Produced by: Economic Development and Major Projects July 2013 Š City of Gold Coast This publication is copyright and contains information that is the property of the City of Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast Chinatown precinct plan has been developed in partnership with:
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contents
Messages.................................................................................... 04 Introduction................................................................................ 07 Gold Coast Vision....................................................................... 08 Southport.................................................................................... 10 Demographics............................................................................ 16 Involvement................................................................................ 18 Sister City Program.................................................................... 20 Asian history .............................................................................. 22 Evolution of Chinatown.............................................................. 26 Gold Coast Chinatown............................................................... 27
Measures of success........................................................... 30
Chinatown design................................................................ 32
Streetscape................................................................... 36 Cultural embellishments................................................. 46 Gateways...................................................................... 50
Chinatown implementation.................................................. 52
Events strategy............................................................ 54
Retail strategy.............................................................. 56
Investment strategy..................................................... 58
Governance and management................................... 59
Other attractions.......................................................... 60
Establishment timeframe............................................ 62
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mayors message
Mayor Tom Tate City of Gold Coast As Mayor of the Gold Coast, I am proud to see our vibrant and cosmopolitan city spearhead the development of a Chinatown precinct in Southport, as our emerging central business district. The Gold Coast is fortunate to already have strong, international partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region. The importance of this region to the economic, social and cultural success of our city is highlighted in the fact that the Gold Coast currently has six, active Sister City relationships in Asia with Zhuhai, Beihai, Taipei, Tainan, Takasu and Kanagawa Prefecture. It is therefore only natural that, in the interests of progression, the Gold Coast joins with the nation’s capital cities and develops its own Chinatown precinct. Chinatowns are a symbol of maturity, urban life and global identity. They are a place for people to celebrate and experience the diversity of different cultures. That is why Gold Coast Chinatown, like the city, will be built on our own unique lifestyle, by embracing these symbols and providing locals with a place to immerse themselves in Asian culture. Whether it's through cuisine, festivals or trade and investment, Gold Coast Chinatown will be a bustling destination for cultural exchange between the local and international communities.
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Gold Coast Chinatown will also be a home away from home for the thousands of international students who, attracted to the lifestyle and business opportunities on offer here, come to the Gold Coast each year. This Precinct Plan gives us a glimpse into the exciting street scaping, public art, paifang entrances and overall design of what will pave the way for the construction of the Gold Coast Chinatown. Upon its completion towards the end of 2014, I am confident that the community will embrace Gold Coast Chinatown, as it grows to become a much-loved urban place in the centre of what will be the Gold Coast’s CBD.
Cr Tom Tate Mayor, City of Gold Coast
messages
Minister Jann Stuckey State Government Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Chinatown is just one of a number of exciting projects happening on the Gold Coast. With the light rail opening in 2014 and the focus on the Southport Broadwater Parklands for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Chinatown will play an important role in the revitalisation of the local area. The Newman Government is committed to the economic growth of Queensland. Gold Coast Chinatown helps to achieve this in many ways; from a tourism perspective Chinatown will assist to diversify the tourism product and attract tourists to a new area of the city; it supports our education objectives of increasing participation and attracting international students; it demonstrates how we embrace and celebrate our multicultural community and our history; and strengthens relationship with our international neighbours. This Precinct Plan is just the first step in positioning Southport as the central business district of the Gold Coast. It establishes a pathway for the community, private sector and governments to work together to achieve our vision.
Ted Fong
John Howe
Gold Coast Chinatown Association
Committee for Southport
Over the past 20 years a group of dedicated local business people and individuals have been working to create a place which celebrates Chinese and Asian cultures on the Gold Coast. The concept was originally conceived during a meeting with the then Mayor, Lex Bell OAM in his office during the early 1990s. Our dream is now becoming reality. This Precinct Plan represents the culmination of these years of work to create a Chinatown for the Gold Coast. The Precinct Plan has been developed with the Chinese community from the Gold Coast and around the world. Gold Coast Chinatown has created much excitement amongst government and investors in China and the Asia-Pacific region. Once the precinct is ready in 2014, Chinese and other Asian communities will have a place to share our culture and to come together to celebrate our history and common future.
Southport is where business gets done on the Gold Coast. From the beautiful Broadwater to the old Southport hospital site, the core area of Southport will become a hub of innovative business, economic activity, entertainment and leisure. The challenges we have faced over the last few years has made us resilient. Business has come up with new ways of operating. New public transport infrastructure and planning frameworks will set Southport up for success. However leadership, bold thinking and a concerted approach to the management of Southport will secure our future. Business will want to locate in Southport to be part of its revitalisation and because of its international focus. Southport will attract like minded people and businesses from around the world who want to succeed, challenge themselves and be part of a dynamic environment. Chinatown is at the centre of it all and part of the overall international business district strategy for Southport. Already, Chinatown has put Southport in the international spotlight. It will attract business and investment to position Southport as the premier office address in Australia for the Asia-Pacific region.
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Chinatown is part of a broader plan to revitalise Southport as the central business district of the Gold Coast
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introduction
Our modern representation of Chinatown will embody the Gold Coast spirit, encourage Chinese and Asian visitors and foster relationships that will attract investment and business to the Gold Coast.
Southport is a vibrant and culturally diverse place, being home to people from all ages and backgrounds. It is anchored by regionally significant facilities including a Magistrate’s Court, community centre, library, public and private medical services, retail and the Southport Broadwater Parklands. Southport has emerged as a centre for higher education and health and medical services which has drawn international students into the local area.
Gold Coast Chinatown will bring a sense of home and community to locals and thousands of international students and tourists who come to the city each year. The diversity that Gold Coast Chinatown will bring to the city will contribute to our strengths as a place to do business, be entertained, to live and be educated. Gold Coast Chinatown precinct plan outlines how Chinatown will evolve to become a great place to celebrate by all.
