High-rise towers and riverside mansions planned for $800m Chinese theme park in Nerang

WELCOME to Chinatown, Nerang, a mini city which is planned to rise around a proposed $800 million Chinese-inspired theme park on the banks of the Nerang River.

Artist impression of Songcheng group’s planned Theme Park at Carrara. Imaged supplied by Canford Property Group

A CHINESE billionaire’s plans for a theme park at Nerang would create a new suburb for more than 2000 residents.

Huang Qiaoling’s company Songcheng has lodged new documents with the Gold Coast City Council that show towers up to 25 storeys at the proposed $600 million Australian Legends World.

DEVELOPERS UNVEIL NEW THEME PARK

The plans follow the lead of US theme parks which integrate resorts and homes with the attractions.

The 448,971sq m development would be split into three precincts — the tourism area housing the theme park and a giant indoor ski slope, a residential area housing at least five towers and townhouses, and the neighbourhood centre which would include exclusive riverside homes.

Artist impressions of the proposed high-density towers planned for Australian Legend World

The density of the towers could be as high as 769 bedrooms per net hectare and be 88m high — more than nine times the existing two-storey height limit.

Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce president Martin Brady welcomed the development and said the city was following in Disney’s footprints.

CHINESE TO INVEST $800 MILLION IN GOLD COAST

“The integration of the resort into the area would be complimentary to the (Metricon) stadium nearby and help boost our emerging sports tourism marketing,” he said.

The ski-slope would cover around 5200sq m and be a park centrepiece, along with a recreation of Uluru.

Artist impressions of the ski slope planned for Australian Legend World

There would be performance venues and attractions telling the history and cultural stories of China and Australia including the 1850s gold rush.

The developers say they should be allowed to exceed the two-storey height limit but stressed there would be no “bulky … wall of development”.

Imagery provided by the company suggests the riverfront homes would be similar to the opulent mansions of Paradise Waters.

Executives from Songcheng Group including. Chairman Qiaoling Huang talks with Chinese Consul-General Dr Yongchen Zhao and Mayor Tom Tate. Picture Glenn Hampson

The theme park and development would stretch from the Nerang Railway Station through to Lakeview Drive.

Queensland Master Builders Association regional manager John Duncalfe said the project would have major job creation benefits for the construction industry but would require significant work to ensure the Nerang River floodplain could be built upon.

Songcheng bought the site for $55 million last year from developer Wanda. The company, an experienced theme park developer, operates attractions across China.

Songcheng Chairman Qiaoling Huang. Picture Glenn Hampson

Two other Gold Coast theme parks are considering short-term accommodation facilities on their sites.

Village Roadshow gained approval from the council last year to build a nine-storey hotel at Oxenford while Dreamworld is reportedly looking at building its own resort at Coomera.

The Songcheng development application was submitted on Monday and councillors, including area representative Bob La Castra, will be briefed on the proposal next month.

Another Songcheng park.

The Gold Coast project will be the company’s first outside of China and already has the enthusiastic support of Mayor Tom Tate.

Cr Tate, who helped lure Songcheng to the Coast said: “Developments like this ensure we are renewing our tourism offerings, remaining relevant in a challenging market and delivering new product for the 13-plus million annual visitors.”

Mayor Tom Tate meeting with Songcheng Group executives last year. Picture Glenn Hampson