The
Gold Coast Oceanway is a
foreshoreway along
Gold Coast beaches. The Gold Coast Oceanway is a shared use
pedestrian and
cyclist pathway on the
Gold Coast connecting the
Point Danger lighthouse on the
NSW and
Queensland border to the
Gold Coast Seaway. The network includes 36
km of poor, medium and high quality pathways.
Seachange Growth
Many new people are moving to coastal areas seeking
seachange lifestyles.
Tourist numbers for major coastal areas are also growing increasing the need for
sustainable coastal tourism. Seachange growth poses challenges for
coastal management.
Oceanway investment is an example of a
sustainable transport program that aims to increase the
modal share of non private vehicle movements along an
oceanway. A key goal of the
Gold Coast Shoreline Management Plan is to reduce the average coastal
footprint for visitors to the
coast so that beach experiences remain an
active and healthy part of the average person's
lifestyle as coastal
communities grow.
Social Issues
Social issues associated with oceanway investment include
equity,
disability and
CPTED. As
city's 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 conern 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 attacts additional people to visit 'their' beach (known as Fortress Coast attitudes). Due to local opposition, its 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 the following;
- 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
- equitable access
Gold Coast Oceanway Sections
The 'Gold Coast Oceanway' includes a number of different sections including
Travel times and distances for walking journeys along the Gold Coast Oceanway have been calculated.
There are viewing platforms at popular outlooks all along the Oceanway that are accessible for people with a disability and the entire route is serviced by Surfside Buses.
Logo
The Gold Coast Oceanway Logo is made up of a number of elements including
- Blue ocean waves
- Golden sand along the beaches
- Green dunes along the coast
- Cyclist (viewed from above)
- The Gold Coast Oceanway laid out as a journey alongside the dune area
- Two pedestrians of different ages (viewed from above)
- Family group moving together
- The Oceanway website for more information
Gold Coast Oceanway 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 km Gold Coast Oceanway corridor from
Point Danger to the
Gold Coast Seaway but many sections are narrow and of low quality.
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 works will commence to improve the section of Oceanway between Queensland Avenue and First Avenue
Broadbeach.
Southern Points Oceanway
In September 2008 works will commence on improving the Southern Points Oceanway between
Greenmount and
Bilinga.
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.
Surfers South Oceanway
The Oceanway south of Cavil Mall,
Surfers Paradise travels along the narrow footpath of Garfield and Northcliffe Terraces.
Gold Coast City Council has consulted with the community regarding realigning the Oceanway traffic along the beachfront public road reserve between the highrise buildings and the sand dunes.
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. 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. Its likely that works will commence on paving this section of Oceanway in March 2009.
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.
Awards
The Gold Coast Oceanway has received a number of awards including
- 1998 Award of excellence in Environmental Planning.
- 2001 Community Safety award
- 2003 Healthy Heart award for active lifestyles
- 2004 Queensland award for the Clean Beach Challenge
- 2005 Queensland award for services to the disabled community
- 2007 Gold Coast Urban Design Awards - Helen Josephson award for innovation in Urban Design
- 2008 Featured on Getaway
References
External links
