Working for our future – today
Young Street
Southport
FEBRUARY 2013 - PROJECT UPDATE 1
The Centre Improvement Program
Gold Coast City Council’s Centre Improvement Program (CIP) is working with local communities to improve and
breathe new life into business centres across the City. CIP aims to create attractive, vibrant and engaging places in
urban centres that encourage people to stop, stay and shop in the centre. A revitalised urban centre brings a fresh
identity that builds on the unique character of the street.
The Partnership
In August 2012, Commercial Property owners within the Young Street precinct were offered the opportunity of
entering a partnership agreement whereby Council and commercial property owners contribute funds towards
undertaking a CIP in Young Street. The commercial property owners were asked to vote on this proposal, which
received the required support.
The Budget
The project has a total budget of $2.4 million
and includes the area along Young Street
between Scarborough and Garden Streets.
The funding breakdown is as follows:
• Council
• Property Owners
$1,600,000
$800,000
Council will initially pay the full cost of the
project, utilising a loan to cover the one third to
be contributed by owners. The loan is then
repaid to Council by owners of commercial
property via a levy paid through the Council
rates process, over a 10 year period. No
interest is charged to owners and repayment
via the levy will only commence in the
financial year closest to completion of the
project. At this stage payment of levy is
expected to commence in July 2014.
Aerial Photograph showing Young Street Centre Improvement Project Area
Community Engagement
Community engagement is fundamental to a good design outcome. A Project Reference Group (PRG) is formed at
the instigation of each project with membership comprising commercial property owners, business operators and
relevant members of the local community who nominate to be a part of the group.
Working for our future – today
The Project Reference Group (PRG)
A Project Reference Group has been established for Young Street. The role of the group is to:
• Contribute local knowledge and identify issues relevant to the project.
• Discuss issues relating to proposed improvements with other stakeholders between meetings and report back
relevant comments.
• Review and comment on proposed design concepts.
PRG Members
• Establish priorities based on available funding.
Garth Bell / Max Bohlscheid / Rod Butler /
The First Project Reference Group Meeting
The first PRG meeting was held on 31 October, 2012. The
Group was introduced to the CIP team, process and project.
During the meeting the group undertook a workbook exercise
designed to identify existing issues and future opportunities.
The responses provide an understanding of community needs
which informs the revitalisation of the street. The results will be
presented back to the Group at the next meeting.
Peter Hing / Mark Taylor / Craig Waring /
Paul Webb / Tiffany Webb / Annie Withington
Young Street - Existing Site Conditions
Some of the results are graphed below :
List of issues to be improved in order of
importance (the top 5)
5
1
1. Pedestrian safety
2. Footpath quality
4
3
2
3. Shade and street trees
4. Car parking
5. Street lighting
YES
Should there be more trees in Young
Street?
100% of respondents say ‘yes’
MAYBE
YES
Do you think the Gold Coast will benefit
from the inclusion of an international
district (i.e Chinatown) in Southport?
Second Project Reference Group Meeting
The second PRG meeting was held on 12 December, 2012.
The Group looked at the existing character of Young Street
and explored the future desired character. A ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’
exercise was completed and the results will be presented at
the
] next PRG meeting.
A vision statement for the project was endorsed;
“Create a street which is vibrant, clean and inviting. A street which includes street trees and is safe for all users. This
street will be attractive, of quality and user friendly.”
A structural framework plan was presented. This plan is currently being developed into a conceptual plan and will be
presented for discussion at the next meeting.
Working for our future – today
Chinatown, Southport
In a first for the CIP team, we’re currently working
together with Councils Economic Development and
Major Projects directorate to create a new destination –
Chinatown, Gold Coast.
Chinatown will be located in Young and Davenport Streets
in Southport and will be the place to celebrate the best
of Asian culture and design. It will foster international
relationships, attract investment and welcome tourists.
The vision is to develop a precinct which will attract
a range of multicultural stores and offer a variety of
complementary professional services.
Council is engaging with the Gold Coast Chinatown
Association and local stakeholders to develop a
Chinatown Masterplan by May 2013. The Masterplan will
outline design, management and events implementation
strategies.
The CIP team is collaborating with the Young St Project
Reference Group to design streetscape and urban design
improvements that will deliver $2.4M streetscaping works
in Young Street.
Where to from here ?
The next PRG meeting will be held on 27 February 2013.
This meeting will include feedback from the character
exercises, and discussion on further development of
conceptual ideas moving forward.
Project timeline
The broad timing of the project is as follows:
Consultation & Design
Engineering Documentation
Construction
Opening
Oct 2012 - June 2013
July 2013 - Dec 2013
Jan 2014 - Jun 2014
July 2014
Draft Revitalisation Plan to be on public display May 2013
Contact
Centre Improvement Program
Craig Connelly - Project Leader
(07) 5582 8170
Veronica Bilney – Community Liaison &
Business Development Officer
(07) 5582 8065
Email: [email protected]
Fax: (07) 5582 8009
web: goldcoastcity.com.au/cip
Chinatown Gold Coast
Shaelee Richards - Coordinator Project Feasibility
and Partnerships
[email protected]
or visit the Chinatown website
www.chinatowngoldcoast.com.au
Working for our future – today
Young Street, Centre Improvement Program Project area