Council identifies locations where 10 new green bridges can be built on Gold Coast

Pedestrian bridges have begun popping across the Gold Coast, with council identifying 10 more that can be built in the next decade. Here’s where they would go.

COUNCIL officers have identified 10 green bridges which can be built on the Gold Coast in the next decade.

The council is currently completing the $19.5 million HOTA green bridge between Evandale and Chevron Island due to be finished early next year.

Green bridges are usually restricted to walkers and cyclists. At the Sundale Bridge in Southport, about 3000 pedestrians and bicycle riders use the bridge next to the main vehicular connection each day.

At the Macintosh Island green bridge, more than 10,000 people were estimated to use the bridge during the GC600 event.

An artist impression of the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island Green Bridge.

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According to a new report, the next priority bridges include a link between Chevron Island and Surfers Paradise and a new connection across Reedy Creek to Old Coach Road.

But councillors after receiving their report in a council transport meeting today asked to be first consulted before further work was done.

Both Deputy Mayor Donna Gates and Councillor William Owen-Jones, based in the city’s north, raised concerns about the report.

“I think we need a lot more work (on this),” Cr Gates said.

Cr Owen-Jones said councillors supported green bridges but the new transport facilities which eased traffic congestion had to be built in the right place.

“I think it’s maybe the new council (in 2020) is better informed of what the options are,” he said.

“We just want to make sure they are in the best place, at the right time and we get the best bang for our buck.”

NEW PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES FOR SURFERS PARADISE AND BROADBEACH

Pedestrian bridges are being spruiked as an environmentally-friendly congestion buster.

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Design work is starting on two bridges at Broadwater Waters – north-south between Etna Street and Rio Vista Blvd, and to Isle of Capri.

Other lesser priorities include a green bridge linking Carrara and Benowa between Benowa Road and Carrara Road.

Listed in the council transport plan to 2023 is a link between Broadbeach and Broadbeach Waters between Australia Ave and Allambi Ave.

Two projects are listed for Paradise Island connecting with Surfers Paradise and a north south link at Varsity Lakes is to be built between Tracey Crescent and Comore Drive.

Early work is also being started at Nerang with a bridge connecting Arthur Earle Park and Nerang Street the first of two bridges in the suburb.

Councillors supported a move by Robina-based councillor Hermann Vorster to extend the work across the city to include nearby footpath and cycle locations.

Council officers will be required to undertake further consultation and prepare another report before the list is ticked off by councillors.