Gold Coast City Councillors reveal their wishlists of projects in each division
We asked every city councillor what they want fixed and what they want built in their area - now we can reveal what your local representative wants for you. SEE THE FULL WISHLIST
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JUST over a year since the city went to the polls its representatives have big plans for the post-COVID future.
We’ve asked each councillor from Division 1-14 to tell us exactly what they think the most important things in their area are.
The Bulletin asked each city councillor to supply:
● Three projects in their division which need to be fixed;
● Three new projects they want built in their division (whether it’s state, federal or local).
See the full list below.
GOLD COAST COUNCILLOR’S WISHLIST
MARK HAMMEL – DIVISION 1
(Alberton, Jacobs Well, Kingsholme, Ormeau, South Moreton Bay Island, Stapylton, Steiglitz, Cedar Creek, Pimpama, Yatala, Woongoolba)
WHAT NEEDS FIXING
● Public transport: Public transport is an absolute joke in Division 1 and in some areas is non-existent. “I would like to see more bus stops connect to important services such as schools, shops, train stations, light rail and other community hubs,” he said.
● Green space and playgrounds: More open green space and improved playground amenities for kids and families to enjoy well into the future.
● Footpaths and bikeways: “There are literally kilometres of missing footpath network throughout Division 1.”
WHAT HE WANTS BUILT
● New community centre and library: In spite of our geographic size and population, Division 1 still has no permanent library and relies on mobile libraries, book kiosks, or residents travelling to the nearest libraries in Helensvale and Upper Coomera. “It is a high priority for me to ensure our community has its own library in Ormeau.”
● Highway and intersection upgrades: Heavily congested interchanges are causing residents and business owners to sit in traffic for up to 40 minutes to simply cross the M1.
● Dedicated pedestrian and cycle way bridges over the M1: At Ormeau’s north and south M1 exits.
WILLIAM OWEN-JONES – DIVISION 2
(Helensvale, Hope Island, Monterey Keys, Oxenford, Studio Village, Sanctuary Cove)
WHAT NEEDS FIXING
● More parking at Helensvale’s light and heavy rail station, and at the proposed new Hope Island Road railway station.
● Fixing the traffic flow in and around Global Plaza (Bunnings/Kmart) in Oxenford. The first stage of works will create a new right turn into Bunnings. The second stage of works is to reconstruct, and create, a new turning lane to the existing entrance to Kmart.
● Fixing the drainage on Sickle Avenue in Hope Island – to remove surface water that ponds every time it rains.
WHAT HE WANTS BUILT
● New splash pad play area at Helensvale Aquatic Centre.
● Improved safety and increased car parking at Damian Leeding Park’s Heathwood Drive entrance in Oxenford.
● Completing the Sickle Park upgrade in Hope Island.
DONNA GATES – DIVISION 3
(Coomera, Maudsland, Upper Coomera, Willowvale, Wongawallan)
WHAT NEEDS FIXING
● Better service from mowing contractors.
● Continuation of shade cover over playgrounds and improved lighting in Division 3 parks.
● Repair/reseal Baileys Mountain Road, Upper Coomera.
WHAT SHE WANTS BUILT
● Traffic signals at Amity and Foxwell roads, Coomera and a shared pathway from Learning St to Oaky Creek Rd, Coomera to connect with the path to Foxwell State Secondary College. Funding already approved.
● Funding a new leash-free dog exercise area at Coomera (advertising options will soon commence).
● Provision of female change rooms for all football codes at Viney Park and Coomera Sports Park.
● Construction of pathways to the Coomera Rivers State School (Lisa Cres, Olivia Close and Kelly and Bloom avenues).
CAMERON CALDWELL - DIVISION 4
(Biggera Waters, Hollywell, Paradise Point, South Stradbroke Island, Sovereign Island, Coombabah, Runaway Bay)
WHAT NEEDS FIXING
● More police for Runaway Bay Police Station to ensure the station is properly resourced and able to meet the needs of the community.
● Greater funding and resources from the state government to the Gold Coast Waterways Authority and Water Police to ensure the Broadwater and surrounding waterways are safe and clear of unsafe and dilapidated vessels.
● State funding for the signalisation of the Oxley Dve/Lae Dve roundabout to assist with north-south flow on Oxley Dve at peak times and to ensure safety at an intersection that has a poor history of accidents.
