Five new entertainment hubs to be built as The Esplanade is closed to traffic
The Esplanade in Surfers Paradise is about to shut down to traffic as part of a $100 million plan to revitalise the Gold Coast’s tourism heart.
The Esplanade in Surfers Paradise will be closed to traffic and broken into five pedestrian hubs as part of a $100 million plan to revitalise the Gold Coast’s tourism heart.
Acting Mayor Mark Hammel on Thursday announced the road closures as part of a three-month trial to activate the space with events and entertainment.
Starting from midnight on Monday August 18, The Esplanade will close to traffic between Hanlan St and the roundabout in front of the Soul building.
Council plan to promote The People’s Esplanade Pop-Up with several events and placemaking features to showcase how the space can function as an extension of Cavill Mall.
Mr Hammel and area councillor Darren Taylor, who has pushed for the revitalisation project, provided maps showing the hubs. Traffic signage was being put up at the entry points to Surfers Paradise.
“We are committed to investing in the future of Surfers Paradise by enhancing our public spaces, improving accessibility and creating more opportunity for community connection,” Mr Hammel said.
“There will be something for everyone with various zones including live entertainment, hands-on activities, art activations, sports and places to chill out.
“We will engage local businesses to be a part of the activations which will provide them with opportunities to thrive by connecting more with the community.
“This is the perfect chance for us to shape the future of one of Australia’s most iconic coastal destinations.”
The People’s Esplanade – a 250m pedestrian zone and a 5000sq m increase in public space – will include these precincts:
* Beach House for social interactions
* Action Hub to play and be active
* Joytopia to gather with your mates
* Chill Cove to relax in the green
* Locals yard to connect with locals
Those activations are expected to be launched from August 30.
The trial is part of the Surfers Paradise Revitalisation Plan, which has been designed to reimagine the heart of the tourist mecca with more shade, greenery and pedestrian friendly public spaces.
Results from community consultation in April found 71 per cent of respondents were supportive of The Esplanade being more pedestrian-friendly.
The City said no carparks would be removed as part of the trial.
The Oceanway will remain open to pedestrians, cyclists and mobility devices and the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets will continue to trade.
The community will be asked for their input between August 22 and November 16 via council’s Have Your Say website.
In February 2023, councillors agreed to an immediate $40 million revamp of Surfers Paradise after being told the area needed urgent repair. Images were released of the upgrades to Cavill Mall and The Esplanade.
But some councillors were opposed to the idea of a staged $140m revitalisation project.
Mr Taylor and council officers had recommended a makeover for the Surfers precinct which would cover works on the mall, Cavill Ave to the Nerang River and The Esplanade.
A report to a council committee predicted the suburb’s population of 27,000 would reach 44,709 by 2041, whereas the rest of the Coast’s population was to increase by only 30 per cent.
The area had received a scathing review during a February 2024 election campaign when candidate Mona Hecke said the tourism heart at a street level “smells like a toilet”.
Mr Taylor responded and said $40m was being spent upgrading the mall, and councillors wanted the community consulted on the rest of the planned upgrade west to the Nerang River. This option received 85 per cent endorsement from residents.
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