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Gold Coast vision
Lifestyle has been at the heart of the Gold Coast’s attractiveness from our very first settlement. Our climate and pristine natural assets have drawn people from all around the world, and in turn people have drawn inspiration from our lifestyle. Our environment has influenced the way in which our city has developed and on the way we live, our innovative nature and our sense of enjoyment. Our youthfulness, attitudes, architecture and economy have combined to produce a city that is uniquely Gold Coast.
Gold Coast. Inspired by lifestyle. Driven by opportunity. The implementation of this vision is based on three themes, reflecting our opportunity as a city, the advantage of where we live and the importance of our community:
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a dynamic city that prospers
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the best place to live and visit
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people contribute to a strong community
We are growing, but we are still young and vibrant.
A fresh vision for the Gold Coast 8
Australia’s Gold Coast is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city offering fantastic opportunities. Located only eight hours from Asia, the Gold Coast is perfectly positioned as an investment, lifestyle and holiday destination.
The city has a population of 525,000 and has access to an economic catchment of three million people.
It is the second largest city in Queensland and the sixth largest in Australia.
Since 2001, the local economy has grown in size from $15.7 billion to an estimated $23 billion.
Tourism, construction, education and health care are significant industries, with local businesses considered innovators in their fields.
The city boasts 52 kilometres of pristine beaches, world class entertainment, many shopping precincts and popular theme parks.
11 million tourists visit the city annually – contributing $4.2 billion to the local economy.
Last year nearly 380,000 Asian tourists visited the Gold Coast, with more than 174,000 from China.
Securing rights to the 2018 Commonwealth Games has boosted investment interest with several infrastructure projects already underway.
In 2014, the Gold Coast will launch Queensland’s first light rail network, connecting entertainment, education and business districts.
Also announced are plans for a cultural precinct in the heart of the city and expressions of interest have been called for the development of a cruise ship terminal and associated tourism infrastructure in the city’s Broadwater adjacent to Southport. In Australia’s largest-ever integrated resort development, the Broadwater Marine Project could include hotels, a casino, super yacht marina, retail development, restaurants, and entertainment and hospitality venues.
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Southport
Southport is focused on Education, Health and Medical
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Southport is the traditional centre of the Gold Coast focused on knowledge based employment, regional government administration, medical, retail and commercial as well as regional community and recreation facilities.
Education is a significant economic driver with Griffith University, the Gold Coast Institute of TAFE and a number of international language schools located in Southport. The Southport School and St. Hilda’s private schools are also ranked amongst the top schools in Queensland. With two bookends of education, innovation and health, connected by the light rail and six permanent light rail stations, there are a number of significant projects underway and planned by both government and the private sector which will secure Southport's economic growth. The Committee for Southport, a group of property owners and interested businesses, developed the Southport vision concept plan which identifies a number of projects in Southport to prepare the precinct for the Commonwealth Games and the 100th year anniversary of Southport in 2018. 11
Gold Coast University Hospital
Gold Coast University Hospital The $1.76 billion, 750 bed Gold Coast University Hospital is part of a major expansion of health services for the Gold Coast community. Due to open in 2013 it will provide new and expanded health care services, state of the art training facilities and on-site research facilities.
Private Hospital The Gold Coast Private Hospital will have over 230 beds and a full range of medical and surgical services, a specialised pediatric unit and maternity ward with five delivery suites. The design includes an emergency unit, special care nursery, intensive care unit, dedicated oncology unit and operating theatres.
Commonwealth Games Athletes Village The Commonwealth Games Athletes Village will accommodate 6,500 athletes and officials during the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Post games the village will be home to a residential population of over 3,000 people. Ultimately this 29.4 hectare site will be transformed into an integrated centre for learning, innovation, knowledge creation and commercialisation, with organisations representing technologybased industry, research, innovation, health, science and academia.
Southport Broadwater Parklands
With $5 billion in projects Southport's economic future is secure 14
The recently completed $60 million Southport Broadwater Parklands has been embraced by the community as a place of recreation, entertainment and sporting pursuits. The Broadwater Parklands will be a focus of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018 with a number of sporting events including swimming, the marathon, gymnastics and basketball to be held here. Broadwater Parklands is also proposed to be a major games live site where the community will gather to celebrate and watch events. Funds for Stage 3 of the Southport Broadwater Parklands Master Plan are being sought to upgrade the northern section of the parkland to the world class standard of the previous stage. The plan includes reclamation of land for recreation and event space, environmental offsets, new boat ramp and car-trailer parking, finger pontoons and jetty, and accommodates the relocation of the Southport Amateur Fishing Club.
Gold Coast Aquatic Centre
Gold Coast Aquatic Centre The $49 million Aquatic Centre is one of the most significant Commonwealth Games legacy projects and will provide new world class facilities for the Gold Coast. The project has been brought forward to take advantage of the opportunity to host the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships and other major national and international competitions ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Gold Coast Institute of TAFE (GCIT) Education Village GCIT is proposing to consolidate its operations on the Gold Coast to three locations. Southport will accommodate GCIT’s central operations through the development of an education village. The education village will meet the skills and training requirements of the central Gold Coast and includes two centres of excellence, being the Asian Centre for Tourism and Hospitality and the Centre for Health and Wellbeing (providing training in nursing and community services). GCIT advised that there will be around 7,000 full time and 4,400 part time students at the new Southport campus.
All this points to a strong, sustainable and attractive future for Southport. The development of a well-planned, well managed and culturally diverse Chinatown precinct only adds further to the credentials of Southport as an international business district.
Broadwater Parklands
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149,200sqm
demographics
53.8
%
20.9%
28,314
of houses in Southport are rented
speak another language, with nearly
10%
speaking an Asian language
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Southport has the highest amount of commercial space on the Gold Coast
50.3%
people live in Southport
of people have parents born overseas. %
10.6
of those are from Asia
The typical person who lives in Southport is
45.8%
20 to 39 years old.
are couples without children
Is more likely to be female.
In a relationship but never married with no children.
They are more likely to live in a rented unit rather than a house.
They earn over $100 less per week than their neighbours in Surfers Paradise, which could mean that they have part time employment and study.
nearly
25,000 employed
the highest proportion of the city's workforce
If they weren’t born in Australia it is highly probable that they were born in an Asian country.
