Southport Broadwater Parklands
Encyclopedia
The Southport Broadwater Parklands is a master-planned project on the Gold Coast
, opened by the Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh
, on 23 August 2009.
In 2005 and 2006, the Queensland Government and the Gold Coast City Council began background consultation for the redevelopment of the parklands. By late 2006 a draft
master plan was developed. Throughout July and August 2007 community consultation was held on the draft master plan. From August to November 2007 design development took place by EDAW. After some discussions with key stakeholders in October 2007, the final master plan was released in December. The contractor, Abigroup was appointed shortly after. Construction of stage 1 began in March 2008. After close to one and a half years construction, the Southport Broadwater Parklands opened on 23 August 2009. Construction of stage 2 began shortly after the opening of stage 1 and was completed by the end of 2010.
The Queensland Government and Gold Coast City Council invested over $42 million on stage 1 of the redevelopment of the Southport Broadwater Parklands. The main objectives of the design were to:
only two stages have been constructed and opened, however, additional development was proposed in the master plan.
Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
, opened by the Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh
Anna Bligh
Anna Maria Bligh is an Australian politician and the Premier of Queensland since 2007. The 2009 Queensland state election was the first time a female-led political party won or retained state or federal government in Australia...
, on 23 August 2009.
History
The Southport Broadwater Parklands was first declared a public space in November 1928. At the time the area featured a pier and a series of enclosed public baths. Over several years the original pier deteriorated and was eventually removed. In the 1960s the Southport Pool was constructed.In 2005 and 2006, the Queensland Government and the Gold Coast City Council began background consultation for the redevelopment of the parklands. By late 2006 a draft
Draft document
Drafting is the preliminary stage of a written work in which the author begins to develop a more cohesive product. A also describes the product the writer creates in the initial stages of the writing process.In the drafting stage, the author:...
master plan was developed. Throughout July and August 2007 community consultation was held on the draft master plan. From August to November 2007 design development took place by EDAW. After some discussions with key stakeholders in October 2007, the final master plan was released in December. The contractor, Abigroup was appointed shortly after. Construction of stage 1 began in March 2008. After close to one and a half years construction, the Southport Broadwater Parklands opened on 23 August 2009. Construction of stage 2 began shortly after the opening of stage 1 and was completed by the end of 2010.
Redevelopment
- Re-connect the Gold Coast central business districtCentral business districtA central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
with the Gold Coast BroadwaterGold Coast BroadwaterThe Gold Coast Broadwater, also known as Southport Broadwater and Gold Coast Harbour, is a large shallow estuary of water reaching from the locality of Southport to the southern section of the World Heritage Listed Moreton Bay along the eastern coast of Australia...
. - 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 SouthportSouthport, Queensland-Sport:The Southport Sharks Australian rules football club has a presence in the area, including a club and function centre.-Transport:The Broadwaterway is a foreshoreway that encourages pedestrians and cyclists to travel along the Broadwater foreshores of Southport.A ferry terminal is planned for...
. - Provide an events space to attract large events such as the Yugambeh Corroboree Food, Art and Language Festival, Gold Coast MarathonGold Coast MarathonThe Gold Coast Marathon is an annual marathon race in the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, which was first run in 1979....
, the Pan Pacific Games, the World Championship Triathlon, and the 2018 Commonwealth Games2018 Commonwealth GamesThe 2018 Commonwealth Games is an international multi-sport event that will be held on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia between 4 to 15 April 2018...
.
only two stages have been constructed and opened, however, additional development was proposed in the master plan.
Stage 1
Construction of stage 1 began in March 2008. After close to one and a half years construction, the Southport Broadwater Parklands opened on 23 August 2009. It included:- The great pier that extends 100m out into the Broadwater provides views of Surfers Paradise, The Spit and Southport.
- The events lawn, hosts some of the city’s largest events including the Gold Coast Airport Marathon and Carols by Candlelight.
- There is also places 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 a large outdoor screen provides a spot to watch movies.
- The Pavilion building, with a rooftop deck offering elevated views, has park information, public toilets and showers and there will be bike lockers to encourage commuters to use ‘pedal power’ to travel to and from Southport.
- A new pedestrian crossing links Nerang Street and the Southport CBD to the parklands in place of the existing underpass.
- Walkways and bridges 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 provides a shaded space, ideal for farmers’ markets, picnics and summer promenades.
- Coastal casuarinas provide shady spots along the shoreline, for family gatherings.
- Unique artwork was unveiled at the launch of Stage One of the parklands.
- There is a landscaped car park for approximately 200 vehicles.
Stage 2
Construction of stage 2 began shortly after the opening of stage 1 and was completed by the end of 2010. It included:- Rockpools - a coastal themed environment featuring a variety of water activities
- The Hill - a 4150 sqm lawn with a 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) high fibreglass scuplture of a child and her teddy bear
- ANZAC Park - the relocation of the existing memorial to a new location overlooking the BroadwaterGold Coast BroadwaterThe Gold Coast Broadwater, also known as Southport Broadwater and Gold Coast Harbour, is a large shallow estuary of water reaching from the locality of Southport to the southern section of the World Heritage Listed Moreton Bay along the eastern coast of Australia...
- Viewing Platform
- Operations Hub - for maintenance staff
- Picnic Space - landscaped area featuring barbecues
Future development
The final master plan detailed a number of other developments that have yet to take place. These include:- the relocation of the Gold Coast HighwayGold Coast HighwayThe Gold Coast Highway in Queensland, Australia links the coastal suburbs of the Gold Coast. 33 km in length, the highway passes through popular tourist resorts such as Southport, Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads and Currumbin...
to run alongside Australia Fair Shopping CentreAustralia Fair Shopping CentreLocated in Southport Queensland, Australia Fair Shopping Centre is the major shopping centre in the administrative centre of the Gold Coast. It includes majors such as Coles, Kmart, Woolworths and The Warehouse and over 230 specialty stores. It has two food courts and one overlooks The Broadwater... - the development of an 'Old Shoreline' Water Garden next to the relocated highway
- a station for the Gold Coast Rapid Transit System at the southern end of the parklands
- an extended swimming enclosure