the spit, gold coast city, australia tides of change · surfing and diving opportunities are...

Working for our future – today

The Spit, Gold Coast City, Australia

Tides of changeA vision for the future of a unique coastal environmentFinal Draft November 2008

A vision 2

Introduction 5

A growing population

The importance of waterfront open spaces

Why The Spit is unique

Lifestyle and image

An environmental perspective

Then and now 9

History

The Spit today

The benefits of The Spit project

Visions for the future 15

Recreation

Nature

Access and transport

Partnerships 21

Cost Estimate 21

Conclusion 23

Contents

2 Vision for the future – Final Draft November 2008 Vision for the future – Final Draft November 2008 3

A visionThe Gold Coast community has, for many years, shown strong affection for The Spit and a determination to protect this special place.

The Spit will be a world-class, public open space that is celebrated for its precious environmental values, natural beauty and the unique link it provides between people, the ocean, the Broadwater and the mainland.

For the city’s half a million residents, as well as the millions of people who visit the region each year, The Spit offers a different kind of Gold Coast beach experience.

Appreciation and enjoyment of this distinctive and diverse coastal landscape would be increased greatly by better access for pedestrians and bicycle riders and the creation of a low impact ferry and bus transport hub – key features of our vision for The Spit.

It is envisaged the urban parkland area, together with a marine stadium, will cater for a wide range of activities, including major land and water-based events. In other parts of The Spit, however, visitors will find peace and solitude as they wander through picturesque coastal vegetation and landscapes .

Importantly, the environmental values of The Spit also will be protected and enhanced.

The huge potential of this area as an outstanding hub for active recreation for residents and visitors to the Gold Coast demands exceptional standards in the planning, design and delivery of natural, cultural, artistic, transport, marine and adventure features.

Vision for the future – Final Draft November 2008 54 Vision for the future DRAFT September 2008

Surfers, anglers, divers, dog walkers, swimmers, sight-seers, picnickers, jet skiers, tree-planters, star gazers, bushwalkers, runners, cyclists, bird watchers, movie producers, boaties and naturalists – all on any given day, some or all can be found enjoying The Spit’s diverse natural attractions and recreational opportunities.

And the area’s popularity is not confined to daylight hours.

The Spit has the distinction of being the only place on mainland Australia where the sun can be viewed both rising and setting over water. It is no wonder this delightful area is the backdrop to so many different events.

A growing populationRapid and continuing population growth and the consequent expansion of the city’s built environment has made it increasingly imperative to preserve open spaces for relaxation, escape and activity. The following figures show how many people live in, visit and are planning to move to the Gold Coast.

n The population of the Gold Coast is predicted to reach one million within 30 years.

n Last year 17,374 people relocated to the city, making the Gold Coast the fastest-growing local government area in Australia.

n The city hosts 73,000 visitors every day.

n Nature-based tourism research shows 56 per cent of the Gold Coast’s overnight visitors and 30 per cent of day-trippers visit beaches while they are here.

n In an average day almost 3,000 vehicles travel along The Spit’s main road.

Introduction

5.1

4.9

4.7

4.5

4.3

4.1

3.9

3.7

3.5

2007

2023

2015

2031

2009

2025

2017

2033

2013

2029

2021

2037

2011

2027

2019

2035

2039

2008

2024

2016

2032

2010

2026

2018

2034

2014

2030

2022

2038

2012

2028

2020

2036

2040

Number of hectures urban parkland per 1,000 residents (2007-2040)


The importance of waterfront open spacesParks, waterfronts and public spaces provide a place to escape from the built environment; somewhere to regroup, rejuvenate, relax and rest. In an increasingly busy world, where backyards are smaller and working hours are longer, the importance of having somewhere to unwind cannot be underestimated.

Such spaces also play an important social and health role in the community. They give people a place to exercise, cycle, run, walk and play, and somewhere to meet friends and family. Obesity is a growing concern in Australia and governments can assist by providing healthy spaces and activities to encourage people to get out and get moving.

Why The Spit is uniqueThere are only a handful of places on earth where people can enjoy the recreational experiences offered by The Spit. The sandpumping jetty, for example, is one of those rare spots where an angler can cast beyond the breakers – no need to buy or hire a boat – and fishing from the seawall can be equally rewarding.

The views from The Spit are simply magnificent, encompassing the towering high rises of Surfers Paradise to the south, the unspoiled, natural beauty of Federation Walk Coastal Reserve, South Stradbroke Island to the north, and to the east, the rolling surf of the Pacific Ocean.

Surfing and diving opportunities are world-class and visitors to the area pursue a host of land and water-based activities and sports Even canine visitors to The Spit have their own special place in the off-leash area on the ocean beach.

With sensitive and creative development, The Spit truly will be all things to all people, from a place for quiet reflection and nature-based pursuits through to a venue for major events, competitions and markets.

The Spit is supported and protected by strong community groups whose members are committed to preserving the open space and its natural features.

Lifestyle and imageThe natural and lifestyle assets of the Gold Coast are fundamental to the region’s success. To protect the Spit’s unique environment, it is crucial to manage and reduce impacts from visitors to the area. The need to preserve and improve The Spit is fundamentally and symbolically intertwined with the future of the Gold Coast.

