Gold Coast development: Southport business leaders back ‘tower of power’ proposal

A $300 million ‘tower of power’ proposed for Southport is one step closer to becoming a reality after a ‘frank and honest’ meeting secured it more backers.

A PROPOSED ‘tower of power’ housing the Gold Coast’s government bureaucrats has gained the backing of business leaders.

The Gold Coast Bulletin last month 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.

TOWER OF POWER WOULD CUT STATE OFFICES

The Coast could have its own tower of power if this idea comes to fruition.

BUSINESS LEADERS BACK TOWER OF POWER PLAN

Now, the project has got the backing of the Committee for Southport, a powerful lobby group who met with Cr Tate last week for a ‘frank and honest discussion’ about the concept.

Committee head John Howe said it had resolved to back the tower.

“The committee met with the Mayor and had a generation discussion and we gave our support to the proposal,” he said.

“It was a frank and honest discussion and we understand the council are doing their in-house studies on it at the moment.”

TOWER PROJECTS COULD BE ACTIVATED BY TOWER OF POWER

John Howe. Picture by Scott Fletcher

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN AND GET A FITBIT

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

The council-owned Athol Paterson carpark was mooted as the potential location for the commercial project, with Mal Burke Carpark also suggested.

The proposal has already been backed by some Southport business leaders, civic and tourism leaders, as well as Federal McPherson MP Karen Andrews.

Among the benefits mooted would be that a new tower would be a strong show of confidence in the market and unlock billions of dollars worth of nearby development along the light rail route.

Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Adam Head

NEVER MISS A MINUTE WITH THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN APP

Cr Tate said he was confident that a deal could be reached and end 20 years of attempts to consolidate the Gold Coast’s bureaucratic workforce.

“Getting an entire State Government Department here has been tried for 20 + years without success. But getting State workers off the M1 would be a win for current M1 users as well as improve the quality of life of these State workers who have to commute to Brisbane on a daily basis,” he said.

“The Southport CBD’s success hinges on luring such CBD suburb level anchor tenants from the State and Federal governments.

Let’s make it happen so Southport CBD goes to the next level.

I’m willing to take any proposal to Full Council, to have the private sector construct it on top of Mal Bure carpark, adding to the public parking while getting more workers close to light rail in our CBD.’’