Gold Coast Oceanway: Councillor demands answers after state puts $11.5m to extend path

A senior Gold Coast councillor has launched an attack on the proposal Oceanway extension, demanding the State Government reveal its future plans to take the path into Palm Beach.

A SENIOR Gold Coast councillor has launched an attack on the proposal Oceanway extension, demanding the State Government reveal its future plans to take the path into Palm Beach.

The State Government on Wednesday revealed it had reached a deal with the Gold Coast City Council to widen the 6.6km path between Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads, ending years of delays over the divisive project.

FULL DETAILS: RESIDENTS GET SAY ON PALM BEACH TRAM PLANS

Artist impression of the Gold Coast Oceanway crossing at Currumbin Creek

A $1.5 business case will also be completed to extend the path south to Currumbin and built a new pedestrian bridge over Currumbin Creek.

Area councillor Daphne McDonald slammed the announcement and said it had left Palm Beach residents anxious over the future of their properties.

‘I want to know how the hell they are planning to do this,” she said.

“A lot of the A-line rockwall the oceanway is built on top of is under private properties in Palm Beach so that suggests their options are either to resume private property or move the boulder wall.

“Minister, please explain what is going to happen because those who live near there need answers.”

The extension of the Oceanway has been a long-running issue, with plans for new sections proving highly controversial in some neighbourhoods.

The Palm Beach Oceanway itself was halted and scrapped in 2008 after more than three years of planning.

Artist impression of the Gold Coast Oceanway at Burleigh.

A spokesman for Mr Bailey said planning had not yet begun on the Palm Beach stretch of the Oceanway.

“The $1.5 million announced by the Palaszczuk Government this week was specifically for a business case to build a bike/pedestrian bridge over Currumbin Creek,” the spokesman said.

“That planning project will look at how the bridge could link up with the existing bike and pedestrian path and potential upgrades to the path that’s currently there running south from Currumbin Alley.

“Development of bikeways, particularly near environmentally-sensitive coastal areas, require careful planning and extensive community consultation and the Currumbin project will be no different.

“The Tugun to Bilinga stretch of the Oceanway is a good example of a project that was initially met with strong community opposition but, since opening in early 2019, has become a much loved and popular community asset.”

Cr Daphne McDonald. Picture Glenn Hampson

The project first began construction during Ron Clarke’s mayoralty in the late 2000s. An initial plan included an uninterrupted pathway from the Seaway at The Spit to the NSW border.

But lobbying from angry residents stalled the building of some sections.

A plan to build a concrete path along the beachfront between Tugun and Bilinga in front of million-dollar beachfront houses was scrapped in 2014 after protests from residents.

At one point, the Friends of Currumbin community group led weekly protest marches in support of the project, while beachfront residents opposed it.

WEDNESDAY

A NEW pedestrian and bike bridge will be built over Currumbin Creek as part of a $11.5 million deal to broaden the controversial Gold Coast Oceanway.

The State Government and council have agreed to widen the 6.6km path between Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads, ending years of delays over the divisive project.

FIRST LOOK INSIDE COAST’S NEW $500M SHOPPING CENTRE

It means the existing stretch of the Oceanway at Burleigh, between Kelly Ave and Justins Park, will be widened from 3.5m to 5m.

This work will be completed simultaneously with the $709 million extension of the light rail between Broadbeach and Burleigh.

A business case will also be completed to extend the path south to Currumbin.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey. Picture: Annette Dew

“The Department of Transport and Main Roads is progressing a concept design and feasibility study and would start community consultation in early 2021,” Transport Minister Mark Bailey said about the Oceanway.

“These stages of the Oceanway will be delivered with $10 million locked in from Palaszczuk Government and funding from council.

“We are also committing $1.5 million to do a business case for the new section of the Oceanway through Currumbin, which will include a new cycle and pedestrian bridge over Currumbin Creek.”

The extension of the Oceanway has been a long-running issue, with plans for new sections proving highly controversial in some neighbourhoods.

Flashback: An Oceanway protest in December 2013.

The project first began construction during Ron Clarke’s mayoralty in the late 2000s. An initial plan included an uninterrupted pathway from the Seaway at The Spit to the NSW border.

But lobbying from angry residents stalled the building of some sections.

The Palm Beach Oceanway was halted and scrapped in 2008 after more than three years of planning.

A plan to build a concrete path along the beachfront between Tugun and Bilinga in front of million-dollar beachfront houses was scrapped in 2014 after protests from residents.

At one point, the Friends of Currumbin community group led weekly protest marches in support of the project, while beachfront residents opposed it.

A $4 million extension was eventually completed in 2019.

In 2019, council gave the green light to a 1.6km extension between Laycock Street and First Ave at Broadbeach.

Wealthy residents at one of the city’s most affluent streets, Hedges Ave, voiced concern at the move, fearing the pathway would be built in front of their properties.

At the time, Mayor Tom Tate made assurances to those residents that the council would take a “step-by-step” approach to the project. Council is awaiting a report on the project.