Gold Coast homeowners looking to downsize have snapped up a third of the units in Broadbeach’s newest tower.

Demolition finished this month for the IVY 95 tower earmarked for completion by December 2017 which will be developed on the corner of Old Burleigh Rd and Second Ave.

IVY95 will offer 51 apartments starting from $631,000, with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

The tower offers 51 apartments starting from $634,000. Ray White New Projects Director, Julian Sutherland says the luxurious interiors and low-maintenance lifestyle was a drawcard for buyers who were downsizing from family homes, with a strong design focus on the kitchen and bathrooms.

IVY95 features designer kitchens and bathrooms.

“Local buyers were doing their research when it came to finding the right unit,” he says.

“For many buyers this will be their home for years to come.”

Julian adds that customers are impressed with the tower’s interiors and fittings.

“Curious buyers have been able to see it for themselves by visiting the sales display.”

Developed by Dankav the apartments are designed by BDA Architects.

Buyers Robert and Julie Morley bought a unit after deciding to downsize from their five-bedroom home.

“With our children now grown-up, we no longer need as much space and we’ve been keen to move closer to the beach for a while. For years we’ve driven to the beach from our house in Broadbeach Waters and always loved the corner site on Second Avenue, so when we started to see the old house knocked down we were eager to find out more,” Robert says.

“Ivy is the name of our grandchild.”

Burleigh business owners of South Coast Foam and Fibreglass say they were also attracted to the boutique-style.

“We chose the north-facing apartment with the largest floorplan so we can still have the kids stay when they want to,” Robert says.

“We really loved the boutique nature of the building compared to some of the larger towers that are currently being built. We just felt like it would be a really private place to live.”

The apartment tower includes a business lounge for formal gatherings and a rooftop garden.Y95 will offer 51 apartments starting from $631,000, with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

Source from Hannah Sbeghen, Gold Coast Bulletin

 

Gold Coast’s inland suburbs expected to boom

 

The Terry Ryder Price Predictor states many of the inland housing areas of the Gold Coast have strongly-growing markets.

INVESTORS should head for the hills according to a new report which predicts prices in Upper Coomera and Nerang will rise faster than in beachfront suburbs.

The Terry Ryder Price Predictor, based on trends in sales volumes, describes the Gold Coast as a “tale of two cities”.

“(It’s) the high-rise suburbs and genuine residential suburbs,” the report states.

“We urge investors to avoid the former and concentrate on the latter.

“Many of the inland housing areas of the Gold Coast have strongly-growing markets and will deliver price growth. Our Top 30 list includes Ashmore, Carrara, Highland Park, Nerang and Upper Coomera.”

Jasmin Young and Corey Gerhardt have built a home in Upper Coomera. Supplied.

Jasmin Young and her partner Corey Gerhardt, who have built their first home at Upper Coomera, said they chose the suburb because of its affordability and strong capital growth opportunities.

“We decided to build at Highland Reserve in Upper Coomera because it was a happy medium between Brisbane where my partner works and the southern Gold Coast where I work,” Ms Young said.

“The fact that Upper Coomera continues to show strong signs of price growth was a major deciding factor in our decision to build there.”

House and land master planned community project, Highland Reserve, at Upper Coomera, developed by Stockland.

REIQ Gold Coast zone chairman John Newlands said Ashmore, Carrara, Highland Park, Nerang and Upper Coomera still offered affordable housing.

“You can buy a house for $450,000 to $550,000 in those suburbs,” he said.

“It’s just not possible for many in a lot of the beachside suburbs so it really is affordability which will drive those suburbs.”

The news is not all positive for the Gold Coast with the Sunshine Coast expected to overtake the Gold Coast’s property market’s growth.

“The trend suggests the Gold Coast is winding down – it surged throughout 2015 and the early part of 2016, but the number of growth suburbs has dropped from 25 six months ago to 20 three months ago to 14 now,” the report states.

“We continue to urge caution about the Gold Coast high-rise apartment markets because of the alarming history of boom-bust scenarios, poor capital growth record and looming prospect of oversupply.”

But Mr Newlands said he was surprised by the predicted trend.

“I really do feel that the Gold Coast is growing,” Mr Newlands said.

“We rely heavily on tourism and hospitality but we also have construction and manufacturing to the west of the Coast. Tourism is growing and we’ve also broken into the healthy industry.”

