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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.
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