Esplanade Road Closure
Esplanade Road Closure Survey – Comments
About This Survey
The survey remains open and quantitative data is still being collected, however written submissions do not change once submitted and can be published as they are received. The comments below are verbatim responses from participants and reflect a diverse range of views, experiences and concerns—from traffic congestion and access issues to business performance, tourism impacts, pedestrian activity and safety.
These statements have been reproduced exactly as submitted, in chronological order, without editing for spelling or grammar.
The Comments
Please describe the biggest positive or negative impact of the road closure on your business.
November 16, 2025 4:48 AM
The fact the Esplande traffic has increased traffic flow onto Orchid and Ferny Ave, as well as Chevron Island and Southport Burleigh Rd.
November 16, 2025 4:22 AM
Business is down 15%. Locals aren’t coming in.
Whether Surfers needs the foreshore revitalised is debatable. But anything they have done could’ve been done whilst keeping the road open (apart from dining areas on the road).
The only people to benefit are the three restaurants and the Surf Club who have increased their capacities significantly at little cost (are the even paying?).
November 16, 2025 2:05 AM
Negative for tourists waiting for their Uber - I see them cancel because I cannot reach them. Negative for my earnings capabilities due to traffic congestion- we don’t get paid until the rider gets in the car - not going to be unpaid for 30-40 minutes because I can’t pick up.
November 14, 2025 8:20 PM
No change we are off the Blvd, where walknyvtrafiic is the same. Reduction in numbers is partly due to cost of living pressures and generally a 10-20% decline in tourist and day tripper numbers
November 7, 2025 12:13 PM
Cant get anywhere
November 4, 2025 11:56 PM
Business is an online business so not affected.
November 4, 2025 3:41 AM
Guests arrive being frustrated or angry, staff are late for work, taxis and inverse won’t collect passengers.
November 4, 2025 3:21 AM
I drive ride share Uber, the closure impacts my ability to access riders in a quick and efficient way. If traffic flow stagnates as it does at present,the added time it takes me to pick up passengers impacts negatively on my earnings as Uber does not pay drivers to pick passengers up. The added pressure also creates dangerous situations in Orchid Av,with more people trying to navigate the crowded Cavill Av/Orchid Av precinct.
November 3, 2025 8:11 AM
As per previous comment, the streets can't handle the volumes of traffic, let alone closing a major thoroughfare.
November 3, 2025 12:52 AM
There is difficulty accessing the area
November 3, 2025 12:20 AM
I am not a local business owner and didn't tick that box.
November 2, 2025 11:50 PM
No tourists
November 2, 2025 11:44 PM
Less customer's
November 2, 2025 8:40 PM
As a Taxi driver I avoid Surfers Paradise during busy times and work either North or South. Having school aged children has made living untenable in Surfers Paradise. If it is made permanent I will be forced to sell our much loved apartment. Shame on you council for this decision to disrupt our lives and disregard the opinion of local residents.
November 2, 2025 6:14 AM
Safety
November 2, 2025 5:43 AM
Increased dwell time for customers. The Esplanade 150m each side of the sign has become less about moving through, but more about dwelling, enjoying the scenery, activations, people watching, etc.
Engagements with council have been excellent
November 1, 2025 12:39 AM
They have compare this trial to other places that have trains 4 lane highways and not such high residental density. Tourists can not get anywhere workers cant get to work and once you are here you cant get out
October 30, 2025 7:57 AM
Delivery drivers. People not coming into surfers due ro road conjestion
October 25, 2025 1:39 AM
Visitors to my store are up. As most of my customers don't drive to my store, they are in hotels and walk to us. The freedom to move about us wonderful.
October 23, 2025 8:18 AM
It's stopping the drive market which is so important to surfers.
October 6, 2025 8:32 AM
Customers drive to Surfers Paradise word gets around what a nightmare it is to get into Surfers so they stay away
October 6, 2025 1:52 AM
Less locals
Please describe the biggest positive or negative impact of the road closure on you personally.
Jan 26 2026
I loved my daily drive to work along the esplanade, one of the main reasons I moved to Surfers. Now traffic is much worse and my daily travel time is increasing. Additionally, local people were not canvassed prior to the closure, we felt we were given no say.
Dec 28, 2025
There is nothing positive about the road closure, Surfers Paradise now has a freeway for scooters, bikes which pedestrians now have to dodge !!!! There is nothing positive atmosphere it feels like a ghost town, the drive into surfers takes so much longer and is so congested. The move to pedestrianise the area is the worst decision the council has made, it needs to reopen but the will not listen to the people who it effects already they have an extension WHY ? It needs to be open again and let the life surge back into Surfers Paradise.