Source from Aleisha Pidgeon, News Corp Australia Network

 

Gold Coast developer Harry Triguboff to knock over Surfers Paradise tower

Australia’s richest man Harry Triguboff. Photo: Jerad Williams

AUSTRALIA’S richest man is planning to build the Gold Coast’s biggest apartment building on a prime beachfront site in Surfers Paradise.

Harry Triguboff said he would build a 90-storey tower, at least, once he buys a site of close to 4000sq m on The Esplanade and near Cavill Ave in Surfers Paradise.

Property sources said the holding involved was the 22-level International Beach Resort, originally the Apollo apartment tower, and it was being bought for $58 million.

The Surfers Paradise skyline from the water.

The resort, on 3833sq m, is owned by Singaporean businesswoman Gertrude Kwok who runs it as a three-star hotel.

Mr Triguboff’s Meriton group plans to quickly clear the property once its purchase settles in February or March.

The 83-year-old developer said planning was under way for a skyscraper that would capitalise on the unrestricted height limit that applied to the site.

Harry Triguboff.

“We’re looking at going to 90 storeys and possibly more and, subject to gaining approvals, could be building by April.”

Mr Triguboff said the tower, his 18th on the Gold Coast, would have serviced and residential apartments and would be topped by penthouses.

The $58 million price is the most Mr Triguboff has paid for a Gold Coast site since he outlaid $54.5 million 12 years ago for the former Sundale shopping centre in Southport.

The Surfers Paradise skyline from the beach using a GoPro.

The Q1, at 78 levels, and Soul (77) are the city’s highest apartment towers.

Spirit, being undertaken by Hong Kong’s Forise group on its $65 million former Iluka high-rise site in Surfers Paradise, will have 89 floors.

Mr Triguboff, this year rated Australia’s richest person with a $10.6 billion fortune, said the new Surfers tower would enable the group to complete its portfolio of Queensland serviced apartments.

Harry and Rhonda Triguboff at the Sundale launch.

Meriton Serviced Apartments, Australia’s biggest owner of hotel suites with more than 4000, has two properties in Brisbane and two on the Gold Coast.

Mr Triguboff said the Surfers Paradise tower would fill in the Gold Coast “bookends”.

“We already have serviced apartments north in Southport and south in Broadbeach and they are very robust performers.

The Surfers Paradise skyline from the beach.

“The new tower will be the icing on our serviced apartments business on the Gold Coast.

“And the apartments and penthouses that will sit above the serviced suites will be the best we’ve built in our 35 years on the Gold Coast.

“A site like the one we are buying, across the road from the beach and a stroll from the heart of Surfers and the light-rail system, is blue chip and deserves a standout project.

“We will employ highly-rated architects and their brief will include ensuring every room in every apartment has views.”

Meriton will complete Sundale, the final stage of its 1600-apartment Brighton on Broadwater community in Southport, in December and move its construction team on to the Surfers Paradise project.

The planned Meriton tower will be the fourth undertaken in Surfers Paradise by Mr Triguboff since the early 1980s.

He built the Florida and Nelson (Paradise Waters) towers in the early 1980s and Solaire in Ferny Ave nine years ago.

Source from Quentin Tod, Gold Coast Bulletin

Gold Coast agents giving out money, food and coffee to attract sellers and buyers

COMPETITION in the cut-throat real estate market is so intense one Gold Coast agent is giving out $1000 incentives for referrals.

Andre Sharples, of Professionals John Henderson Real Estate, has given away $10,000 this year — and hopes to give out more.

“It gets me business as I’ve got people out there promoting me to get their $1000,” Mr Sharples said.

“Listings are very tight and it’s another way to promote yourself.

“It doesn’t affect the seller or anything and it gives people an extra $1000 in their pocket before Christmas.”

Andre Sharples has given away $10,000 this year — and hopes to give out more. Picture Glenn Hampson

The incentive is not given out until a property settles and comes with strict conditions.

“Anything that sells for under $500,000, (the person who referred the client) gets $500 and anything over $500,000 is $1000,” Mr Sharples said.

LJ Hooker are also running a national giveaway giving one customer the chance to win $1 million to spend on LJ Hooker property.

Every property owner who has a sales or rental market update with LJ Hooker will go into the draw.

“We’re very excited about how the incentive will resonate with the marketplace,” head of marketing Heather Hilton said.

“The market’s fundamentals are very strong, but as market-wide listings have shown, sellers are requiring further encouragement to engage and this is how our campaign has evolved.”

