The Surfers Paradise Transit Centre could receive a significant new lease on life if a new proposal goes ahead. In a media statement, Council of the City of Gold Coast outlined the potential uses for the venue included ‘for live music and cabaret shows, banquets and other corporate events, while also creating ancillary spaces that could be established for art workshops, music studios, education, civic events and community focused co-working spaces’. Division 10 Councillor Darren Taylor said the location of the Transit Centre and the history of the site made this decision an easy one. In January, Council resolved to keep Bruce Bishop Car Park and the Transit Centre and as such the community expectation is that we will improve and make this precinct a successful proposition that works for them,” Cr Taylor said. “The centre has been under-utilised for a number of years and if we can transform this building, while retaining its unique features, we can create a multi-purpose civic asset that the community can be proud of and artists will want to perform at.”

Early concepts of the venue suggest a maximum capacity of 2800 (2200 standing capacity in the main hall) as well as a wrap-around mezzanine balcony on three sides. Council has committed $200,000 to progress the proposal for detailed design and analysis, with a future budgetary consideration to progress the project in 2024-25. Cr Taylor added that initial consultation with key stakeholders within the city including community organisations, business operators within Surfers Paradise and music venue operators had been very positive.

Image credit: artist impression, supplied