They are just as likely to have both parents born overseas as born in Australia.
Gold Coast local government area (LGA). Data was sourced from the 2011 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census of Population and Housing
44.1%
have never married
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Gold Coast Chinatown Association
Membership: ··
Ted Fong (Tat Yin Fong) - Chairman Gold Coast Chinatown
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John Howe - Deputy Chairman Gold Coast Chinatown (iEDM)
The Gold Coast Chinatown concept has been around for many years with Surfers Paradise being the preferred location for a Chinatown during the 1990s. In 2009, a group of local Southport businesses and individuals developed a plan to create a Chinatown centred on Young and Davenport Streets in Southport.
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Rob French - Secretary Gold Coast Chinatown (Bell Legal)
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Suzie Xu - Treasurer Gold Coast Chinatown (WMS Chartered Accountants)
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Garth Bell - (Retail First)
The Gold Coast Chinatown Association incorporated in 2011 with the aim to formally establish a Chinatown in Southport. The association successfully gained support for the concept with both State and Local Governments committing funds and resources to develop a plan for the precinct.
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Allan Dick - (DC Law Corporation Ltd)
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John Chan - (Gold Coast Tourism)
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Jenny Bao
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Sally Chung - (Holiday International Golden Travel)
The Gold Coast Chinatown Association plays an important role in the development of Chinatown including advocating for project outcomes, engaging with the Chinese consulate and Asian community, international delegations and the management of the Chinatown website and social media.
City of Gold Coast Centre Improvement Project The City of Gold Coast allocated $2.4 million through the Centre Improvement Program to upgrade the streetscape of Young Street. In May 2013, $1.1 million was committed to the Davenport Street section.
Membership: ··
Garth Bell - Local business operator
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Peter Hing - Property owner
The Centre Improvement Program is funded two thirds by the city and one third by property owners. Property owners vote on the project and if the result is positive, property owners and businesses can nominate to be part of the project reference group.
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Max Bohlscheid - Property owner
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Paul & Tiffany Webb - Local business operator
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Dr Craig Waring - Local business operator
The role of the project reference group is to:
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Dr Mark Taylor - Local business operator
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Contribute local knowledge and identify issues.
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Rod Butler - Local business operator
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Discuss issues relating to the proposed improvements with other stakeholders between meetings and report back.
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Annie Withington - Local business operator
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Dale Anderson - Local business operator
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Review and comment on proposed design concepts.
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Norm Clarke & Judith Moir - Local business operator
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Establish project priorities based on available funding.
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Kevin Carmody - Property owner / Local business operator
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Giuseppe (Joey) D'Adderio - Property owner
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Pasquale (Lino) D'Adderio - Property owner
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Peter John Batley - Local business operator
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Ken Perkins & Andrew Beck - Local business operator
Local businesses and property owners have been instrumental in developing the Chinatown Precinct Plan. All stakeholders in Young and Davenport Streets have been supportive of the Chinatown concept with many involved in its design and development through the project reference group. 18
The project reference group have applied their unrivalled knowledge of the area to inform a design which is not only modern but functional for the operations of a successful Chinatown.
Chinatown Project Control Group City of Gold Coast established the Southport International District (Chinatown) Project Control Group to process the Chinatown concept through the development of a precinct plan. The purpose of the group is to: ··
Establish a cooperative framework to coordinate the development of the Chinatown concept.
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Provide a central point of contact and decision making responsibility.
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Assist to define and develop the scope of Chinatown.
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Inform the development of a precinct plan and implementation plan for Chinatown.
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Formalise stakeholder agreement of the concept.
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Leverage opportunity and maximise investment as a result of the project.
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Advocate on behalf of the project to progress the precincts objectives.
Membership: ··
John Howe - Co-Chairman, Gold Coast Chinatown Association
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Garth Bell - Retail First and Centre Improvement Project Representative
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Rebecca Andrews - Executive Director, Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games
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Susan Tyrrell - Destination Management Officer, Gold Coast Tourism
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Ashley Mitchell - Senior Urban Designer, City of Gold Coast
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Patrick Duigan - Executive Coordinator Centre Improvement Program, City of Gold Coast
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Shaelee Richards - Chinatown Project Manager Coordinator Project Feasibility and Partnerships, City of Gold Coast
A number of technical experts provided advice as required throughout the development of the plan. 19
Sister City Program The City of Gold Coast Sister City Program aims to foster international understanding and goodwill between cities and to increase business and cultural opportunities for our residents and businesses. Gold Coast has a long established international profile that began with the growth in international tourism in the city from the 1960s. This profile has been reinforced by major local and international investment in the tourism industry as well as the steady arrival of overseas immigrants. The global Sister City movement commenced shortly after the end of the Second World War with President Eisenhower proposing a people-to-people citizen diplomacy network in the United States of America. His goal was to involve individuals and organised groups at all levels of society in citizen diplomacy, with the hope that personal relationships, fostered through sister city agreements and county and state affiliations, would lessen the chance of future world conflicts. In Australia, the appeal of international understanding and friendship has been attractive to community minded local citizens since at least the 1930s. Today, Australian cities have nearly 470 Sister City Agreements throughout the world and this number increases every year. City of Gold Coast currently has nine Sister City relationships all over the world. These relationships are successful in fostering closer business and cultural ties. Some of the initiatives include two-way trade missions, hosting inbound delegations and staff and student exchanges.
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Four Sister Cities have been invited to be directly involved in the design and development of Gold Coast Chinatown, being Zhuhai, Beihai, Taipei and Tainan. These cities have been chosen to participate in the Chinatown project because of their cultural alignment with the Chinatown objectives and the similarities in climate, industry and event opportunities in health and medical, sport, education, tourism, film and interactive media, information communication technology and leisure.