As well as monetary incentives, agents are also resorting to food — Harcourts Coastal’s Greg Washington and Troy Madden offered fairy floss and espresso coffee at a recent Miami auction.

“It’s really to make the event about the whole community,” Mr Washington said.

“A bit of fairy floss keeps the kids happy and then there’s a coffee for mum and dad.

The pair also give out personalised stubby coolers.

“It’s something people can remember us by and stubby coolers often get passed around at barbecues,” Mr Washington said.

“Real estate is a talking point at every family event and ends up coming up in conversation which is why we chose to do the stubby coolers.”

Source from Aleisha Pidgeon, News Corp Australia Network

Gold Coast City Council auctions off swimming pool in arrears

 

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Robina unit complex’s pool sold off by Gold Coast City Council to recoup rates arrears

A BRISBANE company has splashed out to buy the swimming pool of a Robina unit complex in what is being called one of the most unusual sales in the Gold Coast’s history.

A lakeside 25m pool, pump room and toilets attached to the Varsity Towers complex has been sold at auction, separate from the building it is attached to.

media_cameraA Brisbane company has bought the pool of a Robina unit complex.

The 404sqm pool deck was sold by the Gold Coast City Council as a strata-title lot because its owner, Vale Investment Group, was in arrears by $31,812.77.

North Brisbane-based company Padami Pty Ltd put up a lone bid of $20,000 which failed to meet the reserve set by the city but, upon negotiations with council officers, is understood to have agreed to a sale price of between $70,000 and $80,000.

Padami already own adjoining commercial space which sits above the pool deck and was recently fitted out.

Padami spokesman Chris Houghton said the property had been bought for the toilet facilities, because its commercial space did not have any amenities.

media_cameraA Brisbane company has bought the pool of a Robina unit complex.

The cost of building new amenities was understood to be higher than the pool’s purchase price.

He said no decision had been made on the future of the pool, which could either be filled in, transferred to the towers’ body corporate or amalgamated with the existing space to create a gym.

Mr Houghton said buying the pool was a “common sense” decision and was purely an investment.

“Now we have an opportunity to rent it to someone who maybe can use it for office space upstairs, or perhaps a gym,” he said.

“No decision has been made yet on what to do with the pool.”

media_cameraGeneral view of the pool at Varsity Towers on Lake Orr road which is up for sale today, Robina, Gold Coast. Photo: Regi Varghese

The pool was built as part of the Varsity Towers complex in 2004 and was sold to Romanza Group Holdings on May 13, 2008 for $695,000.

It is unknown why the pool was sold separately from the 360-unit complex.

Romanza then sold it to the now-deregistered company on October 15, 2008 for $5000, just a month after the beginning of the global financial crisis.

Harcourts Coastal managing director Dane Atherton said his firm had sold a large number of properties inside Varsity Towers complex and described the pool sale as “the most unusual transaction” he had heard of.

“It is certainly unusual but it has been known for years among the unit owners that the pool was owned separately,” he said.

“Just because it is attached to the building does not mean it will necessarily be retained in the existing format.”

Colliers International’s Darrell Irwin said such a sale was “highly unusual”.

“It is odd and highly usual, because normally something like this would be part of the common area of the property under the exclusive use of the body corporate, owners and renters,” he said.

“Why it is a separate fixture is a mystery.

“The cost paid for it would be less than the replacement cost and given there was just one potential bidder, then I would say it is a great outcome.”

The auction was held at Southport Church of Christ and was attended by 15 people, all of whom paid a $5000 secure deposit to bid on the land.

The council regularly auctions properties where rates were in arrears.

It resolved last year to sell 557 properties on whichrates of $7.1 million were owed.

Of these, just $81,000 remains unpaid and following yesterday’s auction just eight properties have ultimately gone to auction, with the remaining 543 having paid up in full

 

Source from ANDREW POTTS, Gold Coast Bulletin

 

Sovereign Islands mansion a glittering prize home

THIS Tuscan-style mansion at The Sovereign Islands must rank as one of the most opulent in an area known for extravagant luxury homes.

Clint and Jenny Karan, whose background is in the building and development sectors, refurbished the property over the past year, decking it out in marble, granite and stone.
There is even an entire feature wall made of onyx, a very unusual feature for a mansion.

37-39 Brittanic Cres, The Sovereign Islands is on the market.

