Gold Coast City Council confirms Palm Beach Aquatic Centre opening will be delayed
Work on a highly anticipated $87-million-dollar aquatic centre on the southern Gold Coast has been delayed. See why
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Work on a highly anticipated $87-million-dollar aquatic centre on the southern Gold Coast has been delayed.
Gold Coast City Council is preparing for a spring opening of the Palm Beach Aquatic and Community Centre after the original date was to be mid-year.
City CEO Tim Baker apologised for the delays in a statement released on Wednesday.
“The Palm Beach Aquatic and Community Centre is now 76 per cent complete with the current focus on the internal fit-out and upgrades to widen Thrower Drive,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we have experienced a further delay and the centre is now expected to reopen in Spring 2024.
“The delay is due to a subcontractor unable to fulfil their requirements, but a new subcontractor has been appointed to complete the required works.
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the delay but it is vital we deliver an exceptional facility, for our growing population on the southern Gold Coast.”
Division 13 candidate Josh Martin, who is waiting to be announced as the councillor to replace Daphne McDonald, is seeking an update.
“I am aware that the reopening will now be delayed and it’s disappointing news for many local residents who have been eager to get back into the pool,” he said.
“If elected, I will be seeking a briefing from the CEO without delay to understand what has occurred and ensure we can reopen the pool as soon as possible.”
The redevelopment will feature a heated indoor pool, a 25m outdoor pool, a fitness centre, a water play park, multipurpose spaces, a cafe, creche and basement carparking.
There will be 139 carparks undercover and 18 external.
The Bulletin in a report in February last year revealed a cost blowout which saw the original quote of $54m increase to more than $87m.
The delays come as southern Gold Coast residents shared their doubts surrounding the redevelopment’s opening in mid-2024 on social media.
“It was supposed to be April. No chance of that,” Sharon Coyle said.
Another resident Denise Reed said: “They can build high rises in record time but not a public pool.”
A GCCC spokesperson said delays last year had been caused by “challenges with the supply chain and increased costs and availability of materials impacting on the construction costs and timelines”.
“Adverse weather also contributed to delays,” they said.
Division 13 council candidate Nikki Archer said, while there was some community angst around the delayed project, “the response has been extremely positive”.
“Like many large-scale projects, there were some setbacks causing delay in completion,” she said.
“Understandably there may be a level of frustration — the project’s opening has seen some delay — but the vast majority (of locals) are very excited to have these world-class facilities in their neighbourhood.”
A GCCC spokesperson said the aquatic centre redevelopment was necessary due to the “growth in demand on the southern Gold Coast”.
CURRUMBIN CREEK ROAD INTERSECTION UPGRADES
WHERE AND WHEN: Currumbin Creek Rd, 2024 to 2025
HOW MUCH: $492,000
Work has begun on the second stage of this Currumbin Valley project, which will create more parking for those wanting to go to the suburb’s famous rock pools.
There will be a new roundabout for the intersection of Reynolds and Currumbin Creek roads, which council says will increase safety, improve traffic flow and have better street lighting.
Plans show more parking along Denning Rd for those visiting Currumbin Valley Primary School and nearby Currumbin Rock Pools.
However, GCCC has warned of temporary traffic delays, noise and reduced parking until the project’s completion in 2025.
“We will do our best to minimise disruptions and thank you in advance for your patience,” a GCCC spokesperson said.
CURRUMBIN NORTH SHARED PATH
WHERE AND WHEN: Durigan Street, Currumbin. In consultation phase.
In August, Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) entered the initial community consultation phase for the Currumbin North shared path upgrade.
The project would include a widened path along Durigan St between Currumbin Beach car park at The Alley and the Gold Coast Highway.
Council said the narrow road along Durigan St meant the existing path was not wide enough for the high number of people using it.
The project would include a 4-5m boardwalk between the Farmer Family Park, the Currumbin car park and the Gold Coast Highway.
A GCCC spokesperson said there was currently no on-road bicycle lane, a limited number of crossings and that the path did not meet all Disability Discrimination Act 1992 standards.
Southern Gold Coast resident Lisa Bragg said the project was a “massive yes” from her.
“I lived on Hooper Drive for years and walked that path every day,” she said.
“With a pram or kids on the bike it’s so narrow you always have to stop.
“It’s a massive project but so needed.”
A GCCC spokesperson said they were currently reviewing the findings to “help guide the delivery of this project in the future.”
No funding commitments have been made and no timelines have been confirmed.
CURRUMBIN SEAWALL RENEWAL AND OCEANWAY UPGRADE
WHERE AND WHEN: Pacific Parade, Currumbin. April to November 2024
HOW MUCH: $6.9 million
A major southern Gold Coast project is about to break ground, closing a popular pathway for up to seven months.
Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) announced it would be starting construction on the Currumbin Seawall Renewal and Oceanway project in April.
Under the upgrade, the existing path that runs from Pacific Parade between the Currumbin Vikings Surf Life Saving Club car park and Tomewin Street, Currumbin will be widened from 2.5m to 4m.
It will become a vital part of the Oceanway, designed to connect and enhance 36km of paths along the coastline.
A GCCC spokesperson said they would also be renewing the seawall to A-line standard.
Residents face a single-lane road closure, temporary beach and footpath closure, reduced parking and construction noise while work is in progress.
“We will monitor (the noise) closely and do our best to minimise it where possible,” a GCCC spokesperson said.
The footpath around the Vikings Surf Life Saving Club car park and part of Pacific Parade will be temporarily closed to “accommodate the transport of rocks and machinery”.
However, residents will have access to new beach stairs, showers and carparking.