Sister Cities
Officially established
Sister Cities
Officially established
Beihai, People’s Republic of China
1997
Taipei, Taiwan
1982
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2001
Tainan, Taiwan
1982
Fort Lauderdale, United States of America
1980
Takasu, Japan
1995
Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
1990
Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China
2012
Noumea, New Caledonia
1992
Gold Coast has nine Sister Cities all over the world
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Gold Coast Asian History Asian settlers and visitors have had a significant role in shaping the Gold Coast, from a cultural, planning, tourism, investment and business perspective, and have contributed substantially to building our young city. The main countries of influence have been China and Japan, with smaller numbers of people from other parts of Asia.
asian history
Asian involvement in the city occurred from the late 19th century. During the first half of the 20th century a small number of Asian families and individuals lived on the Gold Coast and successfully participated in local business, with Chinese entrepreneurs being notable contributors to the city’s development as a tourist destination. By the second half of the 20th century the city received increased visitation and investment from Asia, culminating in the Japanese investment boom of the 1980s which dramatically changed the nature and urban fabric of the city. Since then the number of visitors, settlers and investors from Asia, particularly China and South East Asia, has continued to grow. As a tourism city, the Gold Coast has always attracted overseas investment. Starting with the first Chinese restaurateurs of the 1950s and culminating with massive Japanese and other Asian investment. Asian communities have helped transform the city from a simple, rural district into an international destination. Culturally the city has become more complex, with a shift from a predominantly AngloGermanic society in the 19th century to an increasingly diverse, multicultural society.
Chinese Influence The Chinese were the first recorded group of Asian people to come to the Gold Coast in the 1800s. Difficult economic and social conditions in the coastal provinces of southern China encouraged people to seek economic opportunities overseas, including Australia. Mostly they were rural labourers and farmers, but there were also smaller numbers of merchants and artisans. Chinese immigrants demonstrated a strong sense of fellowship and built support networks based on ties of kinship and place of origin. In the early parts of the 20th century there were a number of Chinese market gardeners, shopkeepers and cooks in Coolangatta and Tweed Heads. Chinese sailors were also commonly employed on coastal and international ships and some of these mariners were temporary domiciled in the Gold Coast region when their vessels visited or were wrecked.
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The Cathay Café. One of the earliest Chinese entrepreneurs was Tommy Wong Young, who ran the Chinese restaurant, Café Cathay, in Fortitude Valley. Tommy, who was the head of a wealthy business syndicate, and in 1952 opened another Cafe Cathay on the Gold Coast after spending £15,000 to buy and convert an old house on the Gold Coast Highway in Surfers Paradise. Image courtesy Gold Coast Local Studies Library. Photographer: Unknown
One such incident occurred in 1907 when the steamer, Fido, was wrecked near Tweed Heads. The Chinese members of the crew were finger-printed and held by the Queensland Customs office until their deportation to their employers in Hong Kong.
Cafe Cathay at night 1958. Image courtesy Gold Coast City Council Local Studies Library. Photographer: A. Leebold.
Asian settlers and visitors have contributed substantially to building the city SS Fido crew 1907. Image courtesy Gold Coast City Council Local Studies Library. Photographer: Unknown
After World War II, Chinese activity on the Gold Coast increased markedly. This activity was largely driven by a number of Chinese restaurant owners and business people who helped pioneer the Gold Coast’s post-war tourism and building boom. Most belonged to old Chinese Australian families founded during the gold rush days, or were new immigrants with connections to these families. Together they became part of a flourishing Chinese restaurant scene that began in Brisbane during the war to cater for the demand for Chinese food from American service personnel. It was a natural progression to establish branch businesses on the Gold Coast when the area burgeoned in the post-war years.
In the 1980s the Chinese community on the Gold Coast began to change significantly with the arrival of students and their families who had been granted refuge by the Australian Government. They were largely Mandarin speakers from mainland China and soon Mandarin became the dominant language, other than English, within Australia’s Chinese communities. Prior to this most Chinese people spoke Cantonese.
Cathay flats, 1950s. Image courtesy Gold Coast City Council Local Studies Library. Photographer: A. McRobbie.
Tien Chinese Restaurant was located in Cavill Avenue next to Elrancho from 1968-1988. The dragon was made of copper and originally breathed fire. Images courtesy Debby Lo-Dean.
By the 1990s the Gold Coast had a large, strong Chinese community. There were many second, third and fourth generations born in Australia. Chinese cultural organisations such as the Chinese Church and the Gold Coast Chinese Club (founded 1984) emerged, and events such as dragon boat racing began. 23
Chinese Heritage in Southport Southport has had ongoing influence from the Chinese community since the early 20th century. In 1904, two Chinese men were recorded living in Southport: the gardener, May Chong, and an oysterman and fisherman by the name of Tommy Quay Lee. Tommy Quay Lee became a well-known, long-term resident, living in Labrador and Southport through to the 1930s. He married Margaret Cunningham in 1899, and their family included two daughters, Eline (b. 1899) and Annie (b. 1901). Tommy regularly drank at the Anglers Arms Hotel and went crabbing in the Broadwater. Tum Tum Restaurant, beside the Pacific Hotel, Southport, May 1970. Image courtesy Gold Coast City Council Local Studies Library. Bob Avery, photographer.
In 1964 in Southport the Tum Tum Restaurant was established on the Gold Coast Highway. This was a converted house which sat next door to the Pacific Hotel. In 1970 it was bought and managed by the chef, Marcus So, and his wife, Jeanette. As well as restaurants, other Chinese businesses were established in this time, including a grocery store run by the Lun family at the intersection of Nerang Street and Marine Parade.
Japanese Influence The earliest known references to people of full or part Japanese heritage in the area date from the 1930s. In 1932 George Adjuta worked as a laundryman in Coolangatta, and in the mid 1930s Stanley Okumura, a labourer, and his wife, Eileen, were residing in Tallebudgera. In 1947 a 74 year old man named Suyekichi Yamada unsuccessfully applied to become naturalised in Coolangatta. He had come to Queensland 51 years previously to cut sugar cane.
Owner-chef Marcus So and his assistant, Albert, at work in the kitchen of the Tum Tum Restaurant, May 1970. Image courtesy Gold Coast City Council Local Studies Library. Bob Avery, photographer.
