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Note that there may be a delay between adding a comment and it being published. All appropriate comments will be published. (good, bad or indifferent) and all feedback will be referenced in the design process. No comments will be posted that could be taken as an attack on an individual (s) or groups. Opinions are valued but please make sure your feedback is focused on the elements of a cultural and civic precinct master plan. If your email address is not valid your commment may be withheld
In my opinion, a vital component of the designs are those that have foot bridges. It would be great to be able to walk from Surfers Paradise. We are too dependent on driving cars.
The winning design is very cool. It would be a real land mark for the Gold Coast. It’s somewhere you can imagine going to. Imagine walking along the bridge towards the building with a real sense of arrival.
I don’t know how you could possibly judge this competition. All of the designs are amazing. Any one of these would change the Gold Coast for the better.
A very inspiring and impressive array of competition entries! The first prize was well deserved - fantastic idea! Also, its inspiring to see the School kids in on the act too. Thank you again to the competition organizers.
I think the winning entry is outstanding. It would provide the city with a civic space that we could all be proud of. Something that visitors and residents alike would be drawn to see and at t he same time enriching the cultural fabric of the city. Let's hope it is a project that can actually be realised.
Some thing that will last more than a century. Buildings and structures of importance such as a Cultural andCivic Precinct have been built in Europe and last hundreds of years. They are created with intention for future changes and made to last. Time and time again it is seen that with the fast rate of growth in the GCCC area dwellings and buildings that were erected only 20 years ago are demolished and recreated only for the here and now and not with practical vision for the future. The real challenge is to be able to create something that will stand the test of time in terms of practicality, functionality and accelerated climatic changes and natural disasters. The winning entry fails to address all these three core issues in my opinion, and is what I can only see as an ugly eyesore that will require a large amount of capital and provide extremely limited benefits for what ever its price tag may be. What good is a vision if it cannot address the problems experienced now let alone those unknowns of the future?
I would like the existing Evandale parkland to remain untouched. It is well used and enjoyed by many ratepayers, particularly the lake. It a safe environment for families with young children and a great place for those who swim for daily exercise. Please don't change the parklands.
I really enjoy swimming in the Evandale lake and I am disappointed that the winning proposal does not include the lake. I think the lake is a great alternative to swimming at the beach and also allows people (myself included) to swim laps without having to visit a pool, a great alternative to Chlorine. I think it is ironic that the lake features on the background image of the website and yet in the winning submission is not included. I feel that the lake and surrounds is like a miniture Southbank.
I agree with other comments about the lake. It would be a huge pity to lose such a loved and well used public facility. Gold Coast has a shortage of recreational facilities and with our growing population we need to retain the ones we have. The Evandale Lake is used extensively during weekdays and weekends, offers a fantastic safe alternative to chorinated pools or the beach, is cheap to maintain, and - as an earlier comment said - has the potential to become Gold Coast's own Southbank.
The loss of the lake would be a great loss to the community. They should make sure that the lake is incorporated into the plan. The lake is a favourite location for families and is used quite extensively throughout the year. You often see nippers and life savers using the lake as it is a safe environment for them to train. Save the lake.
Please leave the Evandale parklands and especially the lake alone. As one who swims in the lake three to four times per week in summer, and has enjoyed numerous BBQs in the park, I and others who I join with in these activities would be very disappointed to be denied the very pleasurable association we have with that park. A visit to it at any time of day, whether weekday or weekend, will reveal just how popular it is. I’d also like to highlight some issues with Colossal’s winning plan. Firstly, the general impression people seem to have is that access to the “Island of Culture” will be by footbridge only. Yet the designers have provided for a parking level on the island, and in any case the restaurants and arts institutions will need deliveries. Secondly the designers, with climate change in mind, provide for a “ground level of the cultural precinct approximately seven metres above sea level and well above projected flooding levels”. Maybe it won’t flood as a consequence of climate change, but it could be isolated given the much lower access areas of Surfers Paradise, Chevron Island and Evandale. Shouldnt we be minimizing development in flood prone areas? Thirdly Super Colossal’s plan has allocated some of the existing Evandale parkland “for future expansion and/or development ……..to offset project expenditure.” Surely green space around Surfers Paradise is at a premium. Let’s draw a line and stop this incremental creep of development into parkland. Please don’t spend a lot of our money to destroy something wonderful we already have.
