Broadbeach set for major revamp: $1 million streetscaping project

DANCING in the street in Broadbeach will become a whole lot easier, thanks to a $1 million streetscaping project designed to transform Surf Parade into a people-friendly entertainment and events zone.

DANCING in the street in Broadbeach will become a whole lot easier, thanks to a $1 million streetscaping project designed to transform Surf Parade into a people-friendly entertainment and events zone.

On-street parking will be scrapped and gutters will be flattened in Surf Parade from Queensland Ave to Victoria Ave to allow footpaths to be widened to accommodate increased pedestrian traffic and demand for modern outdoor dining options.

Streetscaping, greenery, dining shelters and street furniture will be installed to provide safe, flexible spaces for events and take the precinct forward, both before and beyond the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Crowds flock to at Blues on Broadbeach.

The Surf Parade project is part of a Broadbeach Core Business Precinct Masterplan developed by stakeholders, including area councillor Paul Taylor, Broadbeach Alliance and council planning officers in consultation with traders.

“What we’re trying to do is open up Broadbeach Mall to draw Kurrawa Park and the western side of the highway in, to create connectivity between the east and west,” Cr Taylor said.

“We want to break down ‘the Berlin Wall’ of Broadbeach — that is the highway.”

An upgrade project is set to take place in Broadbeach.

Cr Taylor said the footbridge from Oracle across the Surf Parade-Victoria Ave intersection would be dismantled later this month.

“Jupiters and the Oasis have also decided to get rid of the monorail, so that will be coming out too,” he said.

Plans for Victoria Ave East, Broadbeach Mall and Kurrawa Park.

“We will then hopefully move the taxi rank from outside the Oasis, where it is now, over the road opposite the Sofitel where the bus shelters are.”

He said plans to reintroduce traffic lights at the Victoria Ave-Surf Parade roundabout were also being considered.

Crowds watch the action at the Broadbeach Country Music Festival.

Cr Taylor said developer contributions would be used to roll out the $34 million program of improvements outlined in the masterplan.

“There are 37 developments proposed along the strip from Monaco St to Markeri St, ranging from seven storeys to 61 storeys,” he said.

Cr Paul Taylor. Picture: Scott Fletcher

Extra-wide pedestrian “super crossings” will connect Main Place to the Gold Coast Convention Centre and Kurrawa Park to a greener, more modern-looking mall to allow large crowds to move throughout the precinct during events such as music festivals and the Supanova Pop Culture Expo and Cosplay Parade.

Broadbeach master plan shot.

Public utility services infrastructure such as three-phase power will be installed to reduce the cost of staging events in Kurrawa Park, Broadbeach Mall, Surf Parade and Victoria Park and busy loading zones and parking bays in front of outdoor dining areas will be relocated.

Broadbeach Alliance CEO Jan McCormick said the Surf Parade upgrade would begin after this year’s Broadbeach Country Music Festival, from June 17-19.

An upgrade project is set to take place in Broadbeach.

The section of Surf Parade from Queensland Ave to Victoria Ave becomes one of the busiest blocks in Broadbeach when it is closed to traffic during events including the Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival, the Broadbeach Country Music Festival and the Broadbeach Jazz Festival.

Mrs McCormick said the work, to be carried out in small stages to minimise disruptions to traders, was expected to take 10 months and be finished in time for the 2017 Blues on Broadbeach.

FLASHBACK: Blues on Broadbeach.