Surfers Paradise Cavill Mall redevelopment no fix argues Richard Holliday

OPINION: An ex-Schoolies boss has argued why the Gold Coast just can’t get it right on visitor magnet and party hub Surfers Paradise - no matter how much money it throws at the place.

With regards to Glitter Strip 2.0 (GC Bulletin, January 25), the reality is somewhat different on the ground when it comes to Surfers Paradise.

I’ve lived and breathed this destination for nearly 20 years (once managed it and ran Schoolies in 2007) and I have witnessed its decline each and every year while those in power refuse to acknowledge the long-term decay and continue to throw money at the destination every few years without addressing the underlying issue.

Where does Surfers Paradise fit in the city’s economy and social experiences and how do we change the opinion that many hold of Surfers Paradise, especially the 700,000 residents living on the Gold Coast.

The idea of shopping or dining in Surfers Paradise passed decades ago when the City Plan allowed for major shopping centres all across the city and the designer brand outlets left Surfers Paradise en masse.

They left because the destination had declined and they saw the writing on the wall. We have some outstanding restaurants and bars in every suburb across the city and a five-star restaurant precinct in Broadbeach, so why go to Surfers Paradise?

With almost zero night-time bus transport (east-west), at least the north-south light rail runs frequently as one finds it challenging travelling into Surfers Paradise after dark.

Artist impressions of the redevelopment and revamp of Cavill Mall in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Supplied by Gold Coast City Council.

Today, Surfers Paradise is a wasteland of empty shops, anti-social behaviour, a night time economy that hasn’t been fully embraced by the city and yet another Cavill Mall and Esplanade upgrade costing $100 million (third in 16 years) adding a few new pot plants, headlands off the Esplanade with a couple of umbrellas, trees, new pavers and a coat of paint here and there. Oh by the way try finding a safe, clean public toilet in Surfers Paradise day or night especially if you’re female?

We have the Surfers Paradise Surf Club on the Esplanade looking more like a cheap cafeteria than a must-visit destination on one of the experience strips in Australia overlooking the beach. The club had three facelifts in the past years, unfortunately they have missed the mark.

Surfers Paradise Boulevard is littered with dollar shops, tacky souvenirs and zero street appeal while the Orchid Avenue nightclub strip is a filthy, cigarette-littered disgusting relic from the early 2000s with nothing to convince tourists to venture down the street and spend a few dollars.

The last time we (four of us) were in the area was years ago and the doorman at the Hilton Hotel advised us not to go into Orchid Avenue (blocked the door actually) due to its post-midnight unruly behaviour. We went to Broadbeach for late-night drinks.

Artist impressions of the redevelopment and revamp of Cavill Mall in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Supplied by Gold Coast City Council.

So where to from here? We have the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics and currently the new Queensland Government is writing a 20-year tourism strategy. They get top marks for this imitative that will address the macro issues however it won’t have a direct on-ground impact on destinations like Surfers Paradise.

Why not work with landlords, major retailers, restaurateurs, the entertainment sector and the established businesses and develop a plan to attract new tenants and consider offering a range of incentives, such as rates and water reductions on buildings requiring significant facelifts, provide a 6am am to midnight cleaning service on Orchid Avenue, Cavill Mall and the Esplanade and enforce litter regulations adjacent to the many fast food outlets in the precinct etc.

Richard Holliday: “They get top marks for this imitative that will address the macro issues however it won’t have a direct on-ground impact on destinations like Surfers Paradise.” Picture: Regi Varghese

Consider a change to the Gold Coast City Plan (not as though it’s perfect) to allow a different use for the near 60-plus vacant shops and hundreds of offices in Surfers Paradise.

In regards to public safety, there needs to be an increased effort in the precinct to reduce the testosterone driven behaviour that results in many people being intimidated (mainly young women) forcing them to leave Surfers Paradise instead of staying, spending money and enjoying themselves.

The first step is to acknowledge the challenges facing Surfers Paradise and not ignore them for the next two decades and stop throwing money at destination facelifts without changing the reason the Surfers Paradise precinct exists, the perceptions, behaviours, outcomes and lastly providing memorable experiences.