The opportunity to have your say on the latest SURFERS PARADISE REVITALISATION CONCEPT DESIGN closes tonight. The report says “Cavill Mall is ready for its new future.”
The survey takes about two minutes to tap negative, neutral or positive emojis to a few questions. There’s also a Pinterest-style ideas board which is the most engaging part. You can add words and pictures, read and even like or add to others’ comments.
Gold Coast Bulletin 31 October 2019
It was the previous proposal and public consultation in November 2019 that prompted me to write the opinion piece “THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT SURFERS PARADISE” which was an attempt to explain how the faults and deficiencies of Surfers Paradise are complex, yet the solutions can be quite simple, with a focus on making the precinct green, clean and connected.
This new proposal is even less ambitious. It addresses only a segment of The Esplanade, Cavill Mall and Cavill Avenue. As an urban design concept it is cosmetic - like a facelift. It tinkers around the edges. One of the Ideas Board contributors said, “the design does not match the words in the report. I read lush and lofty. I see concrete and bland.”
The proposed Place Vision states the aim of ‘rekindling a love by locals’ but the strategies don’t really resolve the combined matters that repel Gold Coasters from regularly visiting and participating in the activity of Surfers Paradise. It asks us to ‘re-imagine the journey between the river and the beach’ but the landscape design plans for Cavill Avenue stop short at Ferny Avenue and don’t present a safe crossing to the riverside park.
Page 48 of the report indicates funding commitment of $40m for only Stage 1A - Cavill Mall over five years 2023-2028. I read delay and then the disruption during construction and the more I think about the inadequacies of this revitalisation proposal, the bigger they get. Hopefully some of the Ideas Board contributions will help the councillors to see that this concept is half-baked and lacking key ingredients. The plans don’t match the Place Strategies. It needs more work.
Deep-planted trees that will grow to give shade are the most important ingredient. I dream of lush green avenues, and also pockets of rainforest. We know from the council’s own ‘Surfers Paradise Rainforest’ report 2005, that rainforest ecosystems can be established in our climate if given the right ground conditions and treatment. I can think of various locations that would be suitable for a trial pocket of rainforest.
Hong Kong Design District
Colour can also enhance vibrancy. At the moment, I can’t get past thinking about the epic installation by Craig and Karl which has enlivened a small public space in the Hong Kong Design District, but there are endless ways to use colour as a background for fun and excitement - which is what Surfers has been famous for (pardon the preposition).
The trial mall pictured in the 1978 postcard, with potted plants and painted pavement introduced greenery and vibrancy, and you can bet that didn’t cost even a fraction of today’s equivalent of $40M.
#takemebacktothefuture