What if we keep the Esplande open to traffic?

What if we imagined a Surfers Paradise designed for the people who live here, work here and visit here? After all as Jane Jacobs says “People make cities, and it is them, not buildings, that we must fit our plans.”

A plan that preserves our iconic trees, celebrates our unique character and transforms the Esplanade into a vibrant, playful and fully activated public space. It’s time for a vision that truly reflects the cultures of Surfers Paradise.

Alternative visions

The Council said it was too hard and too confusing to have a second design that showed the road remaining open to traffic. I disagree. So I made two.

One with two way traffic restored and another concept with four first floor pavilions added to the foreshore. At least we can now discuss options.

Option 1 – Keep the road open

A plan with the existing two way north / south road. I have produced this design to aid the discussion. "Seamless connection to Cavill Mall" can easily be made through common planting, materials, colours, fittings, fixtures and lighting. It does not by default require the removal of cars and closure of the road. Talented designers can incorporate contrasting elements and changes of conditions into unified, harmonious designs.

This design retains most of the established greenery and allows for the addition of more palm trees from the proposed works.

The large bite taken out of the prized foreshore real estate is gone. The beach ampitheatre is now a connected series of seating along the 250 metre edge providing much greater flexibility in scale. Its focus is the 180 degree pacific ocean horizon – the free show that is on 24/7, 365.

Grow the green

This is the Council’s plan marked up with the palm and pine trees to be cut down. It is nearly everything. Norfolk Pines and other trees in blue. Pandanas and other palms in red. Pandanas and other low palms are very important for morning shade along the foreshore edge.

Grow the green is one of the 4 key pillars of the Council’s concept. However, nearly all the existing mature trees and palms are to be cut down in the Council’s proposed scheme. There are four stands of Pandanas Palms to remain. The iconic Pandanas Palms are to be replaced with suburban shopping centre trees. Extra palm trees are proposed but they will offer little shade from the sun rising over the ocean.

We could have both existing ad additional greenery. This is our concept showing the established trees and palms to be retained.

Our concept uses 31 palm trees from those proposed in the Council’s plan additional to existing mature trees to really grow the green.

Option 2 – Bringing a new level to the Esplanade

The Esplanade transformed. North-south traffic flows smoothly while pedestrians enjoy four wide bridge crossings each crowned with first-floor pavilions inspired by the iconic yellow Surf Life Saving towers. These aren’t just walkways — they’re playful, multi-level spaces, with slides and nature-inspired staircases playfully connecting with the Esplanade below. First-floor pavilions and bridges provide rooftop dining to create new experiences and revenue streams. Tree top pavilions affording views previously reserved for the famous surf life savers. Spaces below offer cover for major event activation.

Each bridge connects back to key destinations, activating the first floor level of the precinct:

• The first-floor dining level of the Surf Club, now with direct access to the beach an their equipment stored below. Nippers now need never mix it with traffic.
• A multi-level pedestrian park at the top end of Cavill Mall,
• The restaurant level of Peppers Soul Hotel, and
• The Hyde Paradiso restaurant level at Peppers Soul.

This approach unlocks a new layer of activity for the Esplanade economy, creating commercial experiences, event opportunities, and improved access to the beach without road crossings. It preserves 95% of existing trees and Pandanus palms, adds 31 new palms for added shade and streetscape rhythm. It activates the first-floor level with rooftop dining, premier event ticketing and community spaces. Every element is designed to celebrate Surfers Paradise’s culture, energise its streets and put residents and tourists first.

Oh and the Surf club gets to sport its new cap.

Why this matters

Surfers Paradise Esplanade is not a generic main street. It is a global icon. Our culture is fun, diverse and progressive. Our economy is driven by small business, tourism and lifestyle. Any revitalisation must celebrate and amplify this uniqueness. Surfers Paradise has a shortage of rooftop dining with ocean views. This design delivers four new elevated locations. each with space below for other activities.

Economic & Social Activation – new first floor activation for the Esplanade frontage.

‍Improved Access & Safety – Pedestrian bridges offer alternatives to road crossings, connecting the beach to key destinations safely.

Environmental Respect – Preserves almost all existing greenery and enhances urban ecology with new tree plantings.

Our principles

People First, Not Pavement Up – design must start with how locals and visitors live, not just infrastructure fixes.

Celebrate the Exotic – bold, colourful, tropical, flamboyant. Surfers is not beige.

Economic & Social Activation – unlock new revenue streams and event opportunities.

Cultural Connection – draw on iconic imagery, playful design and a sense of place that reflects Surfers Paradise’s unique energy.

Iconic, Not Anywhere – pavilions, shelters and lighting must scream “Surfers Paradise,” not “suburban mall.”

Culture & Subculture – reflect surf life saving, nightlife, youth, street art and diversity.

Green & Shaded – preserve and enhance tree cover with additional tropical planting.

Ocean & River as Anchors – link the two natural wonders with design that flows between them.

Day-to-Night Experience – dazzling by day, electric by night.

Playfulness & Fun – interactive, joyful, unique to Surfers.

What we ask of Council

1. We call on Council to set a clear unifying vision for Surfers Paradise: Not just “change for the sake of change.” Not piecemeal fixes from a pavement-up checklist. But a bold, world-class boulevard that enhances the Surfers lifestyle and shows it off to the world.
2. We call for at least a second design option — a people-first proposal that includes north south traffic on the road — to be presented to the community for discussion and debate.

Surfers Paradise deserves more than suburban streetscape upgrades. It deserves a vision that celebrates its people, culture, energy and gives tourists and residents alike a reason to return, explore and engage.

Let’s ensure that the next chapter of Surfers Paradise is built for the people looking for our special combination of city buzz and beach side chill. Let’s stop borrowing models from New York, Copenhagen, or Sydney. Surfers Paradise is already unlike anywhere else — it deserves a design that reflects our own DNA.

Surfers Paradise is not changing — it is evolving. Let’s do it right.

What we ask of you

Join us in asking Council for better. Take our survey, join our mailing list so we can stay in contact, send letters. If you are a business become a member and help us hep you.