Stunning boardwalks on pylons driven into dunes will create iconic tourism pathway
Almost all the missing parts of the Gold Coast Oceanway can be completed before the 2032 Olympics by building stunning headland boardwalks under a new council plan. SEE THE PICTURES
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Almost all the missing parts of the Gold Coast Oceanway can be completed before the 2032 Olympics by building stunning headland boardwalks, new research has revealed.
Wooden decks on pylons driven into the dunes will stretch in front of the most challenging beach eroded locations, including Main Beach and Palm Beach, by 2030.
Preliminary costings were discussed in a closed session of a council transport committee meeting on Tuesday. Councillors later were unanimous in backing the plan.
“The Oceanway Completion Strategy looks to fully complete the Oceanway in the next ten years. If everything goes to plan, we will have the majority of Oceanway delivered in time before the 2032 Olympics,” a senior City officer told them.
The key roadblocks facing the project include beaches eroded by Tropical Cyclone Alfred and opposition from some residents along Millionaire’s Row at Hedges Ave.
Another potential stumbling block will be the green connection bridges across Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creek creeks.
Those connections have been ticked off as part of the Light Rail Stage Four to the border — but that is now under review by the Crisafulli Government.
The 36km Oceanway planned from The Spit to Coolangatta is two thirds complete with 12 sections covering 11.75 km remaining.
“It’s about creating an iconic uninterrupted coastal walking and cycling pathway that can take people all the way from Paradise Point, down along the Broadwater along the coastline all the way from the Southport Seaway to the Coolangatta border,” the senior officer said.
The push for the Oceanway, which gained speed after Mayor Tom Tate recently met with engineering experts at Mermaid Beach, is because it will encourage people to walk or cycle rather than use their cars, improve their fitness and “deliver a tourism icon”.
“The Surfers Paradise South section has almost 10,000 users per day. It’s estimated between 50,000 to 60,000 people a day utilise the Oceanway every day,” the officer said.
The popularity of the beach path was driving a strategy to have all sections completed.
But technical and engineering studies conducted by the City show finishing the Oceanway “is not a simple task”.
“The majority of remaining sections where the Oceanway will go are in considerably more restrained locations. And the challenges are mainly due to the risk with coastal erosion,” the officer said.
At least 22 per cent of the existing Oceanway is rated as vulnerable with 4.7km considered “sacrificial”.
The Surfers Paradise to Broadbeach section is rated a “medium risk” while the Main Beach Sheraton section south through to Hollindale Park, where erosion from Cyclone Alfred has closed beaches, remains “high risk”.
These coastal erosion hazard risks present challenges for the “traditional slab on ground”.
“Essentially, if you build a footpath on the ground that is not protected by a seawall, it is and should be considered a sacrificial asset,” the officer said.
The latest Surfers South section, from Laycock Street to Markwell Ave, was sacrificial and can be lost to coastal erosion.
The City needed to have a “back-up plan” to build a non-sacrificial asset as its replacement.
But extending the boulder A-line forward in front of an Oceanway was not the solution, and would only leave the rocks exposed.
“The solution we are proposing in locations is a non-sacrificial piled boardwalk structure. The pylons are buried in dunes and boardwalk is at ground level. A commissioned coastal engineer company confirmed a range of options are possible,” the officer said.
Coast-based councillors Gail O’Neill and Nick Marshall spoke in support, backing more planning so full costings can be determined before recommending a preferred pathway option.
The meeting went into closed session after former Deputy Mayor Donna Gates asked about costings regarding Hedges Ave, where a study is being conducted on removing power poles and improving pavements.
“I have a difficulty putting my hand up (to vote) when we have no idea what the cost is,” she said.
Mr Marshall, while supportive, said he wanted to make sure the City worked closely with residents on preferred options.
“I understand there will be people not as excited about it as others. We want to do everything correctly and take everyone on that journey,” he said.
Ms O’Neill agreed, saying the feedback to early consultation on section upgrades in the south had been very positive.
“I hope when we get into budget that everything goes swimmingly,” she said.
The new Surfers South section of the Oceanway is attracting 9700 users on a weekday with the peak periods from 7am through to 11am.
Transport committee chair Darren Taylor told councillors: “Surfers South has been absolutely amazing, the people using it. The success has been extraordinary.”
Mayor Tom Tate said he was confident the project would be completed by the 2032 Games, arguing there were few additional approvals needed.
He said the missing sections would be funded on a 50/50 split with the state government.
“We will prioritise the areas in high traffic and the most desirable ones first,” he said.
“You will see there will be different types of design for the oceanway, so for different terrains there will be different engineering solutions and that will give value for money.
“There is no need to build the concrete structures of Surfers Paradise so there will be some timber walkways too, but let me assure you that people with disability or motilities issues, whatever the design maybe, will be part of it and they’ll be able to use it.”
Mr Tate said that, while there were opponents to completing the Oceanway, he favoured a solution which would benefit all the community.
“It’s about the sacrifice of the few for the many – I’m paraphrasing Spock here and I think that’s what we are going to do.
“A few people will say ‘we don’t want it’ but tens of thousands of people do and those few people do not own the beach.
“The beach belongs to everyone and I want to open it up to everyone.”
OCEANWAY MISSING PARTS
City officers believe only two of the 12 missing sections cannot be completed by 2032. Those are Palm Beach Central and the North Burleigh Headland. Two critical connections depend heavily on the State Government – the creek crossings at Currumbin and Tallebudgera.
Federation Walk, connects Seaway to Philip Park
In detailed design, part of The Spit Masterplan, has been fully funded. Due to finish 2027.
Hollindale Park
A 300m section failed due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred, parts lost in the subsequent swell. Funding sought for 2025-26 for a replacement wall, on different alignment, behind seawall.
Main Beach
Exposed to considerable coastal hazard risk. Traditional slab will not work, needs boardwalk. Planning being done now on protecting beaches, construction not until 2031.
Mermaid Beach
North section is 800m from Pratten Park to Ocean Street. An 8-12m section is available from properties to the A-line, enough for 5m path with the build west of it in 2029. No delays. Includes upgrades at Hedges and Albatross avenues.
The central and south sections are more complicated, the seawall is on the property boundary, will require a boardwalk. Construction dates set in 2031.
North Burleigh Headland
Boardwalk proposed around the headland, with opportunity for seating and shaded platform on safer route. Not seeking funding yet. Linked to Stage Three light rail, with planning scheduled in 2032 and the build three years later.
Tallebudgera Creek
The green bridge is to be delivered by Transport and Main Roads, but depends on progress with Light Rail Stage Four. No date determined.
Palm Beach
Three separate sections, all unique challenges, with the north needing a boardwalk through the dunes from Seventeenth Ave to access Jefferson Lane, to be built by 2031. The south section can be built in 2029.
The central section through to Third Avenue is “highly complex” with A-line seawall within property boundaries and extending up to 15m inland. It “privatises the dune” and leaves a small foreshore. City will need to explore artificial reef or groyne to build up sand and beach profile, stretching time lines to 2035 for a boardwalk.
Currumbin Creek
Crossing requires a green bridge, again part of light rail Stage Four, being progressed by State Transport Department, so no date determined.
On the creek’s southern side, a 900m boardwalk will increase road safety on winding narrow roads. Construction set for 2029.
More Coverage
Originally published as Stunning boardwalks on pylons driven into dunes will create iconic tourism pathway
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