Nov 28, 2025
As a resident living on the Esplanade it has affected my daily travel greatly especially returning home of an afternoon and early evening some days adding half hour to one hour to my trip, it may not seem like a lot but to someone not wanting to be in bumper to bumper traffic just wanting to get home it is a lot
Nov 24, 2025
I am so angry about the closure. The thing we loved doing the most since moving to the Gold Coast was the drives up The Esplanade. To see all the hustle and bustle of the area and they amazing vibe of the place. The council has extended the trial without notification to the residents. They are being selfish and dishonest in their intent. Ive had interstate tourist come to say who were not impressed with the area at all. The only ones benefiting are the restaurants who have put out some extra tables and chairs. The traffic is at a gridlock, tourists unable to access transport, workers in the area being delayed, gave spoken to council workers who have told me this. I have been observing the area, no one goes to Durfers to hang out in a closed street. Everyone is on the beach or strolling on the footpath. The council needs to be replaced. We should do a vote. No one I knows likes the road closure. Three roads to get into Surfers and only one accessible to motorists. Surfers Blvd partly closed because of the tram and the esplanade closed, only Gold Coast Hwy gets you into Surfers now. Elkhorn Rd which became a rwo way street, is now closed from turning into it from the esplanade both ways. The council members are out of touch with reality. Residents need to listened to.
Nov 23, 2025
There have been no positive effects, however there are a few negative points, such as constant traffic gridlocks along the GC highway from north to south. Journeys which used to take 15 minutes now take 30 minutes. Taxi drivers and delivery people refusing service due to traffic gridlock. Just going to Isle of Capri from Main Beach can take 30 minutes as it did a few weeks ago going to a restaurant. Perhaps cleaning up the rest of Surfers Paradise would see money better spent rather than closing a thorough fare.
Nov 19, 2025
Traffic during commute to Surfers
Nov 18, 2025
Visiting the Esplanade has been a much more pleasant experience without vehicles. The noise of some vehicles is anti-social and the volume of vehicles makes crossing the Esplanade (even with pedestrian-crossings) a hit and miss affair. Most drivers are of-course law-abiding and mindful of pedestrians. It is the others, drivers who are simply too busy, impatient, arrogant or ignorant, to give way to pedestrians.
Nov 17, 2025
All major cities, world wide have pedestrian only strips. Cavill isn't enough. It's much safer for children and grateful with less hooning.. It hasn't impacted me negatively and I commute from surfers to tallebudgera daily
Nov 16, 2025
So much time wasted just sitting in traffic. Chevron Island access to Bundall Road beyond is a carpark! On market days, you actually have to walk on the edge of the roundabout (near Surf Club) to gain access to the Esplanade as the stalls block any other access Serious safety issue. On another note, the changes look cheap and nasty — similar to those bad high school manual arts projects… Dreadful…
Nov 16, 2025
Closure of one of only two direct road access they the middle of a central area of a city , without that having a severe impact on traffic flow makes zero sense. Our central area of needs to encourage business, and local consumers. Not disincentive this. Surfers needs more than nail salons, kebab shops , and real estate offices, if it is going to grow and prosper as a city. We are not a Club Med resort, on the beach. People actually live here.
Nov 16, 2025
My business has had a 15% decline since the closure. Prior to closure we were up on last year now we are down because our local customers (who drive) don’t come anymore. Personally I used to shop in Surfers, now I only shop in surfers if I am already in the area.
Nov 16, 2025
I am an Uber driver and since the road closures I avoid picking up anyone in the precinct that will extend the length of time to pickup and negatively impact in my earning ability (sometimes 30 minutes to traverse Orchid) and I also get off the road ie park my car early to avoid the congestion - it’s not good for mental health.
Nov 15, 2025
The plans for the redevelopment look world class and finally a showcase at the front of mall after all the temporary wasted mall removations
Nov 12, 2025
Everyone wants to experience Surfers Paradise!! The whole world uses social media for ACCESS, and advertising! This is what the esplanade is for Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast. It’s why people come to see the iconic esplanade, so they can experience what they see in movies, social feeds, photos etc! It’s the best advertising the GC can have! People who come and stay in Surfers paradise, want action and to be seen and heard, otherwise you would pick Burleigh or Currumbin!! You are closing off the main attraction!! Monaco has their main esplanade to drive through. Nice! Miami Florida, also does too!! People in these areas want to be seen and heard and advertise!! It’s like closing down Tedder Ave in main beach or Charles Ave/Surf pde Broadbeach, or Pacific Pde in Currumbin!! Craziness!! OPEN THE ESPLANADE UP AND ADVERTISE TO THE WORLD SURFERS PARADISE AND THE GC!!
