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Shannon Willoughby, chief reporter | February 13th, 2013
BURLEIGH Heads MP Michael Hart has unveiled detailed concept plans to transform the Boral quarry in West Burleigh into a multibillion-dollar international events precinct featuring a cable ski park, amphitheatre and a major concert venue.
Mr Hart wants to put the southern Gold Coast on the map, “throwing out” ideas on what the quarry could become once its mining lifecycle ends.
Boral, which owns the site, estimates it has around seven to 10 years of rock resources left to mine.
Following that, it will relocate its operations to another site further west.
“For too long the southern end has been ignored. I would love to see something like this down here,” said Mr Hart. “I am putting it out there that this is a good site that could have a precinct like this,” he said.
“This concept could be lifted and used anywhere in the southern Gold Coast.”
Mr Hart said a lot of the Gold Coast’s investment and job creation projects were in the north and it was time the southern end had the spotlight on it.
The ambitious plans also feature water sports, adventure play areas, rock climbing and abseiling using the rock faces and a permanent outdoor concert facility, like Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens, for big events.
The proposal includes a similar attraction to the Red Rocks entertainment precinct in Colorado with “sculptural land art” in the background.
In addition, the plan allows for touch football facilities, a bus drop-off area and playgrounds.
“It is a massive site and it could be open to a number of different things. Having something like this in the southern end would also help the push to see the light rail extend further south,” he said.
Burleigh Heads councillor Greg Betts said he was supportive of Mr Hart’s push to see the community brainstorming about what the future site could hold.
He said some residents would be concerned if there were loud concerts, but other ideas that had been raised included a national BMX centre or as a landfill site for Gold Coast City Council.
“I think it is good that we start planning ahead now, listening to the community and thinking about masterplanning the area,” he said.
Boral, which has been operating the quarry since 1983, said it was too early to look at plans for the site.
“Boral will take account of the land use activities in the immediate vicinity when developing its plans for the West Burleigh Quarry site after operations cease,” a spokeswoman said last night.
