What The Spit survey respondents said about traffic, development, lifestyle and tourism
AN in-depth survey into what we love and hate about The Spit has given some revealing insights. Here’s what locals, tourists and businesses said about traffic, development, lifestyle and tourism.
Gold Coast
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A MAJOR survey into development on The Spit has shown the majority of residents, businesses and tourists support taller buildings on the much-loved piece of land at Main Beach.
Here’s what the respondents said about traffic, development, lifestyle and tourism.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK IN THE COMMENTS
TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC
THE biggest negative about the Gold Coast is the traffic and congestion, and finding a solution remains The Spit’s greatest challenge to retaining its popularity.
The Colmar Brunton surveys found traffic and congestion (55 per cent) rated above crime and safety (18 per cent) along with crowds (14 per cent) as the top three negatives for the Coast.
Tourists remarked more negatively about the traffic (62 per cent) than the locals when surveyed.
Visitors were significantly more likely to perceive traffic and congestion as a deterrent (24 per cent) to tourism compared to others interviewed.
Limited car parking was rated third on the list of reasons for tourists not to visit the Glitter Strip.
Holiday-makers also voiced stronger concerns about limited car parking (14 per cent) compared to residents (9 per cent).
Females were “significantly more likely” to dislike parking costs and the poor parking available, according to the survey sample results.
Among the top five suggestions on how to improve the Broadwater and The Spit, three related to improved transport infrastructure.
Three in five respondents suggested a bridge linking Southport to The Spit would solve the traffic congestion around Main Beach.
“You often are sitting in traffic looking across to the Spit wishing you could just drive a straight line across,” a respondent said.
BROADWATER DEVELOPMENT
OLDER Gold Coast residents are the most aware about proposed developments on The Spit, and the majority of people know about the cruise ship terminal.
Consultants Colmar Brunton found a split — four in 10 people were not favourable to development of the Broadwater while 27 per cent gave strong support.
Those residents in the 55 years and older age group are more likely to be opposed, concerned about the impact of projects on the natural environment and traffic.
About 51 per cent of people surveyed support developments of seven or more storeys, and 78 per cent gave a tick to “one or more taller buildings”.
About 31 per cent suggested it was the responsibility of all stakeholders to share in the funding of supporting infrastructure.
At least one in five surveyed believed it was the sole responsibility of developers to upgrade roads around their project.
Residents acknowledge tourist attractions will bring more entertainment options and help create jobs.
GOLD COAST LIVABILITY
AT least half the tourists who visit The Spit and the Broadwater regard the natural environment as the favourite part of the precinct.
Similarly, residents (37 per cent) and businesses (26 per cent) give the green stretch just north of the Surfers Paradise skyline the thumbs up.
Beaches are the next preferred option with a 25 per cent approval rating from tourists.
About one in 10, or 13 per cent, of respondents suggested the Broadwater and The Spit did not require enhancement or changes.
What tourists like include the lack of major development, the parks, marine facilities and “walkability of the community”.
They mentioned the shopping and dining along with the area being family orientated and “clean and open”.
The majority of residents and businesses (87 per cent) commented positively on the livability of the Coast with three in five stating they were “extremely satisfied”.
Older respondents gave the highest score when asked about lifestyle on the Glitter Strip.
While respondents aged 35-54 years provided lower scores, only four per cent voiced concerns about living here.
The three big positives were the beaches (53 per cent), the lifestyle (38 per cent) and the natural environment (34 per cent).
Visitors voiced their concern about the tourist strip being crowded with traffic and congestion (55 cent) along with crime (18 per cent) their major complaints.
TOURISM
THE Gold Coast needs to develop more tourism attractions but there is disagreement between residents, visitors and tourists on how to achieve this.
More than a quarter (26 per cent) of businesses believe tourism numbers will be increased by building a cruise ship terminal or improving the city’s waterways.
This compares to 18 per cent of residents and only one per cent of tourists.
Consultants suggest the poor response rate may be “due to a lack of awareness of the potential for a cruise ship terminal in the Broadwater and Spit area among tourists”.
A feasibility study released by the Gold Coast City Council last month showed its proposed cruise ship terminal on The Spit would bring about $4 billion into the economy over 30 years.
The Colmar Brunton survey for the State Government has found respondents aged 18-34 years believed more development and attractions would increase tourism.
Other ideas include more theme parks, improved roads, dredging of the Broadwater and adding family friendly facilities.
HOW THE SURVEY WAS DONE
STATE Development commissioned independent market research agency Colmar Brunton in January 2016 to undertake research on the Broadwater.
The aim of the study conducted a year later was to get a representative local community view on development at The Spit.
The Palaszczuk Government needs the feedback as decisions are made about the ASF consortium’s integrated resort project and creating a master plan which works for the precinct.
Residents, businesses and visitors from four postcode addresses were surveyed, stretching from Benowa in the south to Paradise Point in the north, including Main Beach and Southport.
Consultants conducted a 15-minute telephone questionnaire with 1500 local residents and 400 businesses and ten-minute intercept interviews with 409 holiday-makers.
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