WHAT HE WANTS BUILT
● State funding for the Brisbane Rd/Pine Ridge Rd, Coombabah intersection to reduce traffic congestion at peak times. Cr Caldwell said council had allocated $5.4 million towards the project, but the state was yet to commit funds to construction.
● State funding for the duplication of the Jabiru Island Bridges to ensure vehicle safety and to reduce traffic congestion allowing for better flow for residents using Hope Island Rd and Oxley Dve.
PETER YOUNG - DIVISION 5
(Clagiraba, Maudsland, Park Lake, Pacific Pines, Park Lake, Gaven, Guanaba, Highland Park, Mount Nathan, Nerang)
WHAT NEEDS FIXING
● Big funds allocated by the state for genuine protection of the environmental values and mountain biking opportunities in Nerang State Forest.
● Approval to progress a couple more fenced dog parks in Pacific Pines and Nerang.
● More parking facilities in the Nerang CBD.
WHAT HE WANTS BUILT
● Expansion of MyCentre shopping centre on Gilston Rd to go ahead. This is not a council project but is of great significance to the community of Nerang and Highland Park, especially now that the owner has bulldozed a huge portion of the site.
● Along with that, the construction of the missing stage of Gilston Rd four-laning and footpaths, from Station St to near the high school.
● Construction of footpaths on Binstead Way and Gaven arterial. Cr Young said there were long lengths of footpath required, for which no funding exists, and he was “desperately trying to move these forward”.
● Construction of a footpath on Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd to provide safe travel for kids at Silkwood School in particular.
BROOKE PATTERSON - DIVISION 6
(Ashmore, Benowa, Bundall, Southport)
WHAT NEEDS FIXING
● Stop hooning.
● Ease traffic issues around schools.
● Ensure safety and stop crime, including: anti-social behaviour and graffiti.
WHAT SHE WANTS BUILT
● CBD transformation, including: Council chambers, Supreme Law Court and Australian Tax Office.
● Green bridges connecting travel from Bundall/Benowa through to Chirn Park.
● Greening of residential streets and rejuvenating neighbourhood parks.
RYAN BAYLDON-LUMSDEN - DIVISION 7
(Arundel, Helensvale, Labrador, Parkwood, Molendinar)
WHAT NEEDS FIXING
● Napper Rd resurfacing, active transport and wildlife fencing.
● Greenacre Dve.
● Captain Cook Drive/Pine Ridge Road-Brisbane Road intersection — needs state support.
WHAT HE WANTS BUILT
● Len Fox Park masterplan delivery.
● Upgrades to Abbott Park, Parkwood.
● Light rail to Griffith University up Olsen Ave.
BOB LA CASTRA - DIVISION 8
(Carrara, Clear Island Waters, Merridown, Merrimac, Nerang, Benowa, Ashmore)
WHAT NEEDS FIXING
● Gooding Dve roundabout (state government). “Still a liability, after countless redesigns and works. I, and many residents, feel that a ‘flyover’ should be given serious consideration.”
● Bottle-neck on Gooding Dve (state government), west of Bourton Rd, to accommodate the increased traffic that will come with the new Merrimac Railway Station. Local roads (council) in the vicinity that link-up (Ghilgai Rd/Entry Dve), also need upgrades.
● Regular and reliable Rapid Bus Link (state government) between Nerang Railway Station and Broadbeach.
WHAT HE WANTS BUILT
● Commencement of Stage 1 of the Greenheart parklands project in Robina-Carrara.
● New elite training field for football (soccer) at Metricon Stadium.
● A cost-effective visitor centre for the botanic gardens.
GLENN TOZER - DIVISION 9
(Austinville, Bonogin Valley, Lower Beechmont, Numinbah, Neranwood, Gilston, Natural Bridge, Mudgeeraba, Springbrook, Tallai, Worongary, Reedy Creek, Advancetown)
WHAT NEEDS FIXING
● Lower Beechmont community building.
● Upgrade to Mudgeeraba Showgrounds to match their 20-year plan.
● Funding for new women’s changerooms at the Mudgeeraba Redbacks.
WHAT HE WANTS BUILT
● Better parking solutions for Springbrook and upgrades to Springbrook Rd between the Fudge Shop and community hall. State road for state national park attraction.
