Society & Culture Gold Coast CBD/Inner City Watch

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Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
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Experimental, I've mentioned the possibility of a CBD stadium on the Gold Coast before and this picture below shows how ideal the old hospital site would be. You can see the tram stop to the left of the photo and it's definitely big enough to house a large 40-50k seat stadium. Hell, it's probably big enough to add training facilities along with the large stadium. It won't happen because it's going to be turned into a large shopping centre or something along those lines but it's definitely a missed opportunity. It's not everyday large parcels of CBD land like this go on sale to the public.

PtgZric.jpg
 

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Norm Smith Medallist
May 20, 2012
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It's a real shame that such a great piece of land will go towards something other than a CBD stadium, but I suppose it was always going to happen.

The next best thing to hope for would be lots of development around the current Carrara precinct. Shops, apartments, a light rail link, pubs, etc. Fingers crossed.


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Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
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I forgot to post this one yesterday. This article in the Bulletin suggested the Cienna proposal in Southport is likely to get the thumbs up from council soon and will be taller than the Q1. It will be great for the CBD to have a super tall and an added bonus is that it is actually located inside the Chinatown precinct. Asian restaurants and alleyways are planned for the ground level of this one.

HAlhYcR.jpg
 

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Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
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I think you'd be very interested in this Experimental. This article says the State Government is waiting for a major health group or university to put forward a bid on the old Gold Coast Hospital site. I'd really like to see UQ bid and build a Gold Coast CBD campus. The site is massive so there is plenty of potential.
 
Must admit having lived in Southport and worked in Surfers (albeit for just 3 weeks) I always assumed Surfers was the de-facto CBD of the Gold Coast and Southport was like a mini-CBD
 

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Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
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Must admit having lived in Southport and worked in Surfers (albeit for just 3 weeks) I always assumed Surfers was the de-facto CBD of the Gold Coast and Southport was like a mini-CBD
I don't think you would be the only person to say that. Everything really changed when the State Government classed Southport as a Priority Development Area and removed height limits. That's when people began to refer to Southport as the CBD and the Mayor moved his office from Bundall to the Town Hall in Southport. It was around that time that the Mayor told the media that Southport had always been the traditional CBD of the Gold Coast, it's just now it has official recognition from the State Government. Now you'll often see the Gold Coast Bulletin referring to that area of Southport as the CBD.

It's really a work in progress. The Southport CBD skyline will be far more impressive in 10 years time.
 
Oct 24, 2008
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Experimental, I've mentioned the possibility of a CBD stadium on the Gold Coast before and this picture below shows how ideal the old hospital site would be. You can see the tram stop to the left of the photo and it's definitely big enough to house a large 40-50k seat stadium. Hell, it's probably big enough to add training facilities along with the large stadium. It won't happen because it's going to be turned into a large shopping centre or something along those lines but it's definitely a missed opportunity. It's not everyday large parcels of CBD land like this go on sale to the public.

PtgZric.jpg

Surely with Australia Fair around the corner (eye sore that it is) they wont turn this into a shopping centre, a stadium would be awesome even if it is a Bball stadium.

Its probably to far back from the water to be a residential tower but and a commercial tower could work
 
Oct 24, 2008
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Must admit having lived in Southport and worked in Surfers (albeit for just 3 weeks) I always assumed Surfers was the de-facto CBD of the Gold Coast and Southport was like a mini-CBD

To me, Surfers is the Fortitude Valley of the GC, its all about party and night life

Personally I can't stand the place. Give me Broady to Coolly any day
 
To me, Surfers is the Fortitude Valley of the GC, its all about party and night life

Personally I can't stand the place. Give me Broady to Coolly any day
Southport is definitely the Woodridge/Inala of the GC ;)

If I move back to the GC I'd plan on living in Helensvale
 

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Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
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Surely with Australia Fair around the corner (eye sore that it is) they wont turn this into a shopping centre, a stadium would be awesome even if it is a Bball stadium.

Its probably to far back from the water to be a residential tower but and a commercial tower could work
The State appears to be pushing for a university campus on the old hospital site. I think that would bring more people into the CBD than another residential tower and it opens the door for student accommodation. I like the idea of a university in the CBD. There are plenty of other sites in the CBD boundaries to put residential/commercial towers that are closer to the broadwater.
 

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Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
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Do you know which Uni? I suppose it doesn't matter as all would be welcome but with Griffith (medical) around the corner) something in the Engineering arena would be good.
No details have been released so we don't know if any university has shown interest. I just know it was reported the other day that the State Gov had a preference for a university campus. The report also mentioned a possible health institution but I think that would be a waste of land considering the health precinct just down the road at Griffith is top notch. Apparently potential buyers of the site have also been lowballing the State Government. I'd really like to see the University of Queensland start a Gold Coast CBD campus. That would be my preference.
 

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Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
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A few things.

Southport''s $2.5 billion building boom
SOUTHPORT is at the centre of a $2.5 billion development boom, with city leaders saying it is just the beginning.

New Gold Coast City Council figures released this morning show there have been 47 development applications lodged for Southport since 2013 when the historic suburb officially became the city’s CBD and was named a Priority Development Area.

This article shows the CBD is kicking along nicely. Interestingly, a few of the projects that are under construction have already sold every apartment available. The demand is there which is crucial to a successful CBD. It just seems the bubble is getting bigger and bigger and isn't going to burst. City leaders think this is just the beginning of investment in the Southport CBD and I have to think they are right. I can't see things backing off until at least the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games. Everyone seems to want a piece of the Gold Coast right now. Funnily enough, the Commonwealth Games had a very similar impact on the Brisbane CBD. The revitalisation that took place in the Brisbane CBD leading up to the '82 Games was enormous and we're seeing a similar outcome on the Gold Coast.

