A Council Committee has voted overwhelmingly in favour of permanently closing The Esplanade in Surfers Paradise, with a final call just a week away.
It follows a rigorous debate in a meeting of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee where one councillor described one of the initiatives linked to the closure as “grubby”.
The Esplanade was first shut to traffic in August as part of a trial which was then extended until the end of March.
Committee Chair and local councillor Darren Taylor said this was not just about a road closure, but the long-term revitalisation of the tourist precinct.
“This decision is about how we reshape the future of Surfers Paradise and more broadly how we shape the future of our city, and importantly, this is not a decision made in isolation,” Cr Taylor said.
“Spaces like the Esplanade are not just corridors. They’re part of the lifestyle of our residents. They are places where people gather, where families spend time, and with where visitors experience our city.
“And if we don’t protect and enhance those spaces now, we risk losing what makes this place special.”
A report presented to the committee showed 1.13 million pedestrians were recorded on time-lapse cameras in the trial zone between September and December, while the number of visitors to the beach surged by 68% during the trial.
Councillor Donna Gates questioned those figures, arguing other evidence showed the strip largely abandoned.
“I have dozens of photographs taken at all times of the day and night, and unless there’s a specific event happening, the road is clear,” Cr Gates said.
“And you will see from the Bulletin’s report today where the member of the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club is standing with his hands in the air and there’s not a soul to be seen down the whole length of the road.”
Cr Gates also raised concerns about the effect on traffic in the suburb, despite the report claiming the impact had been minimal.
She also took aim at some of the activations set up as part of the closure.
“It’s been pretty sad for me to see the sand pit, the grubby sand pit with sandbags around it that’s been created as a temporary so-called improvement. When we’ve got just the most magnificent sand a step away.”
Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel said Surfers Paradise is critical to the whole city, and the closure had changed the feel of it for the good.
“No cars, no trucks, no one waiting at the traffic lights, not seeing people risking their safety ducking in and out of traffic to get across the road. None of that. A completely different feel to the area. I really loved that,” Cr Hammel said.
The move was easily passed with only Councillor Gates voting against it.
The matter will now go to a meeting of Full Council next Tuesday.
