Division 14 Update from Cr O'Neill - May 2019

Welcome to the May edition of my monthly Councillor Newsletter for 2019. 

As your Councillor, I am passionate about serving the needs of residents, schools, businesses and community groups within Division 14. My office in Tugun is open Tuesday to Friday between 8.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-4.30pm.

Should you have any community concerns, feedback or suggestions I am available to meet with you. Please contact my office on 07 5581 5275 to arrange an appointment or email me through your request to division14@goldcoast.qld.gov.au. I conduct weekly pop-up listening posts every Friday between 9am-11am at Coolangatta Library so if you are in the area please call in and see me to say hi.

To keep up to date with important Division 14 related works and events ‘like’ my Facebook page or search @gailoneilldivision14.

Local Area Works

Kirra Boardwalk renewal project

The City of Gold Coast will soon be commencing a project to renew the iconic Kirra Boardwalk. Built in 2001, the popular wooden structure is reaching the end of its design life. The renewal project will involve a complete removal of the existing boardwalk and sub-structure, installation of concrete piers and precast architectural finished concrete deck and reinstallation of the existing handrail. This type of structure will improve the load capabilities and ensure the safety of pedestrians. The robust concrete structure will ensure the boardwalk is able to withstand the environmental impacts of the beachfront location, and provide a maximum life span of 100 years. 

Investigation works will be undertaken over several weeks in May 2019. There will be minor pedestrian and cyclist detours during this stage. The renewal project is expected to commence in September 2019. The wooden boardwalk and adjacent footpath will be closed for up to five months during this stage. 

Pat Fagan Park

Works started on the 29 April to install a new picnic setting and shelter at the Northern end of the Park. Three of the exiting red lidded bins will be replaced with permanently fixed bins. These works are due to be completed by 10 June.

Teemangum Street culvert strengthening

Works have commenced on the culvert crossing over Flat Rock Creek, Teemangum Street to grout fill three concrete culvert cells identified as needing intervention as an interim safety measure prior to future bridge works. These works will have minimal impact on traffic, pedestrians and cyclists as the work area is off the trafficable lanes and mainly on the northbound shoulder. Works are due to be completed early May (weather dependent). 

Queen Elizabeth II Park public amenities temporary closure

The public convenience building attached to John Cunningham Lifeguard Centre has been temporarily closed to enable building repairs to be undertaken. Works are estimated to be completed by Friday 10 May (weather permitting). 

Alternative public convenience amenities are to be used within the park open space of QEII Park for the duration of the building works. Thank you for your patience during this time. 

Wyberba Street Parklands, new public amenities

The City of Gold Coast will be replacing the existing public amenities at Wyberba Street Parklands with a new facility in response to public need and condition of the current facility. Wyberba Street Parklands is a very popular park that includes features such as playgrounds, picnic facilities and a lifeguard patrolled beach. 

The open and airy design of the new public amenity is consistent with other new facilities across the Gold Coast and will include stalls for male, female, unisex persons with a disability and a fully accessible unisex change room. 

As part of the amenities renewal, the beach shower located at the nearest beach entrance will be upgraded to a double beach accessible shower. Construction commenced in April with a construction period of three to four months. During the construction of the new amenities block, two temporary portable toilets will be located at Wyberba Parkland for 14 weeks from 29 April to 5 August for public use. 

Thrower Drive Bridge, Maintenance Works Stage 2

Thrower Drive Bridge spans Currumbin Creek and forms a strategic link in the road network, connecting Currumbin to Palm Beach. Engineering assessment and investigations revealed that some principal bridge components are at intervention. Rehabilitation works are necessary to maintain the structural integrity and durability of the bridge with safety and serviceability improvements.

Stage 2 works below the bridge deck (substructure) and underwater commenced in April. Barges and scaffolding will be used for safe access. There will be no impact on vehicular movements. Access will also be maintained for recreational waterway users on Currumbin Creek, however there will be some temporary speed limit reductions required during construction. No road closures or night works are required. Works are due to be completed in June 2019 (weather permitting).

Golden Four Drive, Road Upgrades

Works are ongoing along Golden Four Drive to complete the Principal Active Transport route to encourage walking and cycling. This includes upgrading and widening the shared path between Short Street and Matters Street, and connecting the path and bus stop ramps to improve accessibility.

The works also include renewal of the road pavement along Golden Four Drive (from Short Street to Gibson Street) to improve its condition. To minimise impacts, works will be delivered in stages (block by block). Notification letters will be sent to local businesses and residents. Works are due to be completed mid-year with the majority of parking to remain. 

Local Area Works

Other works taking place in Division 14 during the month of May include: 

• Restoration of retaining wall Bowden Close, Tallebudgera Valley
• Restoration of retaining wall Ducats Road LS3, Tallebudgera Valley
• Road reseal Tallebudgera Creek Road 5425-6095
• BBQ renewal Lions Park, Tallebudgera Valley
• Safety improvements, Currumbin Creek Road

What’s on in our community

Flat Rock Creek Improvement Project Community Meetings

The City of Gold Coast has engaged the consultant Water Technology to develop options to improve Flat Rock Creek, focussing on water quality, ecological health, aesthetics and flood mitigation potential. Please join us at one of the following meetings to consider the options that have been developed and to give us your views:

• Thursday 9 May, 7pm to 8.30pm at Tom Atkin Hall, 433 Golden Four Drive, Tugun
• Friday 10 May, 4pm to 7pm at the Night Markets at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary 

Cooly Rocks On

Get ready to rock at Australia’s favourite nostalgia festival celebrating the 50s, 60s and 70s right here in one of the best destinations in the world. Music, dancing, cars, nostalgia and good old-fashioned family fun return to Cooly from Wednesday 5 June to Sunday 9 June. View the event guide here. 

Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance Party

The Coolangatta Senior Citizens Centre is hosting two wonderful nights of music and dancing during the June long weekend. Two popular Gold Coast bands will take to the stage and have you dancing all night long. Purchase tickets for ‘Route 66’ on Friday 7 June from 6.30pm-10.30pm by visiting: https://bit.ly/2WiI5Xhor purchase tickets for ‘The Mustangs’ on Saturday 8 June from 6.30pm-10.30pm here. Attend both evening sessions to receive a two night discount. 

Youth Art Display

Visit the Elanora Library during the month of May to check out the youth art display in the foyer entrance. The wooden cube stools were decorated by local youth during a free stencil art workshop at Shout Out Fest during Youth Week on Saturday 6 April. 

Councillor Gail O'Neill
Division 14