Surfers Welcome sign 1970. Image courtesy Gold Coast Local Studies Library. Photographer: Unknown
The first Japanese restaurant to open on the Gold Coast was The Ponds, which was established in the 1960s. The proprietor was Enami Edwards, the Japanese wife of the comedian Eddie Edwards. With the aid of some other Japanese wives on the Gold Coast, Enami converted an old house in Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise, into a Japanese-style eating place complete with traditional tea ceremonies and waitresses in kimonos. It was not until the mid-1980s that the Gold Coast witnessed a major explosion of Japanese investment and visitation. This was driven by dramatic social and economic changes occurring in Japan with Japanese people from all walks of life entering the property market. From 1985 there was an influx of Japanese investment, and by 1988 the amount spent on real-estate and development in Australia was $10.1 billion, with $4 billion being on the Gold Coast. The Japanese investors were attracted to the Gold Coast primarily because property prices were low in comparison with Japan, but also the lure of the sunny climate and relaxed, friendly lifestyle.
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Jeanette So in the main dining area of the Tum Tum Restaurant, May 1970. Image courtesy Gold Coast City Council Local Studies Library. Bob Avery, photographer.
The scale of investment and development was extraordinary and never before witnessed on the Gold Coast. Large corporations mainly focused on hotels, high-rise holiday towers, commercial centres and resorts. The emphasis was often on luxury, the best and most exclusive that money could buy, and an understanding of the latest resort designs. The urban fabric of the Gold Coast was radically transformed, with many of the old beach houses and low-rise unit blocks being replaced by large-scale, luxurious developments, most of which used extravagant neo-classical or post-modern architecture. A multitude of Japanese restaurants also sprang up. In tandem with the rise of Japanese property investment on the Gold Coast was the rise of Japanese tourists. A major part of this market was honeymooners on package holidays with the Gold Coast becoming a favoured destination. Japanese youths also came seeking an overseas experience, including young Japanese surfers who came to the Gold Coast during the 1980s and 1990s.
Murakami family swimming at Biggera Creek, 1949. Aubrey Victor Murakami, who was part Japanese, owned a laundry in Coolangatta during the 1940s. From 1943 he and his wife, Thelma, and their family were living at Leonard Street, and later in 1952 moved into a house in Ashbourne Terrace, Labrador, where the children attended the Labrador State School. Victor conducted a dry-cleaning business. Image courtesy Gold Coast Local Studies Library. Photographer: Unknown
The impact of this surge of Japanese development and visitation was profound. Japanese investment was instrumental in changing the Gold Coast from a holiday destination mostly for Brisbane residents and visitors from the southern states to an international resort city.
Other Asian Influence By the 1970s, multiculturalism was growing on the Gold Coast with the inclusion of Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Singaporean, Filipino and other South East Asian people. This was a time when the Gold Coast established itself as an international holiday destination, and many South East Asian immigrants worked within the tourism industry and booming construction scene. Overtime immigrants established restaurants serving their national cuisine, as well as establishing other businesses.
Sir Bruce Small with Japanese Ambassador to Australia, Mr Shizuo Saito and his wife, at the 'Top of Ten' restaurant, Surfers Paradise, 1970. Image courtesy Gold Coast Local Studies Library. Photographer, B. Avery.
Newly built Thams Court with shop premises, Davenport Street, Southport, Queensland, 1968. Photographer, Bob Avery.
Garrow's Dry Cleaning, corner Nerang and Davenport Streets, Southport 1967. Photographer: Unknown
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evolution of Chinatown
A Chinatown is an urban area of a non-Chinese society containing a large population of Chinese people. The word "Chinatown" means "The Street of the Tang People", which refers to the Tang Dynasty, a period of Chinese history regarded by many people as the pinnacle of Chinese civilisation. Chinatowns around the world are common where larger Chinese communities came together for mutual support, hospitality and social interaction. Nineteenth century Chinatowns attempted to establish familiar social environments for Chinese immigrants and provided a range of services including boarding houses, temples, restaurants, gambling and opium shops, herbalists and doctors, and stores selling traditional foodstuffs. Whatever their origins, you can find a Chinatown in almost every major city in the world. They vary in size from a couple of streets to large, thriving cities within a city. Due to the small Chinese population on the Gold Coast during the late 1800s to early 1900s, no Chinese residential precinct, or ‘Chinatown’, developed. Although no Chinatown characterised the early Gold Coast, social and economic ties still existed within the small Chinese population with the few Chinese stores acting as important local community hubs. In more recent years Southport has emerged as a centre for higher education and international language schools, and this has drawn Asian students into the local area. In part the sustained Asian presence can be attributed to the Gold Coast’s emergence as a strong provider of education through the maturation of two university campuses that attract international students and the economic rise of China and South East Asia, which continues to bring tourists and investment into the city.
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Gold Coast Chinatown
Objectives As one of the key projects to revitalise Southport as an internationally focused business district, Gold Coast Chinatown will assist to foster international relationships, attract investment and tourists.
Vision: The place to celebrate
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Provide an opportunity for cultural exchange between Australia, China and other Asian countries
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Build trade and investment relationships
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Create confidence in the development industry and encourage the redevelopment of Southport
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Enhance the tourism product of the city and its cultural diversity
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Generate a new night time economy in Southport
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Leverage the proximity to the light rail station by creating a destination and increasing pedestrian activity
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Provide a place for locals, international students and tourists to celebrate Asian culture
Gold Coast‘s diversity through culture, design, people and food.
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Gold Coast Chinatown precinct Gold Coast Chinatown is focused on Davenport and Young Streets in Southport.
The Chinatown location allows for integration of the precinct as part of the urban fabric of Southport. Opportunity exists to connect the precinct through Australia Fair West to Southport Central and through Nerang Street Mall to Broadwater Parklands.
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Davenport and Young Streets
Surrounding areas
Davenport and Young Streets are located in the heart of Southport. Buildings along these streets were generally built in the 1970s and 1980s.
