Mayor promises ferry terminals will help give people access to the future Gold Coast cultural precinct

FERRY terminals between Surfers Paradise and Evandale park will help solve traffic issues which threaten to plague the future cultural precinct.

FERRY terminals between Surfers Paradise and Evandale park will help solve traffic issues which threaten to plague the future cultural precinct.

Mayor Tom Tate yesterday led a tour of the construction site where the first stage of the project, a 5000-person capacity amphitheatre, is currently being built.

The amphitheatre is replacing the old “beehive” administration building which was demolished last year due to structural issues.

An artist’s impression of the amphitheatre under construction in the first stage of the Gold Coast's new cultural precinct.

The $37.5 million first stage is a part of a multi-million dollar project which will include a new art gallery and a pedestrian bridge linking the precinct to Chevron Island.

Cr Tate yesterday said that despite the massive development there will still be plenty of parking available and steps would be taken to reduce traffic congestion.

“The vision also has ferry terminals so that if you are in Surfers Paradise you can came across on water,” he said.

Andrew Gatt and Dan Thomas of Combined electrical working on the first stage of cultural precinct. Picture: John Gass

While the ferry terminal is years off, the first stage of the precinct is expected to be completed by December.

The amphitheatre’s first major use will be as a live site for the Commonwealth Games where people will be able to watch the action on the big screen.

“Post the Commonwealth Games why shouldn’t we have ongoing culture and activities, live music, opera, all those sort of wonderful things the next generation should enjoy,” Cr Tate said.

Audio engineers were yesterday testing different sound systems to determine which produced the best sound for the environment.

The Council "Beehive" being demolished to make way for the amphitheatre as a part of the cultural precinct currently under construction. Picture: Richard Gosling

The mayor had a preference for the first big name act he would like to see test the sound system.

“My heart goes out towards Pink,” he said.

As well as a venue for concerts, the amphitheatre has been designed so it can be turned into a function room and “black box” theatre.