Mayor Tom Tate and Chairman of the Gold Coast Waterways Authority Gary Baildon unveiled plans for the $10.5 million third stage of the Broadwater Parklands.
Cr Tate said the new parklands area would be world class and a significant Commonwealth Games legacy project.
“ The City has partnered with the Waterways Authority to deliver the next stage of the Broadwater Parklands, which will provide additional event space and parklands for our residents and for the anticipated influx of visitors for the Commonwealth Games ,” said Cr Tate.
“ The Broadwater Parklands will be a key Commonwealth Games venue in 2018 and up to three hectares of new land will be reclaimed to the north of Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.
“ Stage 3 will feature a regional boat ramp and pontoons, new community building, events space and public amenities. Future enhancements could also include new foreshore pathways, children’s playground and youth precinct .
“ The project reinforces the Council’s commitment to creating more jobs, with more than 80 new fulltime equivalent jobs expected to be generated. ”
Waterways Authority Chairman Gary Baildon said the project would provide significant benefits for commercial and recreational boating in the Broadwater.
“ The project will deliver a new 4 lane public ramp facility which will help meet the demand for public ramps across the city and replace the smaller ramp that was closed as a result of redevelopment of the aquatic centre ,” said Mr Baildon.
“ Reclamation works will see more than 100,000 cubic metres of sand dredged from channels within the Broadwater, resulting in improved marine navigation for the boating community. ”
Broadwater Parklands Stage 3 will include new facilities to accommodate the Southport Amateur Fishing Club after the club’s previous home was demolished to make way for the aquatic centre upgrade.
Fishing club president John Ford said the City had worked closely with the club during the transition and members were looking forward to being able to move into the new facility.
“ We are delighted with the proposed new expanded launching ramps and facilities .”
The project will commence in early to mid 2014 and is expected to be completed by April 2015.
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Press Release, October 31, 2013