Spit master plan secrets revealed as State Government releases snapshot of future

THE Spit master plan options report is about to be released. What is protected, what is developed after almost a year of community consultation?

Ella Proctor 14,(with camera) with sisters Abbey Proctor 10(left) and Lucy Proctor 7 (right), photographing what they like about the Seaway area. Picture: Glenn Hampson

THE Spit master plan options report to be released today will strike a balance between protecting a “green peninsula” and breathing new life into its ageing commercial heart.

But the big surprise will be protecting the existing low rise height limit north of Main Beach.

“It is proposed as a three-storey height limit for across The Spit,” a government source said.

Fourteen months after the Government announced the master planning process, the options report is being released for public comment.

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

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A further master planning workshop in early December to consider this information and focus on the preparation of the draft master plan proposed to be released for public comment early next year.

The options report will recommend:

• Extending the current village centre to the north and the south to include a potential Aboriginal cultural hub, and reconfiguring the fishing trawler and seafood market section.

• A new continuous boardwalk and pathway link along the Broadwater edge to the northern end.

• A substantial new opportunity for mixed-use development on the doorstep of Sea World including more accommodation and a multi-level car park adding a piazza-style element.

State Development Minister Cameron Dick said that as part of the master planning process, an environmental study had identified The Spit’s role as a “green oasis” for the Coast.

“Many people automatically associate the words ‘master plan’ with loss of natural

habitat, but this simply isn’t the case,” Mr Dick told the Bulletin.

“The Spit master plan will look at ways to enhance existing ecosystems, leveraging

green infrastructure and water-sensitive approaches to protect the environmental

values of the land and sea.”

Suggestions at The Spit master planning sessions on the Gold Coast.

Six big-picture elements that had been identified from feedback were:

• Promoting tourism and recreation – making more of The Spit as a destination.

• Growing a green peninsula – enhancing natural attributes of The Spit.

• Making places and cultural connections – improving the quality of public

spaces, celebrating history and culture.

• Opening the gateway to the world – promoting The Spit for world-class

maritime activities.

• Connecting to the city – providing for and managing travel to and from Main Beach.

• Linking experiences – enhancing pedestrian and cycle access throughout the area.

Mr Dick said each of the big-picture elements addressed an aspect of the master plan

that needed to be considered.

“A suite of master plan options will be released later this month for all local

community members and visitors alike to comment on,” he said.

The Spit master plan sessions on the Gold Coast.

Friends of Federation Walk president Lyn Wright said the master plan was vital for

maintaining green space north of Surfers Paradise.

“A long-term plan for The Spit is important as it will protect the area from vegetation

lost over time,” Ms Wright said.

“That’s why the community has been working together to create this plan for the

benefit of everyone who visits The Spit.”

Consultants conducted 17 pop-up engagement sessions since the master planning process began last year.

Two master planning workshops, online surveys and social media engagement also provided researchers with 3000 pieces of feedback, which the Government rated a “huge response” from residents.