The property, at 37 Brittanic Cres, is on a 1168sq m block with a north-facing aspect and room to park an 55m yacht.
Mr Karan said the property managed to meld the old with the new.

37-39 Brittanic Cres, The Sovereign Islands is on the market.

“We’ve included the latest materials and finishes available on the market,” he said.
“It is all based around a traditional Tuscan theme and although the interior is quite modern, it’s a seamless transition because there is a lot of stone and natural materials to keep that theme continuing.”

37-39 Brittanic Cres, The Sovereign Islands is on the market.

The three-level property had six bedrooms, eight bathrooms and basement parking for 10 cars.

37-39 Brittanic Cres, The Sovereign Islands is on the market.

There is also an alfresco dining area complete with pizza oven and wet bar, a mosaic-tiled waterside pool, custom-made chandeliers, coffered ceilings and a half-size basketball court.

The property is marketed by Ali Mian, of Ray White Sovereign Islands, in an expressions of interest campaign closing on May 31.

37-39 Brittanic Cres, The Sovereign Islands is on the market.
Source:Alister Thomson News Corp Australia Network

Residents and development breathe new life into coastal suburb Labrador

People enjoying the lagoon at Harley Park. Photo: Mike Batterham

• RESIDING in the northern corridor of the Gold Coast, Labrador is fast becoming a paradise for residents seeking an affordable and central suburb that is still within arms’ reach of the beach. Younger families are coming in, attracted to the Broadwater views along with one of the best parks on the Gold Coast — Harley park.

While the suburb is transforming from of its old look, it is not leaving its treasures behind.
The Grand Hotel has remained in the same spot since the early 1900s and it is visited by those from surrounding suburbs.
LJ Hooker Broadwater principal Danny Malone says there has been a lot of support for changes to town planning in Labrador, with residents enjoying new development.
“The council wants to see Labrador develop and fit into the rest of the style of the Gold Coast but there’s a balance in trying not to create an oversupply of dwellings, we’re looking at a good mix,” Danny says.
“Ten years ago Labrador was seeing half the activity it’s seeing today, with increased growth in the northern corridor. Most of what we sell now is 60 per cent units. We’re also finding that we’re selling to high-end users and young owner-occupiers.”
Danny reckons while it’s hard to get a house under $450,000, the influx of units offers more affordability, with prices starting at $250,000.
“Labrador is one of those well laid-out suburbs where there are different house prices that run straight through the guts of the suburb. In the corner of Labrador there are lots of affordable duplexes which have been snapped up by buyers. The bigger apartments are generally on the waterfront and they certainly complement the area.”

The Grand Hotel is a popular watering hole. Picture: Mike BatterhamSource:News Limited

Sapphire At The Broadwater and Coast Broadwater are two of the newest developments taking off. The $100 million Coast Broadwater development’s first stage has already sold out. Stage one includes 124 residential apartments.

Labrador is also on the world stage once a year, with the annual Gold Coast Airport Marathon running through part of the suburb.
Held on the first weekend of July and attracting more than 27,000 participants, the race winds through Labrador.
The suburb’s sporting clubs include the Labrador Tigers AFL Club.

Residents have easy access to the Broadwater. Picture Mike BatterhamSource:News Limited

General manager Connie Sawker says it is growing in popularity, with a great increase in membership recently.
“We’re getting calls from the community who want to get involved — especially the little juniors who have taken interest in playing after watching the bigger boys do really well,” Connie says.
“On a Saturday we have a lot of community members from Labrador coming to the club’s oval … and cheering the boys on.”
Connie says Labrador is a suburb with residents both young and old.
“The club has a great relationship with both sides of the community but we are seeing an increase in young members.”
While the club is in an older area of Labrador, Connie reckons the beauty about its location is it’s not directly on the street.
She says local Labrador band Rockwell plays at the club as well as country singer Lee Conway, who calls the suburb home.

Originally published as Labrador becomes paradise central
Source from news.com.au

Surfers is new investors paradise

 

A MASSIVE 30 per cent surge in units sold in Surfers Paradise has seen the suburb leap past Melbourne’s CBD as the No. 1 spot for apartment buyers.

Surfers Paradise is Australia’s new investor paradise with a 30 per cent rise in units sold

 

Investor Clive Taylor has bought a unit at Olympus Holiday Apartments in Surfers Paradise. Picture: John Gass.

