Dredged sand to expand Broadwater Parklands at two locations
Southport Broadwater Parklands is about to grow by more than four hectares.
The parklands will be widened in two separate locations in a reclamation program that will provide an additional new events space for the city and a unique mangrove habitat which will be a reminder of a bygone era.
Both areas are being created as part of the overall master plan for the parklands which was launched by Premier Anna Bligh in 2007.
Recycled sand from the dredging of two navigation channels in the Broadwater will be used to form the two new areas.
Dredging is expected to begin in early March and take nearly four months to pump approximately 100,000 cubic metres of sand from the Southern Channel, near the Seaway entrance, and South Wave Break Channel.
Mayor Ron Clarke said the reclaimed areas would add greatly to the attraction of the parklands and would complement the $36 million Stage One Broadwater Parklands project that was now rapidly taking shape.
He said Council was providing $1.2 million towards the dredging operation, with the balance of $300,000 coming from Queensland Transport.
“The amount of dredged sand to be deposited at the reclamation sites will be equivalent to filling the Titans’ football ground at Robina to a depth of more than 15 metres.
‘Following the reclamation process, we expect to spend several million dollars in landscaping the two new areas,” said Cr Clarke.
The first area - which will be near the existing southern children’s playground and swimming enclosure - will be planted with dune vegetation, lawn and shade-providing Casuarina trees, and will allow open access to the beach area.
Its large open lawn area will also give the Gold Coast an additional high quality space in which major events can take place.
The second area - north of the existing boat ramp - will be an environmental offsets zone that will have a section of existing seagrass transplanted from the first area. It will also include a 1.2 hectare fish and mangrove habitat, and visitor interpretation pathway.
A wetland that is presently being constructed in the central section of the Stage One parklands redevelopment, will treat 3.2 hectares of previously untreated urban runoff to assist general seagrass growth in the Broadwater.
Additionally, Griffith University will be assisting Council with fisheries research projects in the Broadwater.
Local area Councillor, Dawn Crichlow, said mangroves were once found in sections of the Nerang River and Broadwater estuarine areas but were gradually lost to urbanisation.
“It will be great for the community to have both of these new features. They can either explore them, or simply relax in beautiful surroundings.
“The addition of the reclaimed areas will enhance the Broadwater Parklands as a community asset,” said Cr Crichlow.
The dredging and reclamation works have been approved in accordance with the provisions of relevant State Government legislation. None of the work will be carried out in protected fish or bird habitats.
The parklands will be widened in two separate locations in a reclamation program that will provide an additional new events space for the city and a unique mangrove habitat which will be a reminder of a bygone era.
Both areas are being created as part of the overall master plan for the parklands which was launched by Premier Anna Bligh in 2007.
Recycled sand from the dredging of two navigation channels in the Broadwater will be used to form the two new areas.
Dredging is expected to begin in early March and take nearly four months to pump approximately 100,000 cubic metres of sand from the Southern Channel, near the Seaway entrance, and South Wave Break Channel.
Mayor Ron Clarke said the reclaimed areas would add greatly to the attraction of the parklands and would complement the $36 million Stage One Broadwater Parklands project that was now rapidly taking shape.
He said Council was providing $1.2 million towards the dredging operation, with the balance of $300,000 coming from Queensland Transport.
“The amount of dredged sand to be deposited at the reclamation sites will be equivalent to filling the Titans’ football ground at Robina to a depth of more than 15 metres.
‘Following the reclamation process, we expect to spend several million dollars in landscaping the two new areas,” said Cr Clarke.
The first area - which will be near the existing southern children’s playground and swimming enclosure - will be planted with dune vegetation, lawn and shade-providing Casuarina trees, and will allow open access to the beach area.
Its large open lawn area will also give the Gold Coast an additional high quality space in which major events can take place.
The second area - north of the existing boat ramp - will be an environmental offsets zone that will have a section of existing seagrass transplanted from the first area. It will also include a 1.2 hectare fish and mangrove habitat, and visitor interpretation pathway.
A wetland that is presently being constructed in the central section of the Stage One parklands redevelopment, will treat 3.2 hectares of previously untreated urban runoff to assist general seagrass growth in the Broadwater.
Additionally, Griffith University will be assisting Council with fisheries research projects in the Broadwater.
Local area Councillor, Dawn Crichlow, said mangroves were once found in sections of the Nerang River and Broadwater estuarine areas but were gradually lost to urbanisation.
“It will be great for the community to have both of these new features. They can either explore them, or simply relax in beautiful surroundings.
“The addition of the reclaimed areas will enhance the Broadwater Parklands as a community asset,” said Cr Crichlow.
The dredging and reclamation works have been approved in accordance with the provisions of relevant State Government legislation. None of the work will be carried out in protected fish or bird habitats.
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