The precinct is in close proximity to the Broadwater Parklands, Nerang Street Mall, Australia Fair shopping centre and the Southport Library. The Southport Community Centre, located a block from Chinatown, is the busiest community centre on the Gold Coast. Other community facilities such as the Country Women’s Association are also located in the precinct.
The buildings are mostly two storeys high, with active shop frontages at ground level and small commercial tenancies on the first floor. Davenport Street has a range of tenancies, from nutrition and lifestyle to real-estate and fashion. It is notable that a nucleus of Asian inspired businesses has clustered in Davenport Street, including Chinese, Japanese and Korean restaurants, Thai massage, a Korean church based group, karaoke and acupuncture. Businesses in Young Street are predominantly located within the major retail buildings of Australia Fair and the Young Street Centre. They service the local community and range from beauty salons, health services, fashion, homeware and furniture sales. As with Davenport Street, Young Street contains a growing variety of Asian inspired businesses offering services such as Asian cuisine and Filipino products.
Laneways Connecting Davenport and Young Streets are two laneways, Regent and Davison Lanes. These laneways are currently used to service deliveries, rubbish removal and staff parking. These interesting urban environments will provide future opportunities for the expansion of innovative retail concepts which will contribute to the vibrancy of Chinatown.
The legal precinct containing the Magistrate's Court, police station and law firms are located north of the precinct. Gold Coast Institute of TAFE is also located adjacent to Chinatown.
Access The precinct is easily accessed by pedestrians and public transport. The light rail is located at the entrance to Chinatown. It will bring thousands of people to Southport everyday and connect Southport to Griffith University, the beach and entertainment districts of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. The light rail station is adjacent to a bus interchange on Scarborough Street which currently runs services to the north and west of the Gold Coast and connects to the heavy rail at Helensvale. This link to the heavy rail opens Southport to Brisbane and the domestic and international airports. Existing on street parking is a mixture of public pay and display, short term loading zones and private off street parking. There are approximately 2500 public parking spaces available in secure parking stations surrounding Chinatown.
measures of success
An assessment of Chinatowns in western countries nationally and around the world was undertaken. Honolulu, Vancouver, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne were studied to identify what make these precincts successful and the lessons learnt to be applied to Gold Coast Chinatown. These measures of success were developed to guide the design and implementation of Gold Coast Chinatown.
Micro-climate: The precinct should provide for the needs of pedestrians and shoppers and create a climate which positively contributes to the experience. The micro-climate can play a part in visitor’s sense of arrival and orientation. The sub-tropical climate is the ideal micro-climate for a precinct of this nature, issues around shade, light, resting places, outdoor dining, safety and places of interest are considered in the design and will improve the ambience of the street.
Gold Coast Chinatown location has the potential to deliver on many of these success factors and build on its existing advantages such as its location to the light rail, access to multiple markets and nucleus of Asian inspired businesses.
Parking and Access: Ideally Chinatowns have good access
The Place Entertainment / Events: Many successful precincts have scheduled cultural, leisure and entertainment attractions and / or events to celebrate important occasions. The majority of these activities are usually offered free to the public in an attempt to entice more people into the area. The Gold Coast Chinatown management structure will be crucial to planning for and providing a range of events throughout the year to attract new people and interest to the precinct. This will be particularly critical in the first year of operation. This is discussed in further detail in the events strategy.
What makes a successful Chinatown? 30
Safety: Is a very important factor of any successful precinct as it plays a large role in determining the areas ability to attract visitors especially at night. The strong street activation that is envisaged for Gold Coast Chinatown will deliver an environment that is safe and will attract large numbers of people on an 18 hour a day seven day a week basis. The streetscape design also incorporates new safety lighting and provision for CCTV camera network.
Promenade: The streets and public realm significantly contribute to the Chinatown experience and sense of place. The promenade nature of Chinatowns enables patrons to evaluate the available offer and to choose on the spot rather than book in advance. The Chinatown street layout and street improvements will create a promenade and sense of discovery as visitors move through the precinct.
to public transport and are easily accessible by foot. The ability to allow tourist coaches to set down allows increasing visitation to Chinatown areas as well as sufficient, affordable and easily accessible parking. Gold Coast Chinatown interfaces with the light rail station and the bus interchange; therefore it is easily accessible by public transport and pedestrians. Limiting vehicle speeds and on street parking will provide a better pedestrian environment. Good levels of off street parking exist in close proximity to the precinct and coach parking is available in Garden Street, Suter Street and at the Southport Library.
Signage: Innovative forms of directional signage, particularly around public transport are required to promote increased way finding and patronage. A range of opportunities exist to clearly identify, through signage, the location of the precinct and directions to it from key access points across Southport. One way streets: Are a common element of many Chinatowns as they provide for vehicular movement and on street parking which contributes to the access and activation of the precinct whilst providing a safe pedestrian environment. This approach also allows the streets to be closed to accommodate events and markets. The streetscape design allows for a one way section of Young Street from Davenport to Scarborough Streets. This section of the road can be closed to host a range of events and activities.
Management: Strong leadership and management are critical to the on-going success of Chinatown precincts. Whilst models vary, they all have government involvement and are responsible for similar activities which leads to the success of these precincts. Strong leadership and management, which takes into consideration the broader revitalisation of Southport, will be required as the precinct evolves.
The Location Location: A Chinatown precinct needs to be in a central location close to a major central business district and have good regional access. The location must ideally have exposure to a main road or thoroughfare within a substantial activity centre, or large enough to be its own destination and attract anchor tenants. The location of Gold Coast Chinatown in the heart of Southport is ideal given its proximity to new public transport infrastructure, retail centres, education institutes, public amenity and recreation. Adjacencies: The nature of complementary activities in the surrounding area and their proximity and integration with the precinct is critical. The CBD status of Southport and the plans to build upon its role as the business centre of the Gold Coast will provide good access to a range of markets and increase its attractiveness.