Nov 7, 2025
Its a precirser to beach bars and restraunts on the beach. Those businesses who like it are in for a rude shock if when that happens. One once they can put buildings on the beach next thing high rises. Im sure this is the actual plan. Do not tust our mayor. Surfers has started to grow to into family area but with the road closed familes cant get in due to traffic and they cant catch the tram they live west or have too much stuff or just do nt want to catch the dirty tram. And the bus is just a big car with other dirty people on it.
Nov 7, 2025
In my personal and professional opinion I think the closure of the esplanade was a big mistake. I don't see the point when the lights change every few minutes. Traffic has become chaotic with huge waits, people in the cars are aggressive and frustrated. We have been stuck numerous times sitting in the car not moving over 20 minutes. My staff are late, my clients are late and if this continues Surfers Paradise will get a really bad reputation for being a carpark without any carparks. This will absolutely have a negative impact on my business, in fact it already is. Not to mention it looks terrible. I have had residents complain that they can't get out of their buildings on orchid ave and emergency services access is now much more limited. I am in my 11th year of business here on Surfers Paradise Blvd and consider myself a big part of this community. Especially being a hairdresser we hear about everything. I can count on one hand the amount of people I know that think it's a good idea. It's frustrating that councill keep taking away infrastructure (carparks, roads etc) and not replacing it with anything. Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions. thanks, Broni
Nov 6, 2025
The closure isn’t safer. There are still bikes racing through and some vehicles do go through. Nearly how run over by a vehicle accessing the closed section. The time taken to get from one side of the closure to the other in a car is ridiculous. The closure has made traffic congestion much worse and there really is no way to lessen the traffic hairs apart from opening the Esplanade. Make it like Nerang street in Southport. That had tragic but has ensures to make it safe.
Nov 5, 2025
It is ridiculous. We live in North Surfers Paradise. We avoid the area now. No longer shop at Woolworths or Coles in Surfers. It has great negatively impact us. Open the road. We have lived for 20 years and it is making us miserable being stuck in traffic all the time. That road has been there for 100 years.
Nov 5, 2025
Biggest positive is the 90% decrease in hoons driving up and down and having their cars backfiring all night for absolutely no reason. Positive is having the Surf Club with outdoor seating on the street. This is extremely inviting for locals and tourists seem far more impressed with the area. I am in a wheelchair and it feels much safer in the open areas now. The biggest negative is not being able to drive along the front which is an iconic drive for a lot of people. I realise that sounds hypocritical when that is also a complaint I have about hoons doing the same thing.
Nov 5, 2025
I live in Brisbane with my family and we love to spend time on the coast. We usually go to Miami or Burleigh but visited Surfers Paradise out of curiosity when we heard about the closure. What we found was an area that is much safer, with things for the kids to do and a great almost european atmosphere where we can have our coffee or drinks sitting outside the resturant, watching the kids run and climb on the structures that have been added without worrying about traffic. It's quieter without the road noise, feels much safer for the kids and is finally a nice place to spend time (and money!). I spoke to some of the staff at the surf club recently and they said it's been fantastic for them. It sounds like it's much better for anyone that wants to spend time in the area shopping, eating, drinking. I really hope it stays - we have friends coming from overseas soon and we are hoping to take them to Surfers, but we won't if it goes back to just being a highway like it used to be.
Nov 5, 2025
It can take me up to twenty minutes just to get out of Orchid Avenue.
Nov 4, 2025
No more hooning on Fri and Sat nights. It easier to cross to the beach. Crowds are less congested. Hanlan st is no longer a race track.Nov 4, 2025Traffic in Orchid is a nightmare. No point trying to attract visitors into the precinct when you can’t get in or out of the place.
Nov 4, 2025
Neutral I like walking the Esplanade and don't believe the loss of traffic has an impact on trade.
Nov 3, 2025
The traffic is horrendous, adding a lot of time to my fault drive in and out of the area. I've looked at the setup and there's no reason council can't reopen the road and spread those amenities along the promenade.
Nov 3, 2025
The road closure does not impact me personally as we are retired we avoid peak hour traffic. We would often go for an early morning beach stroll and stop for a coffee in Surfers. We were curios to have look at the closure last week and I cannot understand why council would spend so much money on the tackiness of this concept. Everything looks cheap
1. Planter boxes built out of pallet boxes.
2. Lillypilly's are rainforest trees requiring a lot of water to maintain - a few were already dead. Why not something more tropical that can withstand the weather and be more inline with a beach feel.
3. Hammocks? How do they keep these clean and sterile? It would be like sleeping in someone else's bed sheets in a hotel. Although I'm sure the hammocks would benefit the homeless.
4. Why create a beach on footpath right next to a beautiful beach.
5. Perhaps this closure benefits the surf club and several cafes now that they can move more of their tables onto the road.