● Funding to advance the growth and expansion of the Firth Park Sports Precinct (state, council and federal could all help). Junior AFL and cricket need new homes there.
● Road upgrades on Worongary Rd from Mudgeeraba Showgrounds through to Tallai Golf Club (at least). This is another state road project well overdue.
DARREN TAYLOR - DIVISION 10
(Broadbeach, Broadbeach Waters, Bundall, Main Beach, Isle of Capri, Paradise Waters, Sorrento, Surfers Paradise, The Spit)
WHAT NEEDS FIXING
● Revitalisation of Surfers Paradise.
● Improvement of the empty blocks of land throughout Surfers and Broadbeach.
● Illegal dumping in Surfers Paradise.
WHAT HE WANTS BUILT
● Relocate toilets and information centre in the entrance of Cavill Mall.
● Street mural art Broadbeach laneway.
● Improvements in Cavill Mall and Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise.
HERMANN VORSTER - DIVISION 11
(Burleigh Waters, Robina, Varsity Lakes)
WHAT NEEDS FIXING
● State action on crime: Support for campaign against crime, including: public transport marshals; tougher penalties for young vandals; reforming reckless driving laws; and expanding the Community Camera Alliance to the Gold Coast.
● State action on car parking: “State to take responsibility for the car parking crisis around its schools, hospitals, stadiums and the Robina TAFE.”
● Better maintenance: Securing a higher standard of maintenance in the Varsity Lakes CBD and the lakeside routes around Robina Town Centre.
WHAT HE WANTS BUILT
● Robina City Parklands: Construction of the Robina City Parklands, set to boast playgrounds, waterplay, sports fields and more.
● Bus rapid transit: State support for an electric, all-hours bus service linking light rail to heavy rail through Varsity Lakes to Robina Town Centre.
● Intersection upgrades: State to help upgrade the intersections around the state-owned (QIC) Robina Town Centre including at Laver Dve and Robina Parkway.
PAULINE YOUNG - DIVISION 12
(Burleigh Waters, Mermaid Beach, Mermaid Waters, Miami, Nobby Beach)
WHAT NEEDS FIXING
● Intersection upgrade Cassowary Dve/Christine Ave, Burleigh Waters: An additional eastbound lane on Christine Ave between Bermuda St and Whistler Dve. And upgrade of substandard footpaths and kerb ramps that are not DDA compliant.
● Shared path Markeri Street, Rio Vista Boulevard to Southport Burleigh Rd, Mermaid Beach: To deliver a missing footpath connection servicing the Mermaid Beach area.
● Revitalisation of the Nobby Precinct: Parking is at a premium, residential streets are at capacity and with private and public investment hopefully these issues and more may be addressed.
WHAT SHE WANTS BUILT
● Pizzey Park masterplan: Planning, funding and delivery of the first five-year milestones to support the current and forecasted population growth within Division 12.
● Broadbeach Primary School Kiss n Go Zone: As a joint project with the state government to deliver a safe and accessible route to school. And to incorporate the school in the active school travel program which will see a significant reduction in traffic congestion and parking pressure around the school. Will also increase student health and wellbeing.
● Commencement of Light Rail Stage 3: During the construction phase to guarantee equitable access and amenity to business is protected with safety as a priority.
DAPHNE MCDONALD - DIVISION 13
(Elanora, Tallebudgera, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach, Tallebudgera Valley)
WHAT NEEDS FIXING
● Increase police numbers.
● Homeless assistance.
● Safe boating channel.
WHAT SHE WANTS BUILT
● Additional public parkland.
● Art and craft gallery.
● Additional car parking.
GAIL O’NEILL - DIVISION 14
(Elanora, Bilinga, Tallebudgera, Kirra, Coolangatta, Currumbin, Currumbin Waters, Currumbin Valley, Rainbow Bay, Tugun, Tallebudgera Valley)
WHAT NEEDS FIXING
● All old drainage infrastructure be upgraded in a shorter time frame.
● Upgrade of Currumbin Creek Rd and footpaths (state government controlled).
● Rural areas that do not receive waste service to be adequately serviced.
WHAT SHE WANTS BUILT
● Widening of Oceanway between Currumbin Alley car park and Winders Park.
● Formalising car parking in Jarvis Lane, Coolangatta to create several more unrestricted car parks.
● Planting of several more trees in and around Coolangatta CBD.
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