Burleigh’s big carparking changes after councillors unanimously back future plan
Councillors have voted on revamped plans for one of the Gold Coast’s most popular and loved beach locations. WHAT IT MEANS FOR PARKING >>
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PARKING will be removed from the top of Burleigh headland and part of James Street under revamped plans for one of the Gold Coast’s most popular and loved beach locations.
Councillors at a planning committee meeting on Thursday unanimously backed a Burleigh Heads Business Centre Place Making Plan which led to 1372 responses in a survey.
Goodwin Terrace will have traffic calming and additional parkland along with a toilet block.
Officers when questioned by Acting Mayor Donna Gates confirmed there is to be a drop-off point at the top of the hill, which will help the elderly and disabled gain access.
One in five residents surveyed opposed the removal of the carparking, but there was strong support for extra parking to be placed at nearby Rudd Park.
Planning chair Cameron Caldwell told the Bulletin: “The clear message is that locals love Burleigh. The Burleigh Place Making Plan identifies what residents value about the suburb and how we can improve it.”
The three top items for residents were the beach, dining and the green natural environment.
“Parking was the focus many submissions, so potential parking changes would ensure no loss of carparking with the potential reconfigure more accessible and user friendly spaces in Rudd Park,” Cr Caldwell said.
“The iconic and heavily used headland park could be expanded to give more recreational capacity.
“Implementation of the changes will be the subject of future detailed design and funding, with completion to occur in time for the light rail connection.”
Area councillor Daphne McDonald during the committee debate said residents had a “really good opportunity to have input” in a thorough public consultation process.
“We just want to make whatever changes are made there or upgrades, we just want to get it right,” she said.
Helensvale-based councillor William Owen-Jones said the surveying showed feedback was not just limited to the Burleigh area.
“Clearly everyone loves Burleigh. It’s a logical report moving forward for the future of Burleigh,” he said.
EARLIER: ONE in five residents strongly oppose the removal of carparking from one of the Gold Coast’s best viewing platforms, a new survey shows as city councillors decide the future of Burleigh Headland.
Councillors will debate the Burleigh Heads Business Centre Place Making Plan at a planning committee meeting on Thursday.
Key precinct features proposed include:
● Goodwin Tce will have traffic-calming and improved pedestrian crossings. Additional carparking is placed down from the headland at Rudd Park.
● James St will boast a new formal mid-block pedestrian crossing with build outs to ensure safe, equitable all-access street crossing. Other improvements include an “all-weather arbour with functional art” along with feature lighting, trees and subtropical planting.
● The Esplanade will have street tree planting on the western side for shade, kerb extensions and street print to increase pedestrian amenity in the car park. There will be some changes to on-street parking.
A new report shows community consultation took place from May 6-19. The council received 1372 responses and more than 50 ideas submitted. The top three reasons for visiting the Burleigh Heads precinct were beach-surfing, dining and “being in nature”.
The majority of visitors drove by car, others rode by bike or walked, and most vehicles were parked along The Esplanade.
While all suggested improvements to local parks were strongly supported, there was opposition to remove parking at John Laws Park at Goodwin Terrace.
“John Laws Park saw the highest rate of opposition with 19.02 per cent somewhat or strongly opposed,” a council officer’s report said.
“Parks were identified as the top location for where respondents felt unsafe in Burleigh Heads. Burleigh streets was the second most-cited location followed by car parks, Burleigh Headland and walkways.
“In consideration to when respondents felt unsafe, night-time was the most referenced time of day. Weekends came in second followed by early morning and all the time.”
The officer’s recommendation at this stage is for councillors to note and tick off on the report as planning for Burleigh continues.
A Bulletin poll conducted in May, after the changes first surfaced, attracted 1376 votes. Only 29 per cent supported the car park being replaced by parkland and a toilet block.
“This would be one of the dumbest decisions of all time,” wrote one reader.
Several older residents met to write letters to the council asking for road access to remain for the aged and disabled.
Bruce, 90, who lost his wife Joy to Alzheimer’s disease, recalled driving her to the headland when he became her carer.
“She eventually passed away. Her ashes are now in the ocean and I used to walk to say hello to her almost every day and sit on the seat until a few years ago,” he wrote.
Bruce wrote that the only way up the hill now was for him to drive.
“I find it stressful and difficult to breathe when I try to walk up the hill,” he wrote.
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