I really enjoy the fact that we are able to use the lake for swimming and I am disappointed that the winning proposal does not include the lake. I think the lake is a great attraction for locals and visiters who quite regularly use the lake. The lake is a safe enviroment for families with young kids, the lake is used every weekend and over the holidays for swimming and BBQ'S by families.. It is also used by GC Lifesavers for the nippers as a safe place to learn their skills before heading into the ope beaches. I think it is ironic that the lake features on the background image of the website and yet in the winning submission does not mention the lake and how or if it will even exist for furture use by Gold Coast residents. I feel that the lake should be promoted more as an alternative to the swimming pools and make it into something like Southbank in Brisbane which has been very successful. SAVE THE LAKE AND ITS SURROUNDS FOR EVERYONE TO USE.
Did the judges read the Bold Future principles? The chosen design Key Area Two, A city loved for its green, gold and blue. The destruction of valuable parkland which is both attractive and well used in favour of an Alcatraz structure is a crime. Please reconsider and retain the parkland and the lagoon.
Whole thing looks good, and you should have an including of a swimming area - even if its off the parkland. Would be a great loss if it was left off.
I like parts of the winning design. The walkways look interesting and connecting Chevron and SP to Bundall is great. I like walking my small dog, on lead, around the current park - I do this every day. Please make sure I can still walk my dog in the area. Currently, I like the lake and the play ground for children - I couldnt see these in the new design. If you visit the park any weekend you will see how many people like to picnic there. Will there be picnic areas?
An area that allows residents to enjoy a relaxed, entertaining, educational and healthy experience - and that includes SWIMMING IN THE LAKE. By all means develop and add to the precinct, but do not take away a facility (the lake) that, from my 17 years of regularly using it, is extremely popular and used by many different segments of the community.
We swim in the lake at Evandale every day and enjoy the beautiful surrounds. There are always many people from the Gold Coast and also tourists from around the world swimming, exercising and picnicking in this lovely location. The wildlife abounds and children and adults of all ages delight in the peaceful ambience. Please don't take away our beautiful lake and park.
I think the first inviolable principle to observe when making decisions of this type is that we should not, under any circumstances, lose or sell off any centrally-located, publically-owned, green space. If we lose/sell it now, it is lost for future generations. We will never get it back. I walk the Evandale parklands nearly every day of the year. I firmly believe that these parklands are a well-used and well-loved community space. They are accessed free-of-charge by people of all ages, classes, and nationalaities, and provide much- needed spaces for walking, safe swimming, family picnics, fishing, bike-riding, etc. These activities are entirely congruent with Council policy regarding promotion of fitness and helathy lifestyles. I doubt there are better-patronised parklands on the Gold Coast. They are particularly well-used by national community groups. Go for a walk there - you will see groups from the Pacific Islands, Italy , Eastern Europe, the Middle East, etc. In short, "development" of these parklands is not needed. (The main thing they need is a line of tall and shady trees along their southern part , along Bundall Road.) Leave development for the private sector, in other locations, and leave our community space alone, I say! PS. Has there been a public referendum on this issue?
Why is the GCCC wasting funds on this? Provide the infrastructure that should have been provided over the past decades and is now desperately needed. Transport for example - you need to get out and about and endeavour to move around the city during business hours. You do not realise the time wasted in endeavouring to do business here - moving around to meetings. Don’t you realise the popularity of the lake, it is an asset and the winning proposal replaces the lake with concrete – get real.
The Evandale area should be left as it is. The lake and the parks adjoining are used by hundreds of people for health and exercise, an important criteria for modern day living. This area must be kept for use of the general public. Demolish the council chambers and build a suitable building in its place.
