What is the aim of the Centre Improvement Program?

    To transform the city's centres into:

    • attractive, vibrant places where people want to be
    • places which embrace community needs and aspirations
    • comfortable convenient places with improved personal, traffic and pedestrian safety
    • places of unique identity celebrating local character
    • successful business and community destinations

    Why is a revamp of Griffith Street proposed?

    Griffith Street is Coolangatta’s main retail strip and comprises an array of businesses including restaurants, cafes, clothing stores and service providers. Griffith Street plays an important role in servicing the needs of locals in the city’s south, as well as the many tourists who visit Coolangatta and surrounds.

    Council has proposed a Draft Revitalisation Plan for Griffith Street to ensure it provides a functional, attractive and safe visitor experience, which builds upon Coolangatta’s unique coastal character.

    The Centre Improvement Program (CIP) will be the first major works for Griffith Street for some 25 years.

    What is the Centre Improvement Program?

    The objective of Gold Coast City Council’s CIP is to work with local communities to rejuvenate retail strips across the city. The underlying approach to the CIP is advocating urban design principles which are engaging, pedestrian friendly and focused on the enhancement of the area’s unique character.

    Council partners with businesses and property owners to identify opportunities which enhance the appeal of central business districts which don’t receive the benefits of upgrades enjoyed by tenants of shopping centres.

    Council has completed 14 CIPs, including most recently Thomas Drive, Chevron Island, Mermaid Beach, Paradise Point Town Centre and Tugun Town Centre.

    What section of Griffith Street will the draft revitalisation plan focus on?

    The Draft Revitalisation Plan will focus on Griffith Street between McLean and Warner Streets. It will also include a section of Dutton Street.

    What will Griffith Street look like once the works are completed?

    The CIP works will increase interest in Griffith Street, providing an attractive streetscape befitting of the retail strip’s popularity and village charm.

    Specific features of the Griffith Street Draft Revitalisation Plan include:

    • improved site connectivity
    • activity generators to draw people into Griffith Street
    • reactivation of dead space/activate edges
    • improved lighting and amenity
    • provision of order, rhythm and aesthetic
    • use of environmental psychology to address
    • anti-social issues
    • creation of a discernable heart to anchor and reinforce character

    and many more.

    When could the work start?

    Currently, works are anticipated to start in the first quarter of 2013. A definitive starting date will be determined in coming months.

    How much will it cost?

    A budget of $2.2 million has been estimated for the works program.

    How will it be funded?

    The works program will be partly funded by commercial property owners within the Griffith Street CIP area – the beneficiaries of the upgrade – and Council.

    Under all CIPs rolled out across the Gold Coast, property owners collectively pay one-third of the project costs through a 10 year levy. The levy is introduced following the completion of construction.

    Individual levies are calculated based on the Unimproved Capital Value (UCV) of commercial properties in the defined area.

    Will shops remain open during the construction period?

    Yes. While the construction program has not been defined, works will be undertaken in stages to reduce disturbance.