An environmental perspectiveIncreased use of The Spit, together with past uses, coastal erosion and deterioration of vegetation, and numerous fires are damaging the area.

Consequently, the quality of the visitor experience is not all that it should and can be.

Funding must be secured to preserve the foreshores; to protect this coastal environment from the fallout of climate change. The best possible outcomes will be achieved through consultation with, and input by, technical advisors, environmentalists, town planners and community groups, and by all levels of government working in partnership with conservation groups, such as the Friends of Federation Walk, in community-based environmental projects.


HistoryThe Spit’s history of human use has been unbroken for 40,000 years. Our recognition and respect for that connection is critical. The area has long been an important meeting place for indigenous people and will continue to be so.

For Europeans the calm waters of The Spit had a stormy start. Before 1900, the waters off the Gold Coast Seaway were a treacherous place and they claimed the sailing ship, the Scottish Prince, in 1885 – the wreck of which still lies 800m from the beach.

In the late 1890s, high tides and gale force winds pummeled and shaped the area, creating a new sea passage between Jumpinpin and Stradbroke Island. The sea continued its assault on the coastline until erosion swallowed up the surveyed township of Moondarewa in 1940.

Industry came to The Spit in 1945 when black mineral mining for ziron and rutile was extended there from the Broadwater. Shortly after, in the early 1950s, key landmarks were built, including The Southport Yacht Club, John Humphrey’s engineering workshop and slipway.

The 1960s saw the establishment of Keith Williams’ Ski Land of Australia, wh Sea World. The 1970s and 80s was a time of great activity, with the stabilization of The Spit via the construction of the Gold Coast Seaway and also the sand bypass system, which pumps about 500,000 cubic metres of sand onto South Stradbroke Island each year. It was also at this time that Fisherman’s Wharf was developed, along with Christopher Skase’s Sheraton Hotel and Marina Mirage.

Then and now


It could be said the storms of public protest that have accompanied all perceived threats to The Spit’s natural beauty since the 1960’s are a reflection of its dramatic and stormy beginnings. The Gold Coast Marine Development Project proposal was redefined without the Cruise Ship Terminal component as the injection of taxpayers funds was too high.

Its most recent history has seen community groups working together with the assistance of a Queensland Centenary of Federation grant, to create a draft Federation Walk Management Plan for the Reserve east of Seaword Drive. Matched funding from the GCCC enabled the creation of a spinal pathway through this area to the Gold Coast Seaway. The revegetation of the area was begun with monthly tree plantings since 2000.

The Spit todayThe Spit takes in a stretch of beach, more than three kilometers in length, which makes up a significant part of the Gold Coast coastline. In recent years, pressure to commercially develop the area has come to a head in the form of proposals for building developments. All proposals for commercial development beyond the Sea Word Resort on The Spit so far have met with widespread, strong community opposition.

New investment into The Spit and its public open spaces north of the Seaworld Resort and east of Seaworld Drive (excluding the Sheraton Hotel complex) will ensure continuing community custodianship of this significant and much-loved area.


The benefits of The Spit projectThe Spit project will support local community and tourism by creating world-class experiences that embrace surfing, diving, fishing, boating, bushwalking and blend environmental and community values with excellent design principles. High quality natural and developed public open spaces provide the Queensland community with significant environmental, social and economic benefits.

Some benefits to resident, visitors and tourist that use The Spit are improvements outlined below.

n A focus on The Spit will lead to greater opportunities for habitat rehabilitation, heritage protection and improved quality of the environment.

n Investing in quality landscapes will give residents a chance to leave a legacy for future generations.

n Development of enhanced interpretive facilities such as: - outdoor education facility - information resource centre - other interpretive resources

n Well-developed parklands are a tourism draw-card. Economic rewards will flow to locals through increased visitor numbers.

n Advantages of the redevelopment would also flow on to the region and the State as a renewed Spit would attract an even bigger slice of the interstate and international tourist markets.

n A wider range of users will be able to access the area.

n The improvements would increase State identity and provide another quality destination for visitors.

n There would be more opportunities for a range of recreational activities and major regional and state events such as:

- jet ski championships - triathalons - marathons - dragon boat competitions - the Great Balloon Race - surf championships

Vision for the future – Final Draft November 2008 15

Visions for the futureVisiting The Spit will be an experience unlike any other area on the Gold Coast. The Spit’s unique identity will be reinforced by gateway treatments, plantings, activities, artwork and cultural interpretations. The gateway area will act as a springboard to the multiplicity of adventures, activities and journeys that will characterise this exceptional public open space.

RecreationWith world-class opportunities for diving, fishing, sight-seeing, surfing and relaxing, The Spit already has much to offer. A revamped Spit would see its landscapes transformed into several different precincts, each with its own cultural, recreational, artistic or natural identity.

These recreational precincts will include:

n a marine stadiumn an urban parkland n Doug Jennings Park

Marine StadiumThe proposed marine stadium would be one of the Gold Coast’s largest outdoor event spaces adjacent to calm coastal water, and would further cement the Gold Coast’s reputation as Australia’s best events destination. It would provide a focus for a wide range of land and water-based events and festivals, and possibly, market days.


