Support for tunnel to link future Gold Coast Arena with Broadwater Parklands

Council is considering radical transport options that would utterly transform the Southport CBD as part of the Gold Coast Arena project. Here’s what they have been discussing.

A tunnel or realignment of the Gold Coast Highway are among radical options being considered by council to transform Southport as part of the Gold Coast Arena project.

Councillor Brooke Patterson said putting the highway underground would see the city’s CBD “seamlessly” connected with the Broadwater Parklands.

“What I’m most excited about out of council’s resolution on the Gold Coast Arena is the impetus it places on transforming the public realm of the Southport CBD, including future plans for the Gold Coast Highway to go underground — allowing for open public space to seamlessly connect the CBD to the Broadwater,” Ms Patterson said.

“With any strategic buildings, great city designs consider the space around them – close to home, think of the South Bank and casino precincts of Brisbane.

Gold Coast City Council report showing early plans for the Gold Coast Arena at Carey Park at Southport.

“With the progressing of the Gold Coast Arena, it turns the once distant and wishful idea of connecting the Broadwater through to the CBD with seamless open green space, into a real and viable possibility.

“The Gold Coast Highway going underground must be considered for the long term vision for the area.”

Costs for building tunnels range from $40 million to $100 million. The Clem Jones tunnel in Brisbane was about $63.5m per kilometre.

City sources say other options – which could be cheaper – include moving the stadium east out of Carey Park and realigning the Gold Coast Highway west, closer to Australia Fair shops.

Other early designs show a pedestrian overhead bridge linking the Arena to the Parklands.

Councillor Brooke Patterson supports exploring a tunnel option for Southport as part of the Arena project. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Mayor Tom Tate, who is seeking a public private deal on the Arena to minimise costs to ratepayers, said he was open to the proposals but was concerned about the potential expense involved.

“Whilst a tunnel or realignment of the Highway would provide more public space and flexibility it will ultimately come down to cost,” Mr Tate said.

“When we get to market, we will be interested in innovative proposals to deliver the right outcome for the city and Southport, so I look forward to seeing what proponents put forward.

“If major roadworks are proposed involving significant costs to government or council, it may jeopardise the viability of the project.”

The Mayor said Carey Park precinct was well located to the light rail and bus services, ensuring it would link all parts of the city not on the tram route.

One of the reasons for choosing this site had been the “public transport connectivity”.

An image of the new Gold Coast Arena released as part of the City’s consultation report.

A council survey on Carey Park being the site for the Arena found 61 per cent of residents in favour. Support among Southport residents was 52 per cent. In the greater Southport area, the support was 58 per cent.

Ms Patterson has faced strong lobbying from the Save Carey Park group, who oppose the Arena plans. Those residents want the green space to remain and stadium plan dumped.

“When I gave my support in Council to first consider the Arena in Southport, I made it with one proviso to my fellow councillors — ‘as long as it is beautiful’. By rethinking our greatest asset – the Broadwater connection to the CBD, we can build a highly walkable, engaging CBD,” Ms Patterson said.

“The Arena provides the impetus for open green space connecting the Broadwater to the CBD to be a future reality.”

Only three councillors did not give their support to council proceeding with the project, with Dan Doran and Naomi Fowler voting against, and Peter Young abstaining.

Mr Young has similar concerns to nearby residents — these include sale or leasing of public land, the potential cost to ratepayers, the loss of public open space and traffic congestion.

A bird's eye view of how the Gold Coast Arena site at Carey Park in Southport, which adjoins the Gold Coast Highway, currently looks. Picture: Bing Maps.

“All of these reasons weighed heavily in my consideration – sale or leasing of public land, concerns about ratepayer costs, and the loss of public open space,” Mr Young said.

“Whilst we’ve been advised in response to questioning in closed session that it’s intended to be delivered at zero cost, there’s no guarantee of that, and whilst I appreciate that the City might benefit substantially in the long run from such an asset I have concerns about overriding the long term designation for the land and turning it into a commercial facility.”

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Originally published as Support for tunnel to link future Gold Coast Arena with Broadwater Parklands