You put thought into the Bold Futures Plan that involved public consultation. The public enjoy Evandale Park with its walking tracks, exercise stations, the trees and the lawns. Just superb ++++!!! However this monstrosity of an Alcatcrz building will totally destroy the environment. You MUST reconsider so that our future generations continue to enjoy Evandale Parklands. Chevron Island is a wonderful place to live at and we desperately want it to remain that way. Keep the parklands and URGENTLY review the new development which goes completely against the Councils Bold Futures Plan that also involved the public in its decisions!!!
The Evandale area should be left as it is. The lake and the parks adjoining are used by hundreds of people for health and exercise, an important criteria for modern day living. This area must be kept for use of the general public. Demolish the council chambers and build a suitable building in its place.
As a local resident to this area I must say that the GCCC has finally been successful in creating an outdoors recreational area and now that it is a success, they want to take it away from the community! Remember - "Life Be In It" -well the current Evandale Parkland is conducive to active (not passive) cultural interaction-many people from many walks of life use the existing parklands, lake and bbq areas on a daily basis and even more so on calendar occasions. It is curently a safe place for our families to experience life outdoors rather than have yet another building to once again passively experience life indoors. We do so much of this on a daily basis by going to school or work or sitting at computers or watching television etc.
The lake should be kept as it is used by many families and groups e.g. SLSC Nippers. An upgrade and promotion of the Centre,s attractions would be beneficial.
Left as is
I am very dissapointed at the winning entry being built on the lake site. This is a very important land mark for the residents who live on the Gold Coast. I personally go to the lake at least once a week, to swim play with my children on the sand and have a BBQ breakfast too . The area is well used by locals and is one of our most treasured places to go where it is not full of tourists. Please do not get rid of the lake as where else could I take my children safely to play in and out of the water . There is sufficient room around the existing council premisis to relocate the ideas that have been suggested in this plan. Please Please Please do not get rid of the lake.
We need to keep as much green space as possible and also keep the lake, which is not only beautiful, but is also a very important open water swimming resource for a whole range users.
I dont want the Lake to go, as it it one of only a few places that anyone can swim and feel safe with no dangerous currents or boating, I also enjoy the open park areas for jogging. If there has to be a change build a footbrige from Surfers Paradise so more people can walk to this rare space in our ever growing crowed city. Build for the people not for the benefit of a rich developer.
I think everyone just needs to stop and take a breath! If any of the neigh sayers had bothered to read on to the next steps section you will see that the lake has not been included - and the winning entry doesn't mean that it will be built - it was an ideas competition that is all!!! The lake is part of a floodway system - so can't be moved or removed people - the design that won - won on it's merit - however it is not the final design that will be built - read further people - they haven't even got to the design stage yet. I think the cultural precinct is an absolute necessity. it is just one more area that can foster talent - and nurture the next generation of gold coasters into changing our image of being culturally bereft! Get off your soapbox people and see this area for what it is - a great move in development and economic benefit to the coast - after all we cannot grow without a diverse industry set!.
It is the worst decision on earth. What are you thinking in there. Leave the place alone we eeed a buffer between Surfers and the west of the city.
I have just scrolled through the designs submitted in the competition and I'm agast at the number that have road bridges crisscrossing our beautiful river. A footbridge from Chevron Island yes, but lets keep the cars away. Now we know the lake is safe it does beg the question, why weren't the participating designers breifed? Seem like an awful waste of money and I know my rates will suffer. On your site you state "The Taskforce, and the brief, will also take into account the public feedback which is currently being received about the ideas received during the competition". HOW? WHEN? and from whom??? The lack of community consultation is woeful.
l want a peaceful place for families or anyone from surrounding areas to come and enjoy. Family fun - swimming,playing, picnics, bar b ques,bike ridiing, viewing art shows, theatre, outdoor family entertainment (concerts, puppetshows) Markets, caravan shows, home shows etc .etc.markets - weekly, fortnightly or monthly, car boot sales.
