Future Gold Coast: How to solve the city’s COVID-19 downturn

Bulletin readers have reacted to fresh plans for big ticket items such as the light rail and Coomera Connector. READ ALL THE COMMENTS AND HAVE YOUR SAY

QUEENSLAND and national heavyweights say the Gold Coast has an “incredible” opportunity to lead all facets of society from the dark haze of the coronavirus pandemic.

Readers have now chimed in with their thoughts, with the light rail in particular hogging discussion.

"Will the community be involved in any of this planning or is it just the same old faces?," Lois asked.

"Look what the light rails done to Southport ! Main beach ! Surfers Paradise ! Broadbeach ! Absolutely stuffed," Darren added.

"These leaders work for us.... the people who live here," Samantha said.

"It's so very rare I hear ideas that actually represent my values or make me feel like there's any creative thought, vision or innovation being applied to the growing number of issues facing the Gold Coast.

"This short-sighted, development-at-all-costs, build-it-for-the-tourists mentality is dated and unwanted. Build infrastructure for residents and tourists will use it. But design it for the people who live here."

Ell also joined in: "What no cruise boat terminal now? Clunky expensive road choking trams, a couple of theme park rides and mass unwanted population growth is your only solution? Looking very grim indeed."

READ ALL THE COMMENTS BELOW

Fewer Australian cities have been hit harder by the worst health crisis in 100 years. Our tourism, small business and education engine rooms have been ravaged by the closure of domestic and international borders, and thousands of workers are on federal government subsidies.

HIGH SALES FOR NEW GOLD COAST DEVELOPMENTS

The future is looking bright, Gold Coast city leaders say Picture: LUKE MARSDEN PHOTO

However, leaders and experts across all sectors are adamant the Gold Coast has positioned itself to be a powerhouse in the pandemic recovery.

Social researcher Mark McCrindle said the Gold Coast had an “incredible opportunity” to not only reset, but prosper, in the COVID aftermath.

“This is a reset of everything from business to priorities, relationships, health and liveability,” Mr McCrindle said.

Mark McCrindle. (AAP IMAGE/Jordan Shields)

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“For the Gold Coast, there will be good times as we readjust. Data shows 50 per cent of Australians are reconsidering the suitability of their current housing situation because of COVID and it will be the lifestyle cities which will be the net beneficiaries.”

Mayor Tom Tate said the Gold Coast was a city of opportunity that had boundless possibilities ahead with an increasingly diversified economy. However, it came with a proviso — we must act now.

“Gold Coasters are resilient and what I have witnessed is a business community that has been agile and quick to adapt, and a community that has come together to support one another. The Gold Coast have-a-go spirit is alive and well.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Tertius Pickard

“We are not only a bold city but we are also a safe city — which is more important than ever — and makes us one of the most desirable places in Australia and even the world, to live and invest.

“So as our reputation as a young dynamic city, rich in physical beauty and enviable lifestyle, continues to increase, we need to continue to diversify our economy, plan for our growing city and to ensure critical infrastructure is in place.”

Moncrieff MP Angie Bell. Picture: Penny Bradfield

Moncrieff MP Angie Bell and other city leaders detailed key issues to help revamp the economy out of the pandemic-induced downturn in the City Heart Taskforce’s Reimagine Gold Coast report.

They include:

* The creation of an apolitical economic advocacy body to work across all three levels of government to secure and fast-track major job-creating projects such as light rail Stage 4 to the airport.

* The regeneration of Surfers Paradise under a masterplan being developed by the Gold Coast City Council.

Ms Bell said a significant re-sell of the city’s most famous suburb would bring a long-overdue facelift, create new jobs and businesses and give tourists a reason to visit.

Fedral member for Moncrieff, Angie Bell. Picture Glenn Hampson

“The regeneration of Surfers Paradise is really important because it is the face of the Gold Coast and I am working with stakeholders including Destination Gold Coast to ensure we can have a new tourism product to market to the world,” she said.

“There are a number of Gold Coasts around the world but there is only one Surfers Paradise and this is why it is so important to regenerate it.

“It must be a destination that people want to come to, stay longer and have more activities to enjoy.”

Gold Coast theme parks were forced to close for months as a result of the pandemic but are bouncing back. The entire tourism market is hopeful of the Queensland border being opened to greater Sydney at the end of the month.

Civic leaders will unveil a vast range of ideas in coming weeks. Picture: City of Gold Coast.

With up to three new rides expected to be open in 2021, Village Roadshow says it is already looking at opportunities for more attractions.

The closure of international and intrastate borders as a result of the pandemic brought the record-breaking migration to the Gold Coast to a screaming halt in March.

While overall numbers are not expected to bounce back for up to five years, there are already encouraging signs that the post-COVID migration figures will be larger than those forecast by Treasury in early 2019.

Real estate agents have reported a record-breaking number of inquiries from NSW and Victorians looking to relocate to the city.

The Gold Coast has exciting opportunities ahead.

Some agents are conducting virtual tours while others have sold multi-million properties sight-unseen.

Cr Tate said it was critical that major projects such as the light rail extension and Coomera Connector highway advance quickly.

“We know that many residents of southern states, so desperate to secure their piece of paradise, are buying properties site unseen,” he said.

“They are ready to pack up and move to the Gold Coast as soon as conditions allow.

“We must continue to work hard to ensure that both the state and federal governments invest in our city, to provide the vital infrastructure that will fast track our recovery.”

Originally published as Future Gold Coast: How to solve the city’s COVID-19 downturn