The Retail Experience Retail Mix: The right tenant mix and leasing is important to create a vibrant and evolving precinct. There is a focus on smaller independent retailers who contribute to the atmosphere and provide a range of dining experiences, food type and price points. Retailers or collections of retailers can serve to be an attractor in their own right; the offer is typically differentiated from other locations in the vicinity. A number of Asian food outlets already exist in Gold Coast Chinatown. The future retail mix should contain a greater range of Asian food and beverage offers as well as non-food retail.
Critical Mass: Dining and retail precincts are successful when there is a critical mass of activity and a range of choice. Co-location and clustering of retail avoids dispersal of retail activity into isolated locations and benefits retailers through cross-usage and exposure to passing traffic. Gold Coast Chinatown has the potential to create a strong dining and retail destination which will contribute to the existing Gold Coast dining and retail experience. Given its adjacencies to a number of other important drivers within Southport Chinatown will create a critical mass.
Pedestrian Access: Chinatowns can be destinations in their own right; however a location on a pedestrian track (between key activities generators) is important. Access to good public transport can also play a role in moving people to and from the precinct. Gold Coast Chinatown will be a key pedestrian link providing access from the light rail station on Nerang Street, Broadwater
A strong opportunity exists to attract a diverse retail offer that will include quality products and brands that are sought after by Chinese tourists.
Retail Marketing and Profile: Chinatowns must have their own identity or profile and are marketed as a precinct to create a strong brand and identity. The Gold Coast Chinatown management structure will be crucial to the development of its identity and profile. Once it is established it will require strong focus, promotion and consistency to assist the precinct to grow organically.
Parklands and the Gold Coast Institute of TAFE to Australia Fair Shopping Centre, Southport Central and the Southport Library.
Multiple Markets: Chinatowns must have access to multiple markets to drive the precinct at all times. For example, a large working population assists to provide business at lunchtime and also after work. This supplements the visitor and local resident market usage and promotes return/repeat visitation. Chinatown will have the ability to attract multiple markets during the day and the night as the number of workers, students and visitors increases. It also has the potential to attract more of the existing residential population into the precinct as more dining and retail options become available.
Quality Fit-out: High quality and interesting shop fit-outs significantly add to the overall experience and ambience of Chinatown precincts. A diversity of building types also plays a part in setting the precinct apart from other areas. The tenants of Chinatown have an important role to play in the authenticity and character of the precinct. Flexible guidelines should be established to help new businesses to construct fit outs and external shop treatments which contribute to the experience and attractiveness of the street.
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Chinatown design
The design of Chinatown is critical to ensure it provides an authentic experience and is reflective of cultural considerations and tradition. The design approach is focused on the public realm and streetscape outcomes as well as the interface with existing built form and land use. The design objectives provide for flexible use of the space to support the growth of the precinct and allow for events and activities to occur within it. It will also create a precinct which is recognisable as Chinatown.
The design objective: Provide flexible space to support the growth of Chinatown 32
A feng shui analysis and cultural design workshop informed the authentic design Feng Shui Analysis In 2012, the Gold Coast Chinatown Association arranged for the feng shui master from Sydney Chinatown, Master John Wong to perform a feng shui analysis of Gold Coast Chinatown. The feng shui master identified the Chinese cultural and spiritual elements of the street and the symbolism of particular locations. The feng shui determined the location of the three Paifang that signify the entrances to the precinct. Each Paifang and section of the street has particular orientation and geography that is reflective of Chinese symbolism and meaning.
Cultural Design Workshop In April 2013 four of Gold Coast’s Sister Cites were invited to attend an international design workshop to inspire the cultural embellishments of Chinatown. Two delegates from Zhuhai and Taipei visited the city between 21 - 25 April, Ms Joyce Lin from Taipei City Government Department of Urban Development and Ms Xiaomei Lan from Zhuhai Institute of Urban Planning and Design. The intensive day long design workshop brought together key stakeholders, representative of the Chinese community, businesses,
design experts and universities. The design workshop established the cultural design intent for Chinatown which will be reflected through the street furniture, decorative lighting, signage, public art and the Paifang.
Design and form will have reference to historic Asian patterns and symbolism although will be distinctly Gold Coast. The design intent is to create a bold, striking, vibrant, colourful, memorable, unique, confident, exhilarating, fun, active and welcoming place.
The overarching design intent is inspired by the Gold Coast’s unique character, culture and physical qualities and by the elements of the feng shui. The design intent also reflects the subtropical characteristics that the Gold Coast shares with its Asian Sister Cities.
The cultural embellishments will reflect the Gold Coast and Asian influences of: Gold representing the gold in Gold Coast, the sun and our golden beaches as well as being a symbol of good luck and wealth in Asian culture; and the Cloud/Wave symbol which represents our blue skies, rolling surf and rivers. This is also a symbol of good luck and a common element of our coastal Sister Cities. The golden wave will be a common symbol throughout the precinct.
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The design and construction of Chinatown will occur in three phases: Phase 1 Streetscape
Phase 2 Cultural embellishments
Phase 3 Gateways
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Streetscape concept design
35
Phase 1 Streetscape The total streetscape funding for Young and Davenport Streets Southport is $3.5 million. The Chinatown streetscape is being delivered by the City's Centre Improvement Program and is funded in part by the property owners of Young and Davenport Streets. The streetscape will form the foundation on which Chinatown will be built. The key design characteristics of the streetscape design include: ··
One way a section of Young Street to allow flexibility for future use, i.e. street events, whilst also acting as a traffic calming design element and preventing rat-running.
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Slow traffic to 30 kilometres allowing for street tree planting and outdoor dining – creates an improved ambience and activation of the precinct.
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Safer crossings for pedestrians.
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Improved pedestrian outcomes with upgraded footpaths and the use of dish drains (no gutter) – allows flexibility of the space and the use of car parks for future retail and dining innovations.
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Authentic streetscape, road and footpath detailing is inspired by Asian elements and materials.
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Space for Paifang and public art.
The design has been developed in consideration of current community and business needs and is adaptable to allow for the proposed use of the precinct. The streetscape design has been based on feng shui and Chinese garden design which includes water, mountains, vegetation and architecture. The Chinese Bagua has informed design elements such as the pavement.