Direct flights from Gold Coast-Hong Kong coming soon
THE Gold Coast is set for a new influx of cashed-up visitors with new direct flights to Hong Kong to be unveiled today.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones last night confirmed Hong Kong Airlines would begin a link with the Coast early next year.

Direct flights to China are coming next month and now direct flights to Hong Kong are coming early next year. This is obviously a big deal for the city and should promote more development in Southport. The AQUIS casino project for the Sheraton Mirage site (just over the Broadwater from the CBD) was of course proposed by a Hong Kong billionaire so that may have something to do with this. Anyway, it's great for the city.
 

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Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
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Gold Coast Casino and resort project at Main Beach gets planning nod from Queensland Government
Planning has started on a multi-million-dollar casino and resort development on the Gold Coast with the project getting an initial nod from the Queensland Government.

International group ASF Consortium had originally wanted to build a resort and cruise ship terminal at Wavebreak Island, but had to go back to the drawing board when Labor took power this year.

State Development Minister Anthony Lynham announced this morning that the ASF consortium will be allowed to start planning instead on state-owned land next to Sea World at Main Beach.

The cruise ship terminal will not go ahead.

ASF will be again required to submit a detailed proposal for the new site, which covers about five hectares.

The resort will be one of Queensland's biggest urban renewal projects, which will include entertainment, retail, hotel, unique leisure, cultural, residential and outdoor components.

A group who fought against the plans has questioned the Government's approval for the similar project at the Southport Spit.

Save Our Spit Alliance president Steven Gration said his group is not opposed to an entertainment precinct on that land but is surprised other consortia were invited to tender for the site.

"I'd like to see the cost benefit analysis the jobs analysis the economic benefit analysis the social implications of having a second casino on the Gold Coast, I would like to see a lot more detailed reporting about all the effects of that," he said.

Dr Lynham said the site was part of the original land parcel released for the development of an integrated resort development in 2013.

"I know that the Gold Coast has been waiting on this news, but it's been important to get this right," he said.

"The Government has delivered on its election commitment to protect Wavebreak Island and this valuable natural asset for generations to come.

"ASF Consortium is the sole proponent for the integrated resort development process and we've been working hard to keep this process moving for the jobs and economic boost it will bring the Coast."

The next stage of the process is for the Government to issue a request for detailed proposal to outline requirements and timeframes, with ASF Consortium expected to respond with a detailed master plan proposal in the first quarter of 2016.

ASF Group chairman Min Yang said the project was a significant opportunity for the Gold Coast and tourism in Queensland, and demonstrated the Government's commitment to job creation.

"The integrated resort will include world-class entertainment, gaming, performing and visual arts, retail, hotel, unique leisure, cultural, residential and outdoor pursuits – creating an offering unlike any other on the Gold Coast," she said.

As usual, the critics have come out of the woodwork for this one. So basically the plan is to build a resort & casino right next to Sea World on this land:

Bz6xquI.png


Not a huge parcel of land but there is always the option to extend over the road in the future with an overpass connecting the two buildings like Crown Casino in Melbourne. If this goes ahead, it's only a matter of time before the light rail is extended up that way.
 

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Norm Smith Medallist
May 20, 2012
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If this goes ahead, it's only a matter of time before the light rail is extended up that way.
Big casino consortiums are always interested in methods of increasing patronage. They'd surely offer to cover some of the costs of extending the light rail up Seaworld Drive. Perhaps Seaworld would too
 

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Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
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Big casino consortiums are always interested in methods of increasing patronage. They'd surely offer to cover some of the costs of extending the light rail up Seaworld Drive. Perhaps Seaworld would too
I'd say there is a very good chance that will happen. It could become a nice little off shoot from the main line, up through the affluent Tedder Avenue and all the way to Sea World. It would likely get Tedder Avenue pumping again which is a good thing for the city. It would also mean both Gold Coast casinos would be linked by the light rail. There is also the option to build a ferry terminal given the site faces the Broadwater.
 

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Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
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A bit of an idea of what CBD Broadwater views will look like one day. You can see the Gold Coast Highway, Broadwater Parklands, sand on the Broadwater to create a man made beach, the Broadwater, the Marina Mirage/Spit area, Sea World, Main Beach and the Pacific Ocean.

t07vuOC.jpg
 

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Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
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Just a bit of an idea of what the Gold Coast CBD will look like in the future:

Z0hWOnH.jpg
 

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Norm Smith Medallist
Apr 12, 2007
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I decided to change the title of this thread to the CBD/Inner City watch because there is way too much going on in Surfers Paradise to not share in this thread. Just so we're clear, inner city suburbs of the Gold Coast include Labrador, The Spit, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Bundall and to a lesser extent Broadbeach. Now on to the projects underway/proposed for Surfers Paradise. Ruby officially began construction today. Here it is:




http://www.rubygoldcoast.com.au/

It's broken into four stages and you can see the first two stages in the videos above. I would say the real selling point of the project is the second stage tower that will stand 60st/188m. But it's so much more than just a tall tower. The plans seem to show it will almost become a precinct like the Circle on Cavill area:

gDikWZr.jpg


sWGOEwY.jpg


lvcr7CB.jpg


Once completed, it will be the 5th tallest building on the Gold Coast. It is located just one block from a tram station so that's obviously desirable.
 
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