Urban parkland The urban parkland area is focused around the Marine Stadium. This five-hectare area will balance with the Federation Walk vegetation to ensure sustainability. The urban parkland, whilst it will be less natural-looking than the Federation Walk, will look more ‘bush-like’ than most traditional, developed parklands. It would feature:

n picnic and barbecue areasn boardwalks and shaded walkwaysn swimming areasn creative performance spacesn temporary staging arean grassy areas and viewing platformsn Indigenous plantings onlyn dedicated fishing and diving access platformsn cycle routesn access to ride the Seaway viewing balloon

at The Spit’s northern-most pointn Broadwater way / Oceanway

Doug Jennings Park Doug Jennings Park would be re-shaped and contoured to enable the area to better accommodate large gatherings, concerts and community events. Significant effort is required to better manage transport to and from large events to reduce impacts on surrounding areas.

Other featuresAdditional features of The Spit will include:

n an educational node with interpretive signage to highlight the shipwreck of the Scottish Prince, sunk in 1887 as well as the township Moondewara, which will also act as a resting spot for people enjoying the Federation and Oceanway walkways

n lookouts, together with art and/or educational material on features of the site, created in ways that minimise their impact on the dune systems

n environmental awareness program will be developed and supported through the information resource centre

NatureOne of the most important aspects will be maintaining The Spit’s connection between people, the land and the sea. The regionally-significant habitat of The Spit is an educational resource and will be the source of on-going seed stock, a place for the community to enjoy what is the last significant dunal area and for important community conservation groups to focus their planting efforts.

Community-led coast and dune care programs will protect, manage and maintain this important natural resource for future generations. Plantings will restore the habitat of the eastern dune system, specimen trees indigenous to South Stradbroke Island will be planted within carparks and exposed areas, and a new wetland will be formed. The wetland will increase biological diversity, provide an environment for migratory birds and provide an interesting habitat through which people on the Federation Walk pathway can wander.

The potential for a coastal annex to the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens will be further explored with a strong focus on education, interpretive information and signage.

To protect the natural values of The Spit, the following methods, management practices and initiatives will be used.

n Fire protection and prevention strategies to benefit the plants and animals of the area.

n Built structures will incorporate environmentally-sensitive design and practice such as:

- solar energy - water harvesting - refuse recycling

n Best-practice, large scale dune restoration will be undertaken in collaboration with the local community.


Access and transportAs more people are going to enjoy The Spit, access must be improved. The intention is to transform the area into a pedestrian-focused environment. This will be achieved through the development of the Oceanway, Broadwater way, Federation Walk and other ways.

n A movement hub of footpaths, bikeways and low impact public transport through the features and destinations of The Spit will encourage people to walk, ride, jog or take ferries, buses and shuttles.

n The realignment of the northern carriageway will act as a tree-lined promenade giving priority to walkers, cyclists and public transport while accommodating other vehicles when required.


Improvements to the Spit will succeed only if the key parties involved work together and commit resources to protect and improve the area. These key parties are the:

n Queensland State Government n Gold Coast City Counciln Gold Coast community

Generally, it is anticipated the community will play a key role in the overall direction of the site’s management with specific attention given to the restoration of the Federation Walk Coastal Reserve.

It is expected that Local and State Governments will be the primary sources of funding for capital improvements and longer term area management, with multiple funding models and arrangements available.

Potential funding sources include:

n returns from developments such as Sea World, the State Government will receive in excess of $80 million over the next 10 years from commercial leases on commercial properties on the Spit

n infrastructure charges – Council’s Priority Infrastructure Plan (PIP) identifies the Spit project

n Council’s general rates – general rates are typically used as a source of funds for maintenance of Council’s open space areas

$ ‘000

Roadworks $4,500

Streetscape $4,290

Oceanway $1,800

Federation walk $1,200

Lookouts / park features $7,200

Saltwater wetland $2,100

Car parking $4,000

Jetty / boat ramp $1,600

Marine stadium $3,500

Information resource centre $3,000

Other buildings $6,050

Amphitheatre / breakwall $8,700

Services / infrastructure $10,500

Revegetation $1,500

Total $59,940,000

Partnerships

Indicative costs


Investment in protecting and improving The Spit will ensure its continuing enjoyment by the Gold Coast’s rapidly-growing population and ever-increasing number of visitors.

We have a duty to encourage, inspire and provide the means for all who take pleasure in this iconic coastal area to enjoy it in ways that minimise their environmental footprint.

Conclusion

(When you’ve) had time to look at your fellow man around you, all of a sudden you realise that self isn’t important, fellow man is, environment is of top rate importance, and between the whole lot you can live in peace and harmony with each other and the environment.Oodgeroo Noonuccal, born Kath Walker (1920-1993) Poet, educator, political activist

To cherish what remains of the Earth and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival. Wendell Berry (1934- ) American author, farmer, conservationist, academic

the spit, gold coast city, australia tides of change · surfing and diving opportunities are...

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