Maroochydore CBD can take lessons from Expo 88 in Brisbane’s South Bank
The vibe in South Bank is pumping as the legacy infrastructure comes into its own for residents and visitors — so can something similar take shape in the Maroochydore CBD?
Opinion
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South Bank in Brisbane was absolutely pumping on Saturday night.
Although my daughter and I felt a little like country mice, we became enamoured with the vibe of Brisbane’s suburb by the river as people thronged to the restaurants, night markets and took an evening dip at the legendary fake beach.
It was her first memorable visit to the former Expo 88 site.
My first visit was a primary school camp to Brisbane, from Rockhampton, in the early 1990s.
Back then, there was a butterfly house, a sweet shop selling an incredible array of jelly beans, a boat ride in a small canal and the fake beach.
It seemed quieter then, and purely for the city’s visitors.
Now it feels as if it has come into its own, with the Brisbane Eye, bridges connecting to the new casino and city centre, and a bustling entertainment, arts and culture precinct.
This is the thing about legacy infrastructure. Eventually, it pays off.
The site was transformed in the expo with international pavilions, restaurants, a theme park, the Plough Inn, which still remains and much more.
These days the place seemingly serves Brisbane residents and visitors.
On the Sunshine Coast, we are having our own discussions about the Olympics and the infrastructure that will help shape visitors’ experience and our future community.
The Walker Corporation stadium proposal for the Maroochydore CBD has garnered a mostly positive reaction from business leaders.
It would include the construction of a 7000-seat entertainment area, five-star hotel and athletes’ village.
A cloud remains over how visitors would get to the stadium as the discussion around rail into Maroochydore rages and the cost to deliver the project blows out.
This is, of course, despite election assurances from LNP Member for Kawana and deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie that the state government would deliver rail to Maroochydore.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli has thrown her weight behind getting rail to the Maroochydore CBD.
The time for talk, though, is nearing an end as the Olympics loom.
The bottom line is Queensland has promised the world we would host the Games. The LNP promised it would deliver rail to the Maroochydore CBD.
As the Sunshine Coast population continues to grow, the legacy infrastructure the Olympics provide will eventually become an essential part of our community, for residents and visitors.
It may take time but, just like South Bank, it will become something to be proud of and something of value so let’s get it done, and get it done by 2032.
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