Do Not Even Think Of Changing Anything with our cultural centre!!!! HANDS OFF!!!!! wE LOVE IT AS IT IS and need it as it is - NO CHANGING TO CRAPPY DESIGNS WHICH WILL DESTROY OUR NATURAL AMENITITES PLEASE.!!! we are rate payers and are distressed at losing a great asset on the coast. Rate payers decisions NEED to come first - LISTEN TO US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The "neigh sayers" have been criticised on the basis that they hadn't bothered to read the "what happens next" section. How could they have read that section since the comments referred to had already been on the site for some weeks and that information has only recently been added to the site along with a site revamp? There were a number of weeks when comments weren't added because the site was not accepting them. It's interesting that a recent posting on the Save Evandale Community Parklands Facebook page drew attention to the fact this site was not accepting comments and then, shortly after that, the site allowed comments again. I suspect the controller of this site is concerned the taskforce needs to be perceived as conducting adequate community consultation and lack of consultation is the real issue here. It is only since the rise of public anger, and the posting of comments requesting the retention of the lake, that the taskforce has been saying the lake will remain and that it is part of a flood control system. It may well be part of flood control but they didn't consider that before. If the lake was so important to the taskforce from the beginning they would have included the need to retain the lake in the design criteria. They didn't! The anger exists because neither numerous user groups (including sports and ethnic clubs), nor Save Evandale Lake and Park which represents them, have been consulted. In an email reply to my question regarding what community consultation has been conducted, Susie Douglas said "we have had an ideas competition and sought public comment via our ideas website". Given the comments on this site run overwhelmingly against the project and the terms of reference require that there has to be "adequate opportunities for community feedback and consultation in the design process" where is the evidence of community support for the project? Whether we should have a cultural centre or not, the consultation process has been a sham, many user groups are disenfranchised, and this is why there is community anger and the public don't trust those making decisions about the area behind closed doors.
Ratepayers cannot afford this, especially when the Mayor is telling us that if our rates do not go up we will not have our parks and footaths maintained or our bins emptied each week.So this is definately not necessary,
leave as is ,in the park please!!! display/rotate large aquired art collection.
Satisfied with what we have now. No need for grandiose schemes we can't afford.
1. I would like to see an outdoor music venue to enable smokers to view an event without missing out on the action the outdoor setting could also attract a larger audience and could be done as an afternoon evening type event so local residents are not disturbed too much. 2. In this same precinct, to gather a larger crowd, as I understand these ideas won’t be successful without "bums on seats" or "attendance" it would be great to make use of the word culture in the name of the area also providing what that name means i.e.: Brisbane has its hip hop scene. It could also endorse legal murals/art/graffiti where anyone can legally paint sections of walls. This would save money on the building of such an area and gives it a more youthful look. - go to www.ironlak.com if you wish to have a look at some pictures of what I think would be appropriate. The Gold Coast has a lot of artist that live here and as a tourist destination we attract international holiday makers of which a small percentage of would be artists as well. www.bansky .com 3. The Gold Coast already has a lot of what it needs hence we are already a very popular tourist destination however the un-planned and disorganised mess that Surfers Paradise has become, is what needs to be addressed prior to building anything new. For example when planning the construction of such an area, allow for mass expansion in ten years time it may be 4 times as popular with our youth as when it first opened. 4. Finally if a precinct of culture was on the gold coast I expect it would cater for everyone. Impossible you may think but with the right idea in mind and wanting to give some inspiration to the youth of the coast and correct planning/management it is possible. Do not I repeat DO NOT label the precinct as a PCYC for example, as most of our youth does not want to "hang out" with police officers. To use schoolies as an example the volunteers of the event get more respect than the police do. Have councillors or local youth workers (not religion based) managing the premises. I feel these people are more in touch with the ages 12-25. I spent some of my early life in Canberra and the youth centres in Canberra have it down pat. Do a survey on Canberra’s youth and we can model ourselves around that or at least get some feedback on how successful their youth centres have been (non profit non religion non police operated premises) another reference on the coast is RAGE in Coomera. I am 28yrs old and have lived on the gold coast for 12 years I have spent a lot of time wishing we had a venue for young bands (I am a musician and artist myself) to play to get exposure and have fun. Give our youth something to do other than binge drinking and waiting/looking forward to being able to go to nightclubs. This idea could be a major disaster if not planned properly and it could be extremely successful if done right. I am willing to offer my assistance in this project and I am sure many others are as well. I have sent many letters to GCCC asking for things that don’t cost any money for the council but provide great fun times and memories.
more music venues!!!!!!!!!!.
