Gold Coast Coastal Cycle Route

As of 2014 the Gold Coast City Council no longer has an Oceanway Policy

The Gold Coast Oceanway was a policy on hard infrastructure foreshoreway along dunes Gold Coast, Queensland. The Gold Coast Oceanway is a shared use pedestrian and cyclist pathway on the Gold Coast, connecting the Point Danger lighthouse on the New South Wales and Queensland border to the Gold Coast Seaway. The network includes 36 kilometres (22 mi) of poor, medium and high quality pathways.

This came after severe erosion from Cyclone Oswald washed away and damaged millions in beachfront infrastructure and oceanway paths.

Social issues

Social issues associated with oceanway investment include equity, disability and crime prevention (CPTED). As cities grow, the value of coastal property increases and fewer people can afford to live near the beach. As cities grow even larger the carparks along the beach start to overflow and roads leading to coastal areas become increasingly congested.

One growth model is just to keep expanding the size of carparks whenever they get full, leading to concern about 'paving paradise' as expressed in the song "Big Yellow Taxi".

Another growth model is that beach experiences become increasingly enjoyed by only richer people as the average person cannot afford to overcome the congestion and property value barriers of visiting the beaches as a regular part of their lifestyle. Often local resident groups oppose investment that attracts additional people to visit 'their' beach (known as fortress coast attitudes). Due to local opposition, it is often necessary for a brave politician to champion the cause before a commitment is made to invest into higher capacity foreshore areas. An example is Jim Soorley who championed the cause of the Riverwalk for Brisbane.

Foreshoreway standards

The Gold Coast City Council has developed standards for major foreshoreways including the 'Gold Coast Oceanway'. The standards include chapters about landscaping, connectivity, visual analysis, safety risk assessment and CPTED, width, geometry, construction materials, finishes and colour, path jointing detailing, line marking, intersections and crossing treatments, lighting, signage, furniture, public art, vegetation, and equitable access.

Sections

The 'Gold Coast Oceanway' includes a number of different sections [1] including

Travel times and distances for walking journeys along the Gold Coast Oceanway have been calculated.[3]

There are viewing platforms at popular outlooks all along the Oceanway that are accessible for people with a disability [4] and the entire route is serviced by Surfside Buses.

The Gold Coast Oceanway logo is made up of a number of elements including

Community bike hire scheme

On Saturday 23 January 2009, Gold Coast City Council advertised for the supply of community bike hire services [5] along the Gold Coast Oceanway between the Broadbeach and Rainbow Bay SLSCs. Although a few submissions were received, Council did not award a contract. Reasons included significant gaps in the Oceanway network (Surfers South) and a desire to evaluate the success of the citycycle scheme in Brisbane.

Investment program

The Gold Coast City Council has a program to invest into the quality and capacity of the Gold Coast Oceanway. It is already possible to enjoy walking and cycling along the full 36 kilometres (22 mi) Gold Coast Oceanway corridor from Point Danger to the Gold Coast Seaway but many sections are narrow and of low quality.[6]

Palm Beach Parklands Oceanway

In March 2008 works commenced on the Palm Beach Parklands including a new upgraded section of Oceanway between Lacey's Lane and Tarrabora Reserve.

Mirage to Seaworld Oceanway

In July 2008 a new section of Oceanway pavement was completed between the Sheraton Mirage Hotel and Seaworld on The Spit.

Broadbeach North Oceanway

In June 2008, funding from the innovative Wave highrise building in Broadbeach allowed completion of the Oceanway between Kurrawa Parklands and First Avenue, Broadbeach.

Southern Points Oceanway

In September 2008 works commenced on improving the Southern Points Oceanway between Greenmount and Bilinga. In 2009 the Oceanway was completed between Kirra Point and North Kirra and in 2010 the Oceanway was extended up to Bilinga SLSC.

Realignment proposals

There are many places where a realignment of the Oceanway traffic routes from the landward side of beachfront buildings to the beachfront itself would allow a superior pavement to be constructed. Beachfront residents are concerned that opening up the public land between their houses and the beach will detract from enjoyment of their property, citing in particular CPTED and coastal erosion concerns.

TD23A Palm Beach Oceanway

Gold Coast City Council is considering proposals to invest into the quality and capacity of the Gold Coast Oceanway at northern Palm Beach.[7] A controversial area is the TD23A Oceanway between Tallebudgera Drive and 23rd Avenue. The current route for pedestrians is along the busy Gold Coast highway. A new pavement is proposed for the dune front area. Residents who currently enjoy beach front property are concerned about CPTED. In 2009, Council resolved to put construction of this section of the Oceanway on hold due to the opposition of beachfront property owners.

FERO Flat Rock to Elephant Rock Oceanway

Opening up public access along the beachfront between Flat Rock and Elephant Rock Currumbin has been debated in the community for over a decade. There has been petitions both in support and opposition to opening the public road reserve along the beach so the public can walk along the dunes. The Friends of Currumbin have been quoted in the Sun Newspaper as in support of the public's right of access to the road reserve. Local beachfront property owners are lobbying politicians to ensure the road reserve remains for their exclusive beachfront enjoyment. Opponents to public access along FERO have submitted a formal legal injunction that questions the right of local government to allow people to walk along a public road reserve. In 2010 the FERO section of Oceanway was completed as a turf walkway.


Awards

The Gold Coast Oceanway has received a number of awards including

References

  1. ↑ "Gold Coast Oceanway Map" (PDF). Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  2. ↑ Tugun Oceanway
  3. ↑ Oceanway Ready Reckoner
  4. ↑ Access Gold Coast
  5. ↑ Gold Coast Community Bike Hire Archived June 9, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ Golden Trail
  7. ↑ TD23A Oceanway
  8. ↑ Clean Beach Challenge
  9. ↑ Urban Design Awards 2007
  10. ↑ Channel #9 Getaway 2008
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