It comes as planning was set to begin on another section of the Currumbin Oceanway which will include a pedestrian bridge across Currumbin Creek.
Designs obtained by the Bulletin show the bridge, on the eastern side of the Gold Coast Highway, will curve left southbound around the creek linking up to the Oceanway.
Other transport plans released last year showed the proposed light rail Stage 4 crossing would be on the western side of the bridge.
CURRUMBIN – TEEMANGUM STREET BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
WHERE AND WHEN: Flat Rock Creek on Teemangum St, Currumbin. November 2022 to March 2024.
HOW MUCH: $10.1 million
A southern Gold Coast bridge – dubbed “an absolute embarrassment” by residents after its drawn-out construction – has officially opened.
The $10.1 million project was the subject of controversy, with work meant to finish in August but hampered by “construction shortages”.
The bridge went under construction in December 2022 to “improve road safety, increase travel connectivity, maintain on-street parking, reduce flood-risk and better manage the water flow from creek to ocean”.
Thanks to delays, the eventual construction was estimated to cost $500,000 a metre.
A Gold Coast City Council spokesperson confirmed the construction of the bridge was finished, however, they would still be working on revegetating the area for up to two months.
“Construction delays were experienced due to labour and skilled subcontractor shortages and material supply,” they said.
Gold Coast resident Pretzel Pete shared his disappointment about the project on Facebook.
“An absolute embarrassment. A project which should have taken a month at absolute most is perilously close to taking a year.”
CURRUMBIN ECO-PARKLAND
WHERE: Currumbin Valley
HOW MUCH: $31 million
The State Government has backed the decision to continue the transformation of a 148ha site on the southern Gold Coast.
In 2021 they controversially acquired the site known as Martha’s Farm at Piggabeen Rd, Currumbin Waters and released plans for a $14 million project.
The original plans showed it would be home to sporting and recreational elements, protections for koala habitats, nature-based recreational trails and opportunities for rehabilitation.
On March 9, State Development Minister Grace Grace defended the decision to resume the project, despite some Gold Coast residents calling for it to be used for residential purposes.
The announcement was paired with an activation plan to make the area one of the Australia’s largest eco-parklands
The $31 million plans would protect native animals and bushland, feature hiking trails, picnic areas and the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s new koala facility.
Friends of Currumbin President Peter Kershaw said they were “pleased” about the next phase of the Currumbin Eco-Parkland.
“It is with great assurance that we acknowledge the protective measures embedded in this activation plan, ensuring the conservation of 46ha of endangered blackbutt forest for the benefit of future generations,” he said.
“We look forward to our continued collaboration with the Queensland Government and community stakeholders as we move ahead with the advancement of this project.”
PACIFIC MOTORWAY M1 VARSITY LAKES TO TUGUN UPGRADE
WHERE AND WHEN: Varsity Lakes to Tugun, to open progressively from 2024
HOW MUCH: $1.5 billion
Southern Gold Coast residents have endured nearly four years of major traffic delays courtesy of M1 roadworks, but authorities say a critical section is due to finish this year.
TMR began work on the M1 Varsity Lakes to Tugun upgrade in 2020.
The project is widening a 10km stretch to a minimum of three lanes in both directions.
The upgrades consist of three stages: Package A: Varsity Lakes (exit 85) to Burleigh (exit 87), Package B: Burleigh (Exit 97) to Palm Beach (Nineteenth Ave) and Package C: Palm Beach (Nineteenth Ave) to Tugun (Exit 95).
In November it was revealed the project was hit with a major cost blowout and the state government was forced to commit half a billion dollars to keep the upgrade on track.
At the time then Transport Minister Mark Bailey responded to comments made by residents that said the works were taking too long to complete.
“The Varsity Lakes to Tugun (VL2T) upgrade has navigated a number of unprecedented issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent supply chain delays and nationwide cost escalations,” Mr Bailey said.
TMR said works on Packages B and C were expected to be finished in 2024.
The GCCC are continuing to work on the Eddie Kornhauser Reserve environmental offset which will ensure tree are planted to offset the impacts of tree removal from the M1 upgrade.
The project will include up to 14,000 koala habitat trees in the Eddie Kornhauser Reserve in Elanora.
Council urge anyone who sees a koala – whether it is healthy, sick, injured or dead to report the sighting.
“Your report will provide us with valuable information about koala distribution and habitat,” a GCCC statement said.
“It also helps our conservation planning at this site and right across the Gold Coast.”
GOLD COAST LIGHT RAIL STAGE FOUR
WHERE AND WHEN: 13km extension from Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta via the Gold Coast Airport. Yet to be approved.
HOW MUCH: $1.2 billion (business case costing $10.6 million).
Arguably the most controversial topic on the southern Gold Coast, Light Rail Stage 4 would take the tram from Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta.
In November, Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) announced the preliminary study into the project was completed and was sent to the state Department of Transport and Main Roads for review.
Division 13 council candidate Nikki Archer said she had received “many” concerns about the impacts of Stage 4 on the southern Gold Coast.
“Residents are concerned with loss of parking, permanent closure of streets to/from the Gold Coast Highway, rat-running in backstreets, and much more,” she said.
“More than 300 property owners on the Gold Coast Highway in the proposed Stage 4 route have received notices of potential partial or full property resumption, which raises the point: just how much is the Light Rail project really costing us and what are the true economic, environmental and social impacts to Division 13.”
In September last year, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the Light Rail project was “always intended” to connect the heavy rail at Helensvale to Coolangatta, via the Gold Coast International Airport.
“To not complete the fourth stage before the 2032 Olympic Games would be a betrayal of the Gold Coast and in direct contrast to Infrastructure Australia’s elevation of the project to priority status,” he said.
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