1: It makes economic sense to retain the three existing buildings, and utilise them exclusively for theatres, art galleries, museum and exhibition centre..2: Upgrade them in appearance and funcionality, with attractive walkways connecting all, and with no through traffic. 3: On the large western carpark, build an office tower of iconic design, to accommodate the enitire council administation. 4: Starting with three-level basement parking, ground-floor reception and council chambers 5: Rising to a "penthouse" mayoral / council / civic function facility, ending with a roof-top garden / pool / employee recreation area. 5: More open carparks can be created with minimal encroachment into green areas. 6: Location and access makes Evandale the most logical place in the city to have absolutely everything "under one roof".
as someone who pretty much grew up at the arts centre, i applaud the council's move to upgrade the space and make it more accessible to the entire community. i belive it is pretty clear from the previous comments that a large amount of people want the parklands to stay and i agree with their sentiments - i do think that a walkway from the lake to chevron island would be a wonderful idea and help connect the arts centre to existing public transport infrastructure. i think an important thing to remember is that while the design of the building is extremely important, what is more important is what programs the management and the council intend to implement once the precinct is complete. the last thing we want is a magnificent precinct that nobody uses. already, hugely popular and beneficial programs such as the in-house productions and summer school have been scrapped - what do the management intend to replace these programs with? or will the precinct simply become a money making exercise? there's no point spending millions of dollars on a revamp if there's no community -minded programs going on there. so i ask the people to not just say what you don't want - say what would make YOU go and PARTCIPATE in the cultural precinct. do you want live music, free art classes, dance classes for your kids etc? only then can the designers know what to incorporate into the new precinct. me - i want inhouse productions back, i want summer school reinstated so that future generations can have what i had - somewhere to go and be inspired. but thats just me - what would inspire you?
There are many pressures on finances, as a ratepayer I am being told to pay an ever increasing amount for council services, if its under control fair enough and if they are services everyone will benefit from - but I resent paying for entertainment used by a small percentage of Gold Coast residents. The Gold Coast Arts centre needs smartening up within it's current footprint for sure - it's not a good looking venue in all, but we could spend many millions and guess what - in a few years without maintenance; it'll look just as tatty.... The cultural precinct then, needs to be sufficiently resourced going forward from revenue generated by users and commercial backing. The council needs to lead this and not just fork out lumps of cash each time it needs to be developed. The car park needs to be hidden, the lake and parklands tidied up too, facilities for all can be provided within the existing fooprint or even less if designers were given the right brief! p>
I love the winning design, it's exactly what the Goldie needs in terms of something different. I grew up around Bundall, used the lake and the art centre regularly through my childhood....but really this area is under used and under uttilized. The bulletin and councillors can harp on about the Gold Coast being unique, beautiful bla bla bla, but honestly it ain't all that. When I left in my twenties to travel around europe I found tourist cities like the gold coast all the time... Concrete, clubs and designer shops. Honestly left me a little depressed about my home city, which I grew up thinking was the best place on earth. Lets do something unique and exciting, the winning design by colosus could become an international icon, something that leaves us with something that says Gold Coast, something that on NYE they show the opera house fieworks and then ours. Swiming enclosures can be built into the design with little expense using the new footbridges as barriers. p>
I don`t think we need the council involved in these pretentious tangents when they can`t provide the services that the ratepayers deserve,even when they increase rates every year.I have lived on the coast for 45yrs and the council performance has been worse every year.Do what you are paid for. p>
Parking is essential. There is insufficient parking for a small Sora concert so if planning larger things in the precinct, there will nee to be more parking. The area is also not reaily reachable by many forms of public transport an has only one main oversaturated roa as access so it ns not in the ieal area to make it a cultural precinct as it cannot cater for the majority of Gold Coasters
Music venue, arts precinct, live theater, restaurants, 0pen street areas, bars and light food venues with live music, no junk food. This area needs to be central on the Gold Coast and by the water to take advantage of the best the Surfers Paradise area can offer. Not another night club strip but a cultural and entertainment venue that is both adult and also child friendly
Re: survey question about donations - is there an arts foundation set up for the arts centre already? Will GCCC rely heavily on community donations to get this thing going? Good luck with that while the rates are at a record high and our council executives are on salaries that make bigger councils blush!
