Transport & Infrastructure (T&I) - 28 April 2026

Article-worthy topics

• Barrier Reef Drive footpath petition refused
  Council did not support the petition seeking reconsideration of the proposed footpath along Barrier Reef Drive, Mermaid Waters, and noted the project remains in the City's 10-year capital investment program subject to future budget consideration.
  Residents in Mermaid Waters should expect the footpath proposal to remain planned rather than cancelled, though timing still depends on future budgets.

Key decisions

• Barrier Reef Drive footpath petition refused
  Council did not support the petition seeking reconsideration of the proposed footpath along Barrier Reef Drive, Mermaid Waters, and noted the project remains in the City's 10-year capital investment program subject to future budget consideration.
  Residents in Mermaid Waters should expect the footpath proposal to remain planned rather than cancelled, though timing still depends on future budgets.
• Splice Street footpath petition refused
  Council did not support the petition asking for works to cease in Splice Street, Mermaid Waters, noting the footpath is already complete.
  Nearby residents and users now have confirmation that the completed footpath will remain in place.
• Parking restriction signage endorsed for Mermaid Beach to Burleigh Heads traffic area
  Council endorsed installation of parking restriction signage for the Mermaid Beach to Burleigh Heads Traffic Area under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995. The area will become operational when Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 passenger services commence. Officers must write to impacted residents at least 4 weeks before signage installation, outlining changes and permit requirements.
  Residents and visitors in the light rail corridor should expect new parking controls and permit arrangements before Stage 3 opens.
• Lime appointed for new shared e-bike contract
  Council noted Lime Network Pty Ltd as the successful tenderer to operate the City of Gold Coast Shared e-Bike Scheme under a new contract effective from 16 December 2025, with operations commencing on 1 July 2026. The contract includes a revenue stream to be used for future active transport initiatives, and annual performance reporting to the committee was added.
  E-bike users can expect Lime to continue operating the scheme from July 2026, with oversight of parking, performance and improvements.
• Permanent pedestrianisation backed for Surfers Paradise Esplanade
  Council endorsed permanent pedestrianisation of the Esplanade in Surfers Paradise (Option 1), subject to necessary due diligence and approvals for infrastructure works. The project is included for consideration in the draft 2026-27 four-year capital works program.
  Residents, businesses and visitors in Surfers Paradise may see long-term traffic and public space changes if final approvals and funding proceed.
• Open Space Strategic Plan 2026-2046 adopted
  Council adopted the Open Space Strategic Plan 2026-2046 to guide infrastructure planning and long-term use of the City's open space land and assets.
  This sets a long-term framework for how parks and open spaces are planned, upgraded and managed across the city.
• Northern Beaches coastal protection project moved into community engagement
  In confidential session, Council noted progress on the Northern Beaches Protection project, approved commencement of Phase 1 community engagement, and requested a future report after Phase 2 identifying the preferred solution, required funding, delivery method, and temporary community impacts with mitigation.
  Residents near the Northern Beaches can expect consultation to begin on major coastal protection options before a final solution is chosen.

Important topics

• Car share annual update noted
  Council noted the annual update on the car share program without recording a policy change in the extracted text.
  This indicates the service remains under review, but no immediate change for users is identified here.
• Surfers Paradise pedestrianisation was contested
  A foreshadowed motion sought to defer permanent pedestrianisation of the Esplanade until mid-2027 and gather more business and consumer data, but the committee instead supported proceeding with Option 1.
  Some concerns about timing and evidence remain, which may matter to local businesses and road users as the project advances.
• Northern Beaches protection options under assessment
  Background material indicates the project is assessing options such as mass nourishment, artificial reef and artificial headland solutions to address erosion and sand deficit at Main Beach and Narrowneck.
  Future decisions could affect beach access, amenity, resilience works and temporary construction impacts in the northern coastal area.

Resident impacts

• Mermaid Waters residents received clear outcomes on two footpath petitions: one future project remains planned, while one completed footpath will stay.
• Households in the Mermaid Beach to Burleigh Heads corridor should watch for letters about new parking restrictions and permit requirements before signage is installed.
• Shared e-bike users should expect Lime to operate the city scheme from 1 July 2026 under a new contract, with future active transport funding linked to scheme revenue.
• Surfers Paradise residents, businesses and visitors may see the Esplanade become permanently pedestrianised if due diligence, approvals and capital funding are completed.
• Northern Beaches communities can expect early-stage consultation on coastal protection works, with the preferred solution and funding still to come.

Places affected

• Mermaid Waters (suburb)
  Footpath petition responses for Barrier Reef Drive and Splice Street.
• Barrier Reef Drive, Mermaid Waters (road)
  Proposed footpath retained in the 10-year capital program subject to budget consideration.
• Splice Street, Mermaid Waters (road)
  Completed footpath confirmed despite petition seeking works to cease.
• Mermaid Beach to Burleigh Heads Traffic Area (traffic area)
  Parking restriction signage endorsed ahead of Light Rail Stage 3 operations.
• Surfers Paradise Esplanade (road/public space)
  Permanent pedestrianisation supported subject to approvals and due diligence.
• Surfers Paradise (suburb)
  Revitalisation project area and Esplanade pedestrianisation decision.
• Main Beach and Narrowneck (coastal area)
  Part of the Northern Beaches coastal protection project and erosion response planning.
• Northern Beaches (coastal area)
  Community engagement to begin on protection project options.

Next steps

• Advise lead petitioners of Council's decisions on the Barrier Reef Drive and Splice Street footpath petitions.
  After the meeting
• Write to impacted residents in the Mermaid Beach to Burleigh Heads traffic area about parking changes and permit requirements.
  At least 4 weeks before parking restriction signage is installed
• Commence Lime-operated shared e-bike scheme under the new contract.
  Operations from 1 July 2026
• Present annual performance reports on the Shared e-Bike Scheme, including virtual and physical parking areas and improvements.
  Annually
• Undertake due diligence, approvals and budget consideration for permanent pedestrianisation works on the Surfers Paradise Esplanade.
  Next stages, including draft 2026-27 capital works consideration
• Begin Phase 1 community engagement for the Northern Beaches Protection project.
  Following the meeting
• Bring a future report on the Northern Beaches Protection project identifying the preferred solution, funding, delivery method, and temporary impacts with mitigation.
  After completion of Phase 2

Extracted minutes text

867 UNCONFIRMED MINUTES TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY 28 APRIL 2026 1:00PM Meeting commenced at 1:02pm City of Gold Coast Council Chambers 135 Bundall Road Surfers Paradise 867 Meeting of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee Unconfirmed Minutes Tuesday 28 April 2026 ORDER OF BUSINESS 1 ATTENDANCE/APOLOGIES .................................................................... 3 2 LEAVE OF ABSENCE ............................................................................... 3 3 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES ................................................................ 3 4 CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS ........................................... 3 5 COMMITTEE F...