City Council playing a lead role.
While these proposed redevelopment options are not attempting to radically improve current transport problems or influence modal choices, it is the Property Council of Australia’s view that any future reconsiderations or rendering of this piece of infrastructure must be considered as part of a whole-of-city transport plan.
For the reasons stated within this submission, the Property Council recommends to Gold Coast City Council the adoption of Redevelopment Option 4A.
Many issues were considered, including (but not limited to) future population growth, the public benefits of maintaining open space, the influence of citywide transit problems, and the availability of car parking facilities for the congested central Surfers Paradise precinct.
The proposed redevelopment of the Transit Centre Complex site provides an opportunity for the Gold Coast City Council to retain a valuable piece of existing transport infrastructure. It will require little on-going maintenance following the proposed refurbishment as indicated in Option 4A. The potential for the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre and it’s adjoining site to provide additional services to the community as a public transport interchange and retail / entertainment precinct are, in the Property Council’s view, exceptional.
