This week, Gold Coast Waterways Authority released their Precinct Plan for the Top of The Spit — the area comprising the Seaway Promenade, Doug Jennings Park, Moondarewa Spit, Marine Stadium aka Bums Bay, and the Sand Bypass System. This area also includes the Seaway Kiosk, the adjacent toilet/shower block and the dive steps.

You may have read Andrew Potts’ piece about the Plan in Monday’s Bulletin where the heading referred to pavilions and a tower being part of the ‘revamp’. The media release sent to the Bulletin was misleading and there are no plans for pavilions and a tower in the foreseeable future.

If you love the Top of The Spit, please take the time to look carefully at the Precinct Plan and send in your comments—positive or negative. This can be done by completing the electronic form OR by emailing Spitmasterplan@gcwa.qld.gov.au.

At first glance, The Main Beach Association has major objections to two aspects of the Top of the Spit Precinct Plan.

1. The removal of the road and parking area facing the Seaway.

Sure, the Plan looks beautiful, but if carried out it would do away with the very popular pastime of viewing the Seaway from the comfort of a car. In particular, it would discriminate against people with limited mobility—including families with babies.

And who doesn’t love to to enjoy a takeaway from the Kiosk in their car while watching boats, jet skis, divers, surf board paddlers, visiting dolphins and the occasional whale?  And who hasn’t parked by the Seaway to admire a brilliant sunset?

These attractions are unique to the Seaway and can be experienced by anyone, regardless of their level of fitness or mobility.  As well, divers with heavy equipment need to be able to park close to the dive steps and showers. This would no longer be possible if the road is removed.

2. We are strongly opposed to a Wild Play area being included in the Plan.

It contradicts the purpose of this area which is to provide low key, natural experiences. Kids need to be running along the beach, fishing or riding their bikes and scooters. If they are desperate for play equipment, there are plenty of options across the water at Broadwater Parklands.

Of course there are many great things in the Precinct Plan and we congratulate Gold Coast Waterways for a fine piece of work.

We note that it includes many of the recommendations made by the MBA, particularly regarding the management of Marine Stadium.

Whatever your brickbats or bouquets may be, please advise Waterways by the deadline of Sunday 19 November.