The grand plans for a massive park in the centre of the Gold Coast have today been revealed, and it looks like we could be giving New York’s Central Park a run for its money.
Mayor Tom Tate unveiled the draft preliminary plans for the Greenheart project on the Gold Coast this morning, saying it’s a critical investment to ensure the city “maintains its lifestyle advantage”.
Spanning over 220 hectares from Robina to Carrara, Greenheart will be six times bigger than Broadwater Parklands and equal to Sydney’s Centennial Park.
Based on the initial design plans, it will include 15 sporting fields, an event space for 25,000 people, as well as cafes, a wedding venue and playgrounds.
Mayor Tate says the park will have a similar vibe to New York’s famous Central Park and be the most important open space project this city will deliver in a generation.
“You can go and listen to buskers here, you can go and feed the swans over there, or you can go and have a cup of coffee in the park,” he said.
“They’re the elements that we want to have here on the Gold Coast, and, unlike New York, we will have koalas!”
PHOTO: City of Gold Coast
It’s claimed the park will also “ease pressure on local sports clubs” and provide for school sports competition in a central area.
“Each year, an additional 12-15,000 residents choose to call the Gold Coast home and by 2050 this city will need to provide sporting facilities for an extra 20,000 participants each week,” Mayor Tate said.
However, according to City of Gold Coast, it’s the park’s “significant natural values that are its biggest strength.”
“Greenheart will be a unique urban forest with large areas of native forest, wetlands and waterways, which will be a mecca for native wildlife,” Council said.
It’s not yet known how much the project will cost, however, a masterplan is expected to be developed within the next financial year.
If all goes well, construction will then likely begin within the next three years.
Shanee Dobeson
