The council says it wants to bring a “new experience economy” to Surfers Paradise. But here’s the thing — we already have one. And it’s world-class.
The Esplanade is part of how we see ourselves. Flip off your shoes, dig your toes in the sand — billionaire or beach bum, we’re all the same here. That’s the magic of Surfers.
It’s free to swim, free to walk, free to barbecue, free to just sit and watch the world go by. Surfers even invented meter maids to keep it free. The road has always been the line between the open, public beach and the private, commercial strip.
And that road — The Esplanade — is the spine of what makes this place tick. It’s not just a street. It’s one of the world’s most unique scenic drives. And it powers what you could call the seven-speed experience economy:
The seven-speed experience economy
The beach
swimming, surfing, playing, relaxing.
Passive pedestrians
Reading, snoozing, coffee in hand.
Active pedestrians
Runners, joggers, skaters, scooters.
Street markets
Stalls, colour, and movement.
Motorists
Locals and tourists in a passing parade of street machines, hot rods, muscle cars, fun buggies, classics, even pedal-powered go-cabs.
Cafes and restaurants
Food, friends, people-watching, and
Major events
From Seafire to the Pacific Air Show, from the Gold Coast Marathon to New Year’s Eve.
So what are we getting?
Together, this mix creates a living economy where everyone has a place — free or commercial, fast or slow. And the Esplanade is what stitches it all together.
The council’s “day in the life” example lists 22 activities their redesign will supposedly bring. But right now, today, we’re already doing 20 of them, all along its 1500 metres.
So what are we really getting with this so-called “new” economy? And what are we losing if cars — and the full seven speeds of the Esplanade — are stripped away?
It would seem we are swapping out a lively integrated set of evolved experiences for fewer, smaller, more passive, imposed ones.
What can you do?
The 2 Minute Business Survey
A small action, but powerful if many of us do it. The results will give us real data to show the impact this closure is having on local business.
Once completed, the survey returns you to this page.
Go to the Actions and Contacts Page
Call, write or take a survey, we provide links and resources to make it easy for you to have your opinion heard.
Go to the Business Actions Page
There are many businesses in Surfers Paradise who have seen a downturn. It is time for us to band together and show up in numbers. The time is now. Join us.
Call Council, lodge a complaint.
This is their administrative line and they may advise you to lodge your complaint online. Below is a link to Council’s Complaints page where you can submit online.
Contact the Division 10 Council
Send your story to In Surfers Paradise
Sending a letter to Council can be backed up by forwarding a copy to us. With your permission we can also put it on this website as an open letter.
Send your letter to the Federal member for Surfers Paradise
Contact the Stakeholder Engagement Team
This is the address supplied for business owners and property managers and anyone looking for more information on the Council’s FAQ page.
GC Have Your Say Survey
Note this survey’s questions are heavily loaded. They have a narrow positive framing focussed on a set of benefits which may not result from this plan. You are permitted to disagree with the premise of the questions and mark as "Not important" anything you do not consider to have a valid premise.
Make good use of the comments section.
Join us!
List of videos
Full Report | https://youtu.be/9ECWXxcSpzQ
Report Summary | https://youtu.be/I7iW_HTrVZs
01 Opening Introduction | https://youtu.be/GYHGkkCX-f8
02 The Esplanade is Already Healthy | https://youtu.be/oaQKPhiy5Rg
03 The Cars on The Esplanade | https://youtu.be/k_2Ky4PLNNU
04 Drove the money away | https://youtu.be/dAlmJ0MZi9c
05 The Bind in the Concept | https://youtu.be/-HYQblzC9eY
06 Road is a Dead Zone | https://youtu.be/asNaRY9pX_g
07 Esplanade Muted | https://youtu.be/Mm1zfUQiM6c
08 Business centre bypassed | https://youtu.be/lon4b5OETdA
09 Surfers Paradise Avoided | https://youtu.be/TyJ5dbglrYs
10 Installing a North South Divide | https://youtu.be/tOG7yXxovng
11 Causing Instant Gridlock | https://youtu.be/T3RAI_nFcY0
12 Risking Our Safety | https://youtu.be/_9ZLZ5Xl7mc
13 Emergency Services | https://youtu.be/z69xPjerw3U
14 Using The Wrong Models | https://youtu.be/o5NFQ3pyFQk
15 Breaking the Fun | https://youtu.be/oDylOU1PC5o
16 Attracting which locals? | https://youtu.be/BqmWRso9AWA
17 Failing their own Strategies | https://youtu.be/tuiMntednDg
18 Bending The 71% | https://youtu.be/iaF_g15nuBc
19 Not listening | https://youtu.be/Lu4kECLlWp8
20 Selling Peace and Quiet | https://youtu.be/j_kC5-4haSY
21 Destroying the Brand | https://youtu.be/wlU-pYtc2yo
22 Who is this for? | https://youtu.be/p8tOC8IsIxE
23 Iconic Design and Disruption | https://youtu.be/HX_ZlaA8aZM
24 No Morning Shade | https://youtu.be/zGDce7Lvtlc
25 The Iconic Scenic Drive | https://youtu.be/DzgeTzWYWJk
26 Alternate Design | https://youtu.be/WjIo8EInrEc
27 Hoons | https://youtu.be/_xaabV16BQo
28 The Missing Piece | https://youtu.be/P6ySApXP33g
Cutting down the Poincianas | https://youtu.be/P8QVWhlGWSU
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