Huge change to carparking and access at Gold Coast’s iconic Burleigh headland
One of the Gold Coast’s most loved beach headland lookouts is earmarked for a massive change involving a car park. Bulletin readers have been quick to chime in. WHAT DO YOU THINK? VOTE IN OUR POLL
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A MAJORITY of residents surveyed want the Burleigh headland car park to remain, and not be removed under a council plan to create more parkland.
The Bulletin has asked readers “would you like to see the car park removed on Burleigh hill?”.
In a poll which late on Wednesday had attracted 1376 votes, only 29 per cent supported the car park being replaced by parkland and a toilet block.
Bulletin readers are also having their say online.
“Ludicrous planning as usual, more lights at entrance to a track that is now closed once again indefinitely due to rock falls. There’s a toilet block just down the hill, a big one, well lit and adjoining the restaurants where its most needed,” Robina wrote.
‘Me’ added: “As the bus driver for seniors and physically impaired people, I would be deeply saddened if the top carpark is closed. Our daily visits would have to cease if our folks can no longer access their beautiful spot on the hill. Please consider locals! We have enough to cater for tourists. Don’t keep dismissing we ratepayers.”
Cameron had a different take: “The problem with Burleigh now is overcrowding. Doesn’t have the relaxed vibe as it used too. Mermaid is so much more local now.”
READ ALL THE COMMENTS BELOW
Burleigh MP Michael Hart admits the plans will divide the community.
Some residents support Goodwin Terrace remaining open to the top of the headland with its roundabout and car parking, Mr Hart says.
Others want to stop visitors from drinking up there and causing disturbances.
Area councillor Daphne McDonald in a statement told the Bulletin: “This is still in the planning stage but there is a concept plan to transfer the parking area down the hill. There will be additional car parks not a loss of car parks.
“It will be going through consultation shortly.”
A Bulletin reader wrote: “This would be one of the dumbest decisions of all time. This is only one of two places between the Spit and Coolangatta where you can look out over the beautiful Pacific ocean and foreshore, back to Surfers Paradise, from an elevated headland.”
Another reader implored the council to build the toilet block.
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“But leave the car park as is. Council assumes that everyone will use the tram and don’t think about the locals who don’t live in Southport, Surfers or Broadbeach who have no access to a tram and no point trying to park in those areas then catch a tram,” the reader said.
Other comments pointed to Burleigh headland being an “iconic location” destroyed by light rail and development.
A City spokesperson said: “Any draft design concepts associated with the Burleigh Heads Place Making Plan will be subject to community consultation next month. The community is invited to provide feedback on the direction of the Burleigh Heads Place Making Plan via gchaveyoursay.com.au from May 6-19, 2021.”
EARLIER
ONE of the Gold Coast’s most loved beach headland lookouts is earmarked for a massive change.
The council is considering removing the Goodwin Terrace road link and car park at the top of Burleigh headland.
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Burleigh MP Michael Hart confirmed the plans after private briefings with council about a Burleigh Heads Place Making Plan master plan as part of the light rail upgrade from Broadbeach.
“It’s part of their (the council’s) considerations,” Mr Hart said. “I had a briefing with them. This is part of the beautification of Burleigh.”
Council’s plans include improved lighting at the headland near the entrance to the tracks and replacing the top section of the road and carparking with a grassed area, the Burleigh MP added.
“There have been two or three council planning sessions. It’s definitely under consideration. They will put a grass area up there (where the car park and roundabout is) and a toilet block.
My understanding is they will not be doing anything until light rail (Stage 3) is finished. We have a bit of time to consider that.”
Stage 3 is not scheduled to be complete until at least 2023.
Mr Hart predicted council’s plans would receive a mixed reception from residents.
“It’s a double-edged sword. A lot of people go up there to watch the surf, see the sun set.
“But we get a lot of complaints about people going up there drinking.”
A Tallebudgera resident said the office of area councillor Daphne McDonald had outlined the planning options when she attempted to call the councillor about her concerns.
“They will turn it into parks and lawns. The (current) parking will be moved to Rudd Park,” the resident said.
“I can’t believe they’re wrecking Goodwin Terrace and the southern end of the Coast. It’s a disaster.”
Another resident who lived close to the headland said already there was a lack of parking for unit owners because workers on tower sites were taking the few available spaces on the street.
“We know what is good for Burleigh, what people enjoy. Then council thinks this is a brilliant idea,” the resident said.
“Burleigh is being destroyed. It’s like there is this passion to destroy it. That headland is such a special place. People do the run up there (in their cars) and do the circle.”
The resident said Burleigh apartment owners living near the beach were not opposed to development but wanted more consultation on future projects.
“We’re just so disgruntled. It doesn’t seem to matter what the residents of Burleigh think. We all agree there should be progress, that it’s part of life
“But as soon as that light rail comes in, all (building) regulation will cease.”
Cr McDonald did not respond to a request for comment.
A City spokesperson said: “Any draft design concepts associated with the Burleigh Heads Place Making Plan will be subject to community consultation next month. The community is invited to provide feedback on the direction of the Burleigh Heads Place Making Plan via gchaveyoursay.com.au from May 6-19, 2021.”
Former surfer and Palm Beach resident Rob Grover said: “You’ve already got thousands of acres of parklands (in the national park), why do they need an extra couple hundred metres?
“One of the things people complain about on the Gold Coast is lack of parking. You don’t ever hear people complain about lack of parkland.”
He added he didn’t believe the idea would make it past community consultation.
“A Burleigh Master Plan needs to exhibit what the community wants. If the community wants parkland, they’ve already got it here.
“If the community wants to have parking removed, well, I’m absolutely certain the community doesn’t want that,” he said.
Another Burleigh regular Steve Crump told the Bulletin he believed the lack of toilets had sparked the plan.
“People sit up here and drink and then there’s no toilets, they have to walk all the way down (to the Pavilion),” he said.
“Or they go around the other side of those bushes. So you’re getting residents calling the police (and) complaining.”
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