The hi-tech 47-storey Midwater tower proposed for a Main Beach site overlooking the water

A HI-TECH carpark straight out of Thunderbirds is set to be included in a multi-million beachfront tower proposed for Narrow Neck.

Artist impressions of the proposed Midwater development planned for Narrowneck Surfers Paradise by York Property Holdings. Supplied by Gold Coast City Council

A HI-TECH carpark straight out of Thunderbirds is to be included in a multi-million beachfront tower proposed for Narrow Neck.

The 47-storey Midwater project development is earmarked for a Main Beach Parade site just metres from Main Beach beach with plans to go up – and down, using Gold Coast-first technology.

More commonly seen in Japan or Europe, a fully automated six-storey underground car stacker system is planned for the new high-rise to hold residents’ cars.

According to plans filed with the Gold Coast City Council by developer York Property Holdings, the car stacker system would include three automated lifts accessible from the ground floor to transfer vehicles.

It would have space for 256 cars, with 237 spots for residents and the remaining 19 for visitors

There will be a further two visitor spaces outside the building.

The stacker would be accessible to residents by a stairwell.

The futuristic system, which would likely cost millions to implement, is being considered because of the lack of available space on which to develop.

The project is planned for a 1234sq m site bordering the historic Cable Park, forcing its developers to look at unusual measures.

Council planning boss Cameron Caldwell said the Midwater site had long been derelict and welcomed renewed interest in the land which has sat empty for more than four years.

“In the years following the financial crisis, it is encouraging to see this site is again of interest,” he said.

“These beachfront sites are limited and showcase the best of the Gold Coast.

“We are mindful of the need for sufficient car parking in any new development and are happy to look at solutions such as in this proposal.”

The site was previously home to small low-rise 1960s-era unit block which became derelict in the mid-2000s and was abandoned by 2008.

It was finally demolished in 2012 after becoming a popular haunt for squatters.

The site was previously approved for a 17-storey apartment tower in 2007 but lapsed due to the global financial crisis.

The new proposal is the subject of a development application submitted to the council last week.

According to documents now before council planners, the tower would include 41-levels of residential offerings with 165 units and four levels of communal recreation facilities, including a cinema, pool and billiards room.

State UDIA president Steve Harrison said different solutions were needed to address traffic and parking issues in the city.

“These days, there is a look at bringing in innovative solutions to age-old challenges such as parking and traffic,” he said.

“What I see this doing is providing an alternative solution to an existing challenge and that is how you make a project feasible, if you have a site which is reasonably small in an area which requires a number of car spaces.