The million dollar waterpark coming to a Gold Coast suburb

A GOLD Coast suburb is set for a massive change as a million dollar waterpark is announced.

Part of the new Nerang swim centre would be based on the Broadwater Parklands Rock Pools.

MILLIONS of dollars will be spent in Nerang on a swim centre, a waterpark similar to the Broadwater rock pools, parklands and on roads in a massive boost for one of the oldest suburbs on the Gold Coast.

Division 5 councillor Peter Young said the projects would be progressed or delivered within the next 12 months and would be funded by whole-of-city projects or his division’s works program.

He said the new water play facility would be built at a cost of $1.3 million with Bischof Park, in the heart of Nerang, earmarked as a possible site.

“Planning work was carried out last year and has continued this year to determine the best location and the features of a new water play park,” he said.

“This facility will be conceptually based on the rock pools at the Broadwater Parklands with free access and the emphasis on low-risk, water fun.”

He said planning work has been slower than anticipated but $100,000 has been secured to finalise a detailed engineering design and $1.3 million was available for construction next year.

“This year, we will also see the complete replacement of our existing learn-to-swim facility at the Nerang Pool — at a cost of $950,000 — and it’s going to be a knockout,” Cr Young said.

“The new enclosed facility will be about 15m by 8m in size and will have ramp access. The water temperature will be 32 degrees C, which is good for swimming and pool-based therapy programs and activities.”

Construction will start in April next year and will take about six months.

In another boost for Nerang, Country Paradise Parklands will get $250,000 to pay for barbecues, ‘nature-play’ playground equipment and a new cafe.

Construction of the Nerang swim centre will start in April next year according to local councillor Peter Young.

Cr Young said a further $358,800 (2019-20) and $729,000 (2020-21) had been allocated for the parkland.

“This is in addition to Division 5 funds, which will benefit environmental works and various clubs within the site,” Cr Young said.

“In the very near future, we will also see $200,000 repairs to the roadways which were impacted by Cyclone Debbie in March last year.”

Cr Young said the park was the only one on the Gold Coast which was managed by a community association and was home to various local groups such as Nerang Riverkeepers, Nerang Men’s Shed, Healing Hooves Inc, Nerang Community Gardens, Nerang Sheilas Shack Inc., Family Support Group.

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He said local roads would also get a significant overhaul with a massive rebuild of Mortensen Rd at a cost of more than $1.4 million and other road upgrades would be carried out on Nerang roads at a total cost of nearly $1.2 million.

The suburb was also on track to get improved linkages across the Nerang River, which would boost the local economy.

“A lot of work has been done in the past two years on safety studies, geotech, slope stability, surveying, conceptual design and so on,” he said.

“We finally have a preferred location for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge from Bischof Park to Birmingham Park.

“A detailed design will be progressed this coming year. It’s a very exciting prospect and will offer a great boost to the linkages from Nerang eastwards and also the economic performance of the town centre,” Cr Young said.