Other than art galleries and shopping centres there's very little for locals or tourists to do when the weather is inclement. How about a geographical museum that describes how our coastline developed. Done imaginatively this could be really interesting and informative with interactive displays. Let's have something from which we can learn more about life. We are satiated with just entertainment.
More modern and experimental sound and visual art; less hate-fests
A venue that can be accessible to the community as a whole. A facility that has world class facilities to attract opera, ballet, musicals, theatre, concerts, orchestral productions etc. HOWEVER, it must also have a benevolent attitude towards those minority groups in the community. For example ADFAS. I have been a member of this group for two years but it actually has been on the Gold Coast for at least 10 years. It has made a huge difference to the lives of many people on the Gold Coast. Not only does it "fill the cultural gap" with its lectures but it also nurtures friendships with like minded souls. There are, no doubt, many other groups who are in the same position as ADFAS who have limited funds but embrace the opportunity to have the use of such an amazing venue as the Gold Arts Centre. The Gold Coast Council must embrace these diverse groups in order for the Centre to be truly known as a Civic and cultural precinct. Thank you for your attention.
the arts, the theatre, the shows, the culture, the movies that are hard to see i.e. foreign movies, the commediains, documentaries, short movies, a meeting place for yound and old to meet and enjoy either all the above and food.
More theatre! From Independant theatre companies with unique, creative, original work. Not just young kids in musicals with an old audience. Would like to see the arts industry become popular on the Gold Coast!
Somewhere relaxing to enjoy all aspects of entertainment currently not supported on the coast. A facility to feature Ballet and Broadway style musicals would almost certainly popular. musical acts performing in an amphithetre both during the week and weekends would be a great attraction to tourists provided that suitable shade was available. The council could certainly learn from the alfresco entertainment recently held at both Harrigans and Sirromet that there is suitable demand for something of this kind, the informal picnic on the green style is very popular but sadly lacking locally on the coast. Obviously any development would have to bear in mind parking facilities provided either free to ticket holders or at a reasonable cost (unlike the Brisbane entertainment centre).
Wildlife sanctuary, flora and fauna
Bands, music, local & international talent! Dance shows, Dance Comps especially hip hop.
The Gold Coast needs alternatives other than pubs and nightclubs for socialising. I am an original Gold Coaster girl of 30 years and my friends and I are always looking for something different to do. Surfers is no longer safe and social at night and we desperately need something new, exciting and stimulating on the coast. There are not many alternatives on the coast when it comes to entertainment. I think we need more live bands, comedy nights and outdoor/open lounge bars with pool tables which are more social than clubs and pubs.
i would like to see a large performance theatre
The current GCAC hire rates are such that very few local theatre and dance groups can afford to use it, similarly commercial promoters need to ensure capacity houses to meet these costs - this does not help the growth of local or visiting cultural events in the area. Council should be more focused on delivering a facility that CAN BE USED not one that 'looks good' but is out of reach! Also the theatre facilities should be of a size comperable to the demand of the local market - a city of our population size cannot hope to fill a Sydney-size venue, no matter what the event, and therefore the acts that demand this size audience will always prefer to play in a larger market venue.
The chance to have great theatre shows like wicked etc presented more than having to go to Brisbane or interstate More Kids shows area - stage & fun stuff for Children TV GCCC studios working with the public Radio GCCC working with the public.
Somewhere that is easily accessable. A place where we hang out and enjoy spending time with other people who enjoy similar interests. I enjoy theatre, art and cultural exhibitions.
A headquarters for the Gold Coast City Jazz Club which has been established for over 10 years and which currenly stages its event at the Southport Yacht Club. The club has an large following and membership and is widely supported by the local community but needs a more central and suitable location to stage its events and develop up and comming jazz musicians.
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