Press Release

24 June, 2010

Robina HQ site right decision

AFTER decades of at times vociferous debate the future heart of the Gold Coast has finally been decided – and Robina it is.

The announcement by the Gold Coast City Council that thousands of jobs will move south to a building to be constructed on the newly acquired Robina site is a major step forward for the Gold Coast – and long overdue.

The decision obviates the need for a mythical ‘Taj Mahal’ to be built that would house the entire city council staff, something which in a linear city like the Gold Coast was always going to be a near impossibility to achieve. Although Mayor Clarke has said that two other council offices are earmarked for Coomera and Southport to spread the load, presumably in addition to the Nerang offices, it is clear Robina is to be the headquarters.

And it is the right decision. The arguments about possible other sites have gone round and round in circles and have at all times been narrowly parochial.

The decision by the council to buy the prime parcel of land in Robina – and the canny decision of the Robina Land Corporation to sell it at a good price – means the great debate has come to an end. And about time.

Along with its obvious advantages of having plenty of greenspace room for expansion, the Robina site benefits from its close proximity to the transport hubs of the M1 and railroad arterials.

Robina already boasts first-class shopping and office facilities, a first-rate university and broadband communications. But our endorsement of the Robina decision should not be seen as denigrating other contending areas it is purely based on the logic behind the Robina decision.

Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach remains the tourist and entertainment hubs of the city, Southport will remain the historical heart of the city and will continue to prosper, while Coomera and other northern suburbs continue to demand council attention because of their phenomenal growth.

That said, the Robina decision will inevitably colour all other council decisions and aid in giving the city a planning cohesiveness and direction it has previously lacked.