A MASSIVE 30 per cent surge in units sold in Surfers Paradise has seen the suburb leap past Melbourne’s CBD as Australia’s No. 1 spot for apartment buyers.

Surfers Paradise had 1606 units sold, the highest number in the country, for a median sale price of $345,000. That compared to 1540 units and a median of $455,000 for Melbourne CBD, according to CoreLogic figures.

The previous year there were 1404 units sold in Melbourne and 1216 in Surfers Paradise.

The median sale price in the Glitter Strip also increased last year at 1.5 per cent but fell in Melbourne by 3.2 per cent.

REIQ Gold Coast zone chairman John Newlands said investors were fuelling the surge.

“We’re seeing renewed interest from investors, including from Melbourne and Sydney, that are finding good value on the Gold Coast,” Mr Newlands said.

Investor Clive Taylor at Olympus Holiday Apartments with Professional Surfers Paradise sales agent Glen Smith. Picture: John Gass.

“They have not been as present in the last few years but with the low vacancy rate, all the construction going on and the boost in tourism, they are seeing it as a top place to invest.”

Increasing home equity levels on the Gold Coast are also giving investors the confidence to buy property. A new report by CoreLogic and Aussie Home Loans reveals Gold Coast homeowners have the fifth-highest average level of home equity (a property’s value minus debt held) in the state, at $184,25

 Aussie Home Loans executive chairman John Symond said the report showed property was the best investment in Australia and he expected that to remain due to low interest rates, population growth and a shortage of housing.

Unit sales at Surfers Paradise have surpassed the Melbourne CBD reflecting greater activity in the Glitter Strip..

He said increasing levels of home equity were making it more attractive for investors to purchase property.

“I’ve got no doubt homeowners are buying investment properties using equity built up in their home,” he said. Gold Coast investor Clive Taylor settled on his first purchase of an investment property in Surfers Paradise yesterday through Professionals Surfers Paradise sales agent Glen Smith. Mr Taylor, who has been buying and selling property on the Gold Coast for the past 15 years, bought a one-bedroom unit for $313,000 in the Olympus building on the corner of The Esplanade and View Ave.

He said improvements, including an upgrade of Cavill Mall, had helped convince him to buy. He said his unit, a holiday let, is booked out until the end of the month and has a net yield of 10 per cent.

Source from AMMelanie Burgess CareerOne deputy editor -news.com.au

The mastermind behind Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld, has put his unusual home on the market

John Longhurst’s home at 105 Wongawallan Rd, Tamborine Mountain is now on the market.

 

THE man behind the Gold Coast’s most famous theme park has put his house on the market. No surprise the home is so unusual.

John Longhurst is selling his mansion at 105 Wongawallan Rd, at Eagle Heights, just outside of North Tamborine.

The home has panoramic views of the Gold Coast and is decorated with strong American influences, complete with an elk antler chandelier, interior brick walls and multi-directional fireplace.

105 Wongawallan Rd Tamborine Mountain is now on the market.Source:Supplied

The 84-year-old Dreamworld developer has owned the property since 2010, after buying it from former Broadbeach councillor Eddy Sarroff.

“I’ve always loved America, ever since I first visited there, I also love deer and that’s why the chandelier has that element,” Mr Longhurst said.

105 Wongawallan Rd, Tamborine Mountain is now on the market. Picture: Kit WiseSource:News Limited

After a $5 million redevelopment of the home, the long-time Gold Coaster said it was “time to move on” from the hilltop property which has never been permanently occupied.

“I built it so my kids could go up there and enjoy it, but no one lives there, I haven’t lived there at all besides visiting on a weekend and taking my dogs for a run,” he said. “I now live elsewhere on the Coast.”

Continuing to be creative into his later years, the home is clearly one that has been built by someone who has a flair for design.

“I completely ripped it apart, added new windows, carpet, everything and now, in my opinion, it’s a pretty magnificent place,” Mr Longhurst said. “All my life I’ve liked to do things differently to other people and the home is no exception with its big high ceilings

John Longhurst’s home at 105 Wongawallan Rd Tamborine Mountain is now on the market.Source:Supplied

The home has a protruding rectangular section housing the master bedroom, a walk-in dressing room and an ensuite with a spa set in a marble podium that looks out to the view.

“When you’re in the bath and you look out on to the Gold Coast at night and the bush views all around, it’s like you’ve brought the outside inside. You almost have to see it to believe it,” Mr Longhurst said.

