Surfers Esplanade permanent closure?

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I'm Lucy Niche. A decision is looming on the
future of the Esplanade in Surfers Paradise, with a report
recommending the section of road at the end of cavemoll
We close permanently. Councils Transport and Infrastructure Committee will meet
today to debate the closure and go through that report,
which has found the number of visitors to the beach
has surged by sixty eight percent, while seventy two percent

(00:23):
of the community like the pedestrian only zone. Chamber of
Commerce President Laura Younger has told us feedback from local
shops and traders has also been extremely positive.

Speaker 2 (00:33):
Like anythink, there will be some people who are not happy,
but it's one of those things where were going to
end up with five thousand squares of more pedestrian friendly space,
which will in turn, once it's done properly, bring a
lot more people into the precinct.

Speaker 1 (00:48):
While hospitality groups are also backing the permanent closure of
the esplanade, Matthew Keegan from Artesian Hospitality says its boosted
visitation into surfers.

Speaker 3 (00:58):
Been something that's both sisted initially with people coming back
into surfers for something new. It's also been useful for
businesses that have been able to expand their footprint along
the Esplanade. But more importantly, it's part of the broader
revitalization project, which is going to inject over one hundred
million into surfers.

Speaker 1 (01:15):
State MP for Surfers Paradise John Paul Langbrook is among
those calling for the road to be reopened, citing safety issues,