Gold Coast Development: Federal MP backs ‘hub and spoke’ model for tower of power

THE proposed Gold Coast ‘tower of power’ has gained a major new backer who has proposed a way the government hub would house public servants from across the city.

FEDERAL Government offices could be moved into the proposed Southport ‘tower of power’, with a senior member of the Morrison Government backing the project.

Gold Coast-based Industry, Innovation and Science Minister Karen Andrews has backed the proposed tower, saying it could have benefits for the city.

The Gold Coat Bulletin this week revealed Mayor Tom Tate was lobbying State Development Minister Cameron Dick to develop a joint-venture tower to house staff from both levels of government.

The tower would be the Gold Coast’s answer to Brisbane’s tower of power.

But the door is now open to federal offices, with the southern Gold Coast MP saying she supported a ‘hub and spoke’ model of a central office with small satellites scattered through the city.

“If there was going to be an efficient strengthening of Southport as a CBD, I would support a hub and spoke model to ensure the existing business districts in Robina, Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta are also supported,” she said.

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Karen Andrews. Picture Kym Smith

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“There has been a Department of Industry, Innovation and Science office at Southport for some time, so my department currently has a strong presence on the Gold Coast.”

The proposed tower is expected to be worth between $80m and $300m.

The council-owed Athol Paterson carpark has been mooted as the potential location for the commercial project.

Robina councillor Hermann Vorster has backed a central Southport tower but said he was concerned about the impact potential satellite offices would have in areas with little available parking.

Cr Hermann Vorster. Pic by Richard Gosling

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He cited the proposed creation of a ‘super Centrelink’ office in Robina which would not have parking for its staff, something he said would be an ‘unmitigated disaster’.

“It makes sense to put Government offices on the doorstep of high-frequency public transport like the light rail,” he said.

“The only fair thing to do is put these places on the light rail because the Department of Human Services have a policy of not providing their stuff with guaranteed on-site parking.

“A hub and spoke model can only work if the Government takes responsibly for its parking needs rather than dumping the problem on long-suffering local residents.”

Southport business leaders have backed the project, saying it would stimulate the economy.

Mayor Tom Tate. Pics Adam Head

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Cr Tate said the project would save both the federal and state governments ‘millions’ in lost productive but cutting their need to commute.

“The light rail would provide seamless transport direct to a Southport tower, which means more cars off the road so everyone wins,” he said.

“After all, the Feds and State are the major shareholders in the light rail so it makes sense to have their staff on that public transport system.

“The other significant saving is rent as we all know that running a dozen or more separate locations costs millions more than a centralised approach.’’