6. Driving along the esplanade was always a picturesque drive to be able to follow the coastline and view the tall buildings to get a feel of Surfers Paradise without necessarily stopping.
7. The road closure would be a nightmare for services - police, fire and ambulance to navigate around
Nov 3, 2025
Traffic jams on alternate roads has become much worse than prior to the closure especially when the Gold Coast is hosting events
Nov 3, 2025
Traffic is now gridlocked and it is difficult and time consuming to get anywhere
Nov 3, 2025
I have stayed in Surfers for 2-3 nights on two separate occasions since the temporary closure - including both weekend and weekday times. The atmosphere is so much better now than before. A lot of visitors and locals appear to be enjoying the increased open space, the direct connection without having to wait to cross. The businesses also seem busy and several commented on how much better it is now. While driving, I was surprised that traffic seemed no worse than before. While walking & using G:Link, the experience was world class. The Esplanade is not a high-volume traffic route and it is much better now than before. Please allow Surfers to offer similar attractiveness to that experienced in attractive international beach resort areas. Whatever you do, let's not go back to expecting the many pedestrians to use overhead bridges. This has been done before and was a failure.
Nov 3, 2025
Inconvenient passage from SP North to Broadbeach
Nov 3, 2025
It’s filthy dirty never anyone to clean it and looks like a rubbish dump at maccas.
Nov 3, 2025
Very heavy Traffic much earlier since Esplanade closure. Traffic jam's daily on Cavill & ,Orchid Ave,Sunshine Boulevard,Ferny Rd,Chevron island..
Nov 3, 2025
It makes Surfers Paradise living untenable. Every property in Orchid Avenue, Ellen Avenue and other grid locked areas has been devalued by 100’s of thousand dollars. The council and particularly Rod Taylor failed to head the traffic chaos closing the Esplanade caused during 2 previous long closures for the air show. Shame on you Rod Taylor for not representing residents. Shame on you for wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on this failed trial that you were already aware of the traffic chaos it would cause. Resign in disgrace before you are voted out at the next local government election.
Nov 2, 2025
No negative impact at all. Everyone i have spoken too love the new esplanade. Even tourists i have heard say how wonderful the esplanade is. Everyone is excited. The traffic has always been the same, there's good and bad times just like before. The hoons and rev heads come and pose.
Nov 2, 2025
It will stop all the dickwad hoons that just cruise around and around on Friday and Saturday nights revving engines and just being general idiots. Hopefully the morons will go somewhere else.
Nov 2, 2025
People enjoying the ease of movement between Cavill Ave and the beach. Increased public safety without a road and high powered vehicles screaming past the Sign. Increased activation and seating for the surf club and Soul Restaurants.
Nov 2, 2025
Substantial increase in traffic in all surrounding streets has increased my local community time 20-30% and decreases my likelihood to travel
Nov 1, 2025
It land locks people in. You cant get out at all. The tram is useless u less you just need to pop to pac fair or aus fair. Other than that it doesnt help me at all. And do they really think the people in their multimillion dollat appartments are catching the tram let alone a bus. Come on. I bet no council officers have ever caught a bus esp tom. They should never have removed the ped overpass or dug up the cavil mall or ripped out all the trees. Now i have to pay to put it all back again.
Oct 31, 2025
Parking and relatively easy travel is extremely frustrating
Oct 30, 2025
I cant get anywhere. The tram is useless for people to get to where they need to be for work, have a dog and a few kids with all the stuff thats goes with that. It doesnt get me to the spit or the hinterland or theme parks. Im more concerned though that firetrucks can not get through the closure part quickly or safely, police are stuck and ambos cant get to people in need. To compare a town with three main streets to new york or any other place like sydney makes me hopping mad. They have trains ans alr roads. We had an overpass and trees once and an open two way road. Makes me angry im going to have to buy it all over again. I have to walk up the esp as i live on that street otherwise i would never set foot in the disaster
Oct 25, 2025
Visitors to the area, especially overseas visitors , feel so much safer without having to dodge traffic, and have more space to stand and walk by the sea shore.
Oct 23, 2025
I've had a business in orchid Avenue for 38 years this road closure is killing my business
Oct 6, 2025
This is the biggest mistake ever made for Surfers Paradise
Oct 6, 2025
The road closure has negatively impacted my daily enjoyment of the area I used to go for a swim at Surfers Paradise beach everyday . Eat something each day and enjoy sitting at the Surfclub watching the luxury cars classic cars and bikes . I made a point of driving my 1981 yellow mini Moke through the streets of Surfers waving and smiling back at all the resists and locals alike . I drive in there today proudly flying the Broncos to both cheers and boos depending on who you were going for . Tourists take photos constantly with the Surfers back drop going world wide . Please open it back up.