Great Outdoors
Protect our natural assets and enhance our streets, parks, beaches and rivers
Street tree planting
As our built environment grows, every opportunity to green the city through tree planting in streets and open spaces is needed to support the beauty of our city and health of our community. I want to implement a major program of large and small scale tree planting projects throughout the Gold Coast. Let’s transform the Gold Coast Highway into a tree-lined boulevard from Coolangatta to Helensvale. Let’s ensure that shade trees are planted in every street of new housing estates. And let’s plant our parks and street verges and roundabouts with subtropical species that bring back greenery and softness amongst the harsh materials and surfaces of buildings and roads. To kickstart and guide this program, I will set up an independent expert City Greening Taskforce.
Robina Greenheart
Our Merrimac-Carrara floodplain can be a world-class green lifestyle and leisure destination. I want to expand the Robina Parklands project for the health and resilience of our city and community. Let’s save remnant low-lying land for the sake of the rest of the city when Nerang River and Mudgeeraba Creek flood – and take advantage of this central open greenspace as a greenheart for our city.
Rivers connections
We could do much more to care for and connect with our rivers. I want to develop a Riverside Access Strategy and program for development of paths, boardwalks, jetties and platforms that improve public access to enjoy the beauty of our rivers – starting with Nerang and Coomera, and over time, including all of our major rivers and creeks.
Broadwater and The Spit
Let’s get on with implementation of The Spit Masterplan to enhance, protect and take better advantage of this significant part of the Gold Coast’s natural beauty. I want to boost the Friends of Federation Walk planting program and establish the Seaway Promenade, Broadwater Boardwalk, nature trails and wayfinding system. We also need better access – the ferry terminal and extension of the #705 bus route to the seaway could make immediate improvements. I am excited for the centres for Aboriginal Culture and Coastal Ecology, and the Super Yacht facility. I will not support further investigation for a Cruise Ship Terminal at Philip Park or anywhere else. I would rather work on ways to attract cruise ship passengers from Brisbane to spend a day or extend their holidays at the Gold Coast.
Broadbeach Foreshore Lagoon and Parklands
Kurrawa-Pratten Park is one of our great public assets. Let’s realise its landscape potential and make it a destination with a safe swimming lagoon, a skate bowl, coastal gardens and built-in services for a lively program of outdoor events and entertainment.
Surfers renaissance
We must revitalize our most iconic suburb, Surfers Paradise. There are many ways we can work to regain its glory. I would start with a spectacular green square at the top of Cavill Mall. This prime real estate and traditional postcard image of our city has stood neglected for too long. It could be fun and beautiful – a spot that everybody wants to visit.