Outside, the home has a distinctive A-frame shape, with metal beams down one side of the home, designed to hide the pipes that travel down to a 80,000-litre water tank.

The property houses Mr Longhurst’s collection of vintage American cars. Picture: Kit Wise.Source:News Limited

The property also houses John’s collection of vintage American cars. Set on 7.1ha, it has two dams, hinterland and coastal views and a selection of rainforest tracks.

It also has the makings of a racetrack, originally dug to create a Dreamworld-style steam train on the property.

Sales agent Lucy Cole, of Lucy Cole Prestige Properties, said the track could potentially be converted into a go-kart track or even skateboarding area.

Source from Alexandria Utting-News Corp Australia Network

Central suburbs Robina and Varsity Lakes will be transformed in 35 years

Robina Business Alliance’s vision for Robina and Varsity Lakes by 2050.

A 300ha “Central Park” bordering Cbus Super Stadium is the cornerstone of a new “vision” for the Robina-Varsity Lakes area.

The Robina Business Alliance yesterday unveiled its concept for the expansive precinct, reminiscent of London’s South Bank, with president Ben Burgess saying they believed the suburb had the potential to grow into a CBD “that will complement Southport”.

An aerial photo of the Varsity and Robina area looking towards Surfers Paradise.Source:Supplied

Built around eco-tourism and sports, the new Robina-Varsity Lakes will be connected by roads and bridges and integrate with existing major centres, including the health and education precincts at Robina Hospital and Bond University, and the Robina Town Centre.

The area will feature the large park, to be called CityPark, on empty land owned by the Gold Coast City Council and the Robina Group, alongside Cbus stadium.

Cameron McEvoy training at Bond University’s pool. Picture: Scott Fletcher

It will capitalise on existing waterways and could feature a hotel, low-rise dwellings, recreational, sporting and conference facilities and a large, public open-space area.

It is designed to encourage people to work, live and play in the area.

Robina Town Centre’s food court. Picture: Scott Fletcher

Mr Burgess said the park would be modelled on New York’s Central Park and Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay.

“We are looking to leading cities across the globe like New York, San Francisco and London — all of which are renowned for expansive parklands and green corridors,” he said.

“The plan is to give the stadium some breathing space and create a real events precinct.”

Robina Hospital.

If the plan comes to fruition, the number of residential dwellings in the area could reach 45,000 by 2050 and the amount of office floor space could increase by more than 50 per cent to 290,000sq m.

Mr Burgess said new light and heavy rail connections would be needed.

The RBA revealed its concept at a breakfast with social demographer Bernard Salt.

Mr Salt said Robina-Varsity Lakes was the Gold Coast’s next key office precinct and would increase to 100,000 people, provide 50,000 jobs and contribute $5.4 million to the Gold Coast economy by 2050.

Outgoing Robina and Varsity Lakes area councillor Jan Grew said she supported the concept plan and would support an upgrade to transport in the area.

Building for our future starts now

THE Gold Coast has to work with the infrastructure it has to cater for growth, rather than rely on dreams of alternate highways to save us from ­gridlock, says a leading social observer.

Demographer Bernard Salt yesterday told business leaders at Bond University that with the city’s population expected to double in the next 35 years, work on infrastructure was needed now.

“There is no great western corridor that is going to create a new version of the Gold Coast — what you see now is largely what you will see into the future,” he said.

“We are going to double the density, jobs, houses, the number of businesses.”

Mr Salt said the expected 561,000 extra new residents would need to be able to commute to major job centres.

“The Pacific Highway must be doubled, the heavy rail and the light rail must be extended and doubled to make this city work at 1.2 million people,” he said. “(You have) stage 2 of the light rail up to Helensvale — I want stage 3.

“If you are going to double the size of this city, if you are going to have 1.2 million ­people to this place by 2050, I want heavy rail, I want light rail, I want motorways, I want strong, vibrant regional centres … that’s what would make the city work.”

Mr Salt also suggested a “containerisation” of centres such as Coolangatta and Robina so people did not have to travel too far to work.

“If you live in Coolangatta, why would you go for a job right up to the north?” he said.

“Why wouldn’t you decentralise and have strong regional centres where you work, play and have education.”

Mr Salt’s calls were echoed by Robina-Varsity Business Alliance president Ben Burgess, who said a light rail connection to Robina train station would help realise the alliance’s vision for the area

Source from Alexandria Utting-News Corp Australia Network