Southport Broadwater Parklands

The Southport Broadwater Parklands is a project by the Gold Coast City Council. Feedback was provided by the public for the development of a master plan for the Parklands.

The objectives

The objectives of the design have been to:
* Re-connect the Gold Coast central business district with the harbour.
* Celebrate 150 years of Queensland as a separate entity from New South Wales.
* Generate a sense of community, regional identity and celebrate the history of Southport.
* Provide a events space to attract large events such as the Gold Coast Marathon, the Pan Pacific Games, and the World Championship Triathlon.

The process

* 2005/2006 - Background consultation.
* Late 2006 - Draft Master plan developed.
* July/August 2007 - Community consultation on the Draft Master plan.
* August to November 2007 - Design Development by EDAW.
* October 2007 - Discussions with key stakeholders.
* December 2007 - Final Master plan unveiled.
* December 2007 - Contractor (Abigroup) appointed.
* March 2008 - Stage 1 Construction begins.
* Late 2008 to early 2009 - Stage 1 completion.

Stage one

Stage one will see:
*The great pier that extends 100m out into the Broadwater will provide views of Surfers Paradise, The Spit and Southport.
*There will be a events lawn, to host some of the city’s largest events including the Gold Coast Airport Marathon and Carols by Candlelight.
*This will also be a place for a picnic, to kick a ball, toss a frisbee, or simply relax and enjoy the views of the open Broadwater.
*A public stage with an large outdoor screen will be a spot to watch movies.
*The Pavilion building, with a rooftop deck offering elevated views, will have park information, public toilets and showers and bike lockers to encourage commuters to use ‘pedal power’ to travel to and from Southport.
*A new pedestrian crossing will link Nerang Street and the Southport CBD to the parklands in place of the existing underpass.
*Walkways and bridges will encourage exploration of the ‘urban wetland’, an of cascading water and reed-filled ponds that collects, cleans and filters stormwater before it goes into the Broadwater.
*A boulevard of fig trees will provide a shaded space, ideal for farmers’ markets, picnics and summer promenades.
*Coastal casuarinas will shady spots along the shoreline, for family gatherings.
*Unique artwork will be unveiled at the launch of Stage One of the parklands.
*A landscaped car park for approximately 200 vehicles.

External links

* [http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard.aspx?PID=7276 Gold Coast City Council - Redevelopment of the Southport Broadwater Parklands]
* [http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/attachment/communityconsultation/sbp_masterplan2.pdf Southport Broadwater Parklands master plan]
* [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/03/21/1877366.htm ABC News - Council committee backs Southport parklands master plan]