Gold Coast development: Main Beach strategic plan reveals how to revamp Tedder Ave

Speed limits on one of the Gold Coast’s most famous stretches of road would be slashed to just 10km/h under a radical plan to ‘save’. But one business owner has dismissed the idea as ‘nonsensical’.

SPEED limits on one of the Gold Coast’s most famous stretches of road would be slashed to just 10km/h under a radical plan to ‘save’ Main Beach.

Converting the famed Tedder Ave into a shared pedestrian zone and revamping it as a “lively village” are at the heart of the Main Beach Progress Association’s 2019-2024 strategic plan.

The plan, developed by the community group and planning firm Better Cities, aims to re-establish Tedder Ave and Main Beach as the city’s premier dining and shopping precinct

Tedder Avenue, Main Beach. Picture: Jerad Williams

TURN TEDDER AVE INTO COAST’S OWN RODEO DRIVE

The plan, which the Bulletin can reveal, says: “Tedder Ave’s primary function is trade rather than acting as a thoroughfare. As such further exploration is warranted regarding its transition to a shared zone – promoting increased pedestrian safety and facilitating car movements at 10km/h.

“Such an initiative would build on the natural people-watching and cafe culture strength that Tedder Ave enjoys,” it says, calling it: “An area that is safe with limited traffic, clean air and free of dark and forbidding spaces.”

The Main Beach plan has been backed by key tourism leaders, but one business owner said it was “nonsensical”.

Neil Fisher of Domani's and Georgie Brown of the Main Beach Progress Association at the Tedder Ave. Picture: Jerad Williams

Mechanical bollards will be installed at either end of the street to block off vehicles for special events.

Those events could include the Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup series in the Broadwater, which the association wants the council to target.

Group secretary Georgie Brown said the time was right for Main Beach to consider its economic future.

“We are hoping this will be a blueprint for the future of Main Beach because in the past we have struggled because of the increased competition,” she said.

“If we can see it become a destination with major events - given we are between the Broadwater and racetrack - it will boost the economy.

“This is about setting Main Beach apart from other parts of the Gold Coast.”

Jay Pask. Picture: Jerad Williams

But shop owner Jay Pask has slammed the plan as “nonsensical”, pointing to the failure of the Southport Mall in the 1980s and 1990s.

”Anyone can see this is a thoroughfare. It is how people get to and from their units. If they can’t come through Tedder, how the bloody hell are they supposed to get home?” he said.

“Every time you stop traffic going through a street it dies. This implies there is something wrong with Tedder and there isn’t, we love it here and don’t want it to change.

“It’s a turf war on Tedder but whether it is Rodeo Drive or Champs-Elysees, they all have traffic.”

The plan also advocates securing major events including the Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup series in the Broadwater for ongoing economic benefit.

Paul Donovan. Picture by Scott Fletcher

Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan, who wrote the plan foreword, said: “For the first time we have a strategic plan which makes sense and it gives Main Beach an opportunity to get back to where it used to be,” he said.

“Tedder Ave was one of the best assets on the Coast and this will help take us to the next step.

“With the Spit masterplan now out we will need to work together collaboratively to see what can be done for the best end result.”

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Tedder Ave has struggled in recent years. Picture: Jerad Williams

Shuck restaurant owners Scott and Anna Budgen said the plan was essential if Tedder was to survive and retain individuality.

“The Gold Coast sees more and more large scale shopping centre developments which present customers and diners with more of the same,” Mr Budgen said.

“The charm of Main Beach is its different restaurant boutiques and the variety of experiences available from the beach, the Broadwater and The Spit.”