GOLD COAST URBAN HERITAGE & CHARACTER STUDY i Allom Lovell MarquisKyle * Henshall Hansen Associates * Context * HJM * Staddon Consulting GOLD COAST URBAN HERITAGE & CHARACTER STUDY This is a digital re-publication of the 1997 Gold Coast Urban Heritage & Character Study. Notes: 1. This document does not contain the Appendices of the original publication which is available for viewing at Gold Coast City Council libraries 2. Maps contained within this document have not been updated to reflect the current City of Gold Coast boundaries. On 15 March 2008, as part of a local government reform process, that the Beenleigh-Eagleby region on the Gold Coast's northern border was transferred to Logan City. The Gold Coast Urban Heritage & Character Study was prepared by Allom Lovell Marquis-Kyle, Henshall Hansen Associates, Context, HJM, Staddon Consulting and adopted by Gold Coast City Council on 19 December 1997. The principal author is Richard Allom First published December 1997, 2nd Edition May 2000 Copyright Gold Coast City Council 2000 ISBN No. 1 74057 001 4 Contents of this document may be reproduced provided its source is acknowledged ii Allom Lovell Marquis-Kyle * Henshall Hansen Associates * Context * HJM * Staddon Consulting GOLD COAST URBAN HERITAGE & CHARACTER STUDY FOREWORD As it matures, the Gold Coast, like many other Australian cities, is asking of itself “What is our heritage and how can that essential character that sets us apart from other places, be recognised, promoted and protected?” In essence, the Urban Heritage and Character Study has been undertaken to answer this question. Through the Corporate Plan, Council is committed to protecting and enhancing the beauty, appeal and sustainability of this City. The Study directly addresses two of the key objectives of Council’s Corporate Plan: Culture and Diversity and Local Character. Culture and Diversity: To enhance the choices available for living, working, learning, religious activities, recreation and entertainment by promoting diversity and recognising the distinctive history, location and culture of the Gold Coast. Local Character: To recognise the importance of neighbourhood identity in the Gold Coast, and its role in developing a distinctive character and urban form. While the fast population growth of this City causes ever increasing pressure on the natural and built environments, the challenge to Council and the community is: to support that growth without losing what people come here for; and, to enhance the image of the region as a whole, and the identity of its distinctive local character areas. In June 1996, Council engaged consultants Allom Lovell Marquis-Kyle and others to undertake a preliminary study of urban heritage and character conservation issues for this city. This document is a result of that work. It provides and understanding of what constitutes the City’s heritage and character, through its series of essays about the history, culture and architecture of the Gold Coast, identification of themes and description of special character areas. The study then recommends a meaningful framework within which Council and the community can work, to conserve and enhance that heritage and special character. It is important to note that implementation of these recommendations will not radically change the way the planning system operates. The range of recommendations go beyond the normal statutory approach to heritage and character conservation. The overall emphasis is on education and incentives rather than regulatory means. This study shows Gold Coast City an opportunity to define a unique approach to conservation of the heritage and character of its built environment. Progress of the Study has been overseen by an Urban Heritage & Character Technical Steering Taskgroup, which comprised representatives from Council, the Cultural Heritage Branch of the Department of Environment, and the community. I take this opportunity to thank the following community members for their contribution to this project. Mr James Weate (Southport Preservation & Renewal Society), Mr Arnold Wolthers (architect), Mr Don Williamson (Architect & Chairman of the Property Council of Australia) Dr Tommy Thomas (National Trust) Mr Craig Mercer (Urban Planner) Mr Greg Forgan-Smith and Mr Greg Kearney (Urban Design Advisory Panel), Ms Deborah Kelly (Property Industry Advisory Committee) and Mr Brian Talbot (Environment Advisory Committee). Gary Baildon MAYOR iii Allom Lovell Marquis-Kyle * Henshall Hansen Associates * Context * HJM * Staddon Consulting GOLD COAST URBAN HERITAGE & CHARACTER STUDY CONTENTS 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................................................... 3 2. THIS STUDY/THIS DOCUMENT .............................................................................................................................. 5 3. ABOUT HERITAGE & CHARACTER.......................................................................................................................... 9 3.1 HERITAGE...................................................................................................................................10 3.2 CHARACTER...............................................................................................................................11 3.3 AMENITY .....................................................................................................................................12 3.4 TASTE..........................................................................................................................................12 4. HISTORY & THEMES ................................................................................................................................................. 14 4.1 THE GOLD COAST: A HISTORY................................................................................................16 4.2 THEMES IN HISTORY.................................................................................................................22 4.3 STRANGE ALCHEMY: THE GOLD COAST AS A CULTURAL PHENOMENON.......................24 4.4 ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING.............................................................................................31 4.5 THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................38 4.6 FURTHER READING...................................................................................................................45 5. PLACES & SITES.........................................................................................................................................................46 5.1 CHARACTER AREAS..................................................................................................................47 5.2 LOCAL CHARACTER ..................................................................................................................52 5.3 THE THINGS WE WANT TO KEEP ............................................................................................81 5.4 HERITAGE REGISTERS.............................................................................................................81 6. STAKEHOLDERS: CONFLICT & OPPORTUNITIES............................................................................................ 86 6.1 STAKEHOLDERS ........................................................................................................................87 6.2 PERCEPTION, ATTITUDE AND VALUE.....................................................................................88 6.3 TOWN PLANNING, URBAN DESIGN AND HERITAGE LEGISLATION ....................................90 6.4 OPPORTUNITIES AT THE GOLD COAST .................................................................................92 7. CASE STUDIES......................................................................................................................................................... 104 7.1 CANE FIELDS............................................................................................................................105 7.2 BROADBEACH TERRACES .....................................................................................................106 7.3 MAIN BEACH PAVILIONS.........................................................................................................107 7.4 MUDGEERABA VILLAGE..........................................................................................................108 8. FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................................................................... 109 8.1 THE GOLD AND THE GREEN ..................................................................................................110 8.2 HERITAGE.................................................................................................................................110 8.3 CHARACTER.............................................................................................................................112 8.4 SUMMARY OF ISSUES/OPPORTUNITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS...............................113 9. APPENDICES (NOT AVAILABLE IN PDF VERSION) 9.1 THEMES 9.2 READING 9.3 MARKET RESEARCH 9.4 POSTCARDS PROGRAM 9.5 LEGISLATION 9.6 USEFUL CONTACTS iv Allom Lovell Marquis-Kyle * Henshall Hansen Associates * Context * HJM * Staddon Consulting GOLD COAST URBAN HERITAGE & CHARACTER STUDY 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Urban