Spit Master Plan: What is the next step for Gold Coast Central Park and where will work begin

The transformation of The Spit is about to start with improvement work on public facilities and parking before big “development opportunities” are offered in the next year.

THE transformation of The Spit is about to start with improvement work on public facilities and parking before big “development opportunities” are offered in the next year.

State Development Minister Cameron Dick said the government had committed $60 million to start job creation projects, unlocking a further $50 million investment from Village Roadshow which is beginning work on its New Atlantis thrill ride precinct and park near Sea World.

Plus the Gold Coast City Council is locked in a $35 million contribution.

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The Spit master plan — the options report showing what can occur on the northern end.

Mr Dick said projects identified in the master plan — aiming to be the city’s version of New York’s famed Central Park — had potential long term to create an estimated 1800 jobs and 800 extra short-stay rooms.

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The initial focus was on the top of The Spit with proposed improvements to the Seaway Promenade, The Moondarewa Spit, Doug Jennings Park and carparking.

A proposal to extend the network of pathways to ease access for pedestrians and cyclists to move within the precinct and connect with SeaWorld Drive was also being advanced, he said.

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Artist's impression of potential new mixed use area as part of The Spit master plan on the Gold Coast.

Mr Dick said among the next steps were setting up a local partnering agreement to kick off implementation works on The Spit that would occur in the next 12 months.

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The Queensland Government would also finalise staging and development opportunities of State-owned commercial development sites in the Village Centre precinct.

“The future development of these sites will spark further investment and job opportunities on the Spit,” he said.

“Interest has already been expressed in the commercial site opportunities from a range of operators. The State is gearing up to release the first of these development opportunities in the near future.

“Over the next 12 months, you will start to see on-the-ground outcomes of The Spit Master Plan, for the benefit of the Gold Coast community for generations.”

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The Spit master plan process.

Gold Coast Waterways Authority, while working with government and council on the Master Plan, will continue its own program of improvements worth $10.5 million.

Waterways CEO Hal Morris: ‘We’re continuing to work to improve The Spit’s appeal to locals and visitors and really promote it as a destination.”

Waterways had invested $5.7 million in upgrading Doug Jennings Park, turning it into a popular day trip destination, he said.

Improvements included shaded areas, a shared walking and cycling path plus emergency access stairs to the Seaway.

Residents had embraced the changes, using the park for a range of activities from small family

gatherings to major sponsored events.

Gold Coast Spit masterplan artist impressions

Mr Morris estimated $3.35 million would be spent upgrading the Sand Bypass System jetty on the northern end which would help with maintenance of the jet pumps.

“Jet pumps are lifted out of the water by a crane operating on the jetty deck. To enable cranes with greater capacity to operate safely on the deck the jetty needs to be upgraded,” he said.

A further $1.1 million would upgrade the system’s high voltage electrical switching gear on top of $350,000 spent last year on a trial solar array which is generating enough power to meet the daytime needs of the sand bypass system, he said.

Mr Morris said the other key area of focus was issuing permits for events in and

around Doug Jennings Park.

‘People may not realise this but we support some of the Gold Coast’s biggest events by managing the use of Doug Jennings Park,” he said.

“Over the last 12 months we’ve issued permits for events which have attracted thousands of people including the Magic Millions Polo, Polo by the Sea, weddings and various film and television shoots.’

Upcoming events planned for the area include the Queensland Surfing Stand-up paddle board

competition in November, next year’s Magic Millions polo and a community clean-up day at the end of this month.