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Chinese Bagua - Trigram
Street typology The Chinatown design has allowed for flexible use of the public space for a range of activites to occur within the amenity lane and to maintain clear pedestrian movement on the footpath. Young and Davenport Streets are designated as market streets in the 2011 Gold Coast Rapid Transit Corridor Study. The design intent is for these streets to be the heart of the community. These busy and active streets encourage slow movement through the shared use of space. Treatments are high quality and detailed to denote their use and encourage dynamic retail activity. Cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles share the space which is shaded and rich with lush landscaping, outdoor dining, diverse retail, shade structures and public art.
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Road layout
Function
38
··
A section of Young Street from Davenport to Scarborough Street will be one way. A number of options were tested through a Paramics Micro-simulation traffic model. This option allows for this section of the street to be closed for events.
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The aim of the road layout is to improve the pedestrian and vehicular conflict points and to facilitate a street which is more pedestrian friendly rather than vehicle dominated.
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Road widths will be narrowed to reduce vehicular traffic speeds and therefore improve pedestrian safety. Road widths will comply with Australian Standards.
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Crossing points and threshold points will be visually emphasised to create improved awareness at these points.
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The road width at crossing points are reduced by half to minimise the amount of time pedestrians are on the road.
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Kerb and channel will be limited to the entry points of the precinct. A flush kerb / invert drain design will allow greater permeability and a seamless transition between the footpath and road.
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The pedestrian crossing points reflects the Chinese lattice design in red.
Onstreet parking
Key
15 Minute
1 Hour
Loading zone
30 Minute
2 Hour
Disability parking
Function ··
There is a minimal loss of car parks to accommodate a pedestrian friendly street, improved tree planting and to allow for the Paifang.
··
Proposed time limits are based on existing business requirements.
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Loading zones have been located at the end, or, start of car parking rows for ease and convenience. These loading zones will be all vehicle parking after an agreed time. e.g. 12am-10am commercial only/10am-12am all vehicles. This will allow more car park spaces for customers during business hours.
··
The car parking bay surface finish is influenced by Chinese symbolism. A fishnet pattern will be used in the car park spaces as fish in Chinese sounds like the word for affluence and abundance symbolising wealth.
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The carpark treatment will allow for future flexibility, with car park spaces easily converted into pedestrian amenity space.
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Car parking is to have a different surface finish to the travel lanes to give the perception that the road, from kerb to kerb, is narrower. 39
Pavement design
Function
Form
··
Cross-fall grades will be improved to comply with Australian Standards. This will be achieved by widening or raising the footpath in certain locations with the addition of retaining walls or steps.
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A curved path is achieved by using two different paving colours which helps deter evil spirits and also represents a flowing river.
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An increase in pedestrian circulation space around entry and crossing points will allow for better pedestrian safety and less congestion. These areas will create recreation and amenity opportunities such as outdoor dining, photography and wheelbarrow trading.
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Pavement pattern locations correlate to the trigrams on the Bagua.
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Pavement banding is designed on diagonals to create a dynamic and contemporary look. The angles flow to the other side of the street to help connect the two sides together.
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Pavement finish will minimise stain and dirt build up and create a visibly cleaner footpath.
Outdoor dining
Key
Outdoor dining opportunities
··
Outdoor dining opportunities are proposed throughout the precinct. The areas identified are indicative locations and each outdoor license is granted on a case by case basis.
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Outdoor dining will be located in the amenity lane of the footpath and fills the area remaining after other streetscape elements have been accommodated.
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Flexible footpath, carparking and amenity space has been carefully designed to allow for the growth of the precinct and the positive impact activation has on the vitality of streets. 41
Street lighting
42
··
To avoid cluttering the street with unwanted furniture items, smart poles are proposed to provide: street lighting; CCTV opportunities; footpath lighting; banners; and three phase power.
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Reference to the golden cloud is proposed to be incorporated in the design of the light poles.
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Uplighting is to be incorporated to emphasise the visual amenity of the tree plantings at night.
Bollards, bins and banners
Key
··
A series of changeable banners will be located throughout to align with seasonal/cultural events within the precinct and surrounding area.
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The bins and bollards will reflect the Chinatown design intent.
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Light bollards will be positioned to add ambient lighting at pedestrian crossings and safety.
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It is proposed that bollards will be removable where possible to allow seamless use of the space when closed to traffic.
Bollards Bins
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Landscaping
Key Existing Tree Shade Tree Street Tree Feature Tree Aromatic Tree Wall Shelter
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Planting design is influenced by feng shui principles and traditional Chinese garden design. This includes the use of yin and yang planting characteristics and flowering plants for positive energy and aroma. Trees
Shelter
··
An increase in the number of street trees will provide shade and improve visual amenity.
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A shelter structure is proposed outside Australia Fair West.
··
··
Trees will be used to help 'anchor' the Paifang; the idea is to provide a backdrop to the Paifang structure so the Paifang does not sit isolated in the street.
The shelter will be light weight and will protect users from wet weather.
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The location of the shelter is based on the availability of footpath space due to the building set back in this location.
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The shelter can provide for outdoor dining and will be a focal point for events and markets.
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It symbolises the architectural element of traditional Chinese garden design and will provide structure for an aromatic climbing plant native to Asia.
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Feature trees are proposed for entry points and threshold points within the precinct. Aromatic trees are to be located around sitting areas.
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Existing trees in Davenport Street will be kept to retain the existing character.
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No trees will be located within vehicular sightlines.
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In keeping with feng shui and Chinese garden design principles, trees will be located in random formation to avoid creating a linear corridor.
Groundcover ··
··
··
Walls ··
The use of retaining and freestanding walls throughout the streetscape symbolises the mountains in Chinese garden design and energy they represent in feng shui.
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Groundcover planting will be used to increase the visual amenity of the site and also complement the proposed tree species.
The rock-clad surface will reflect textures and colours to provide a visual resemblance of mountains.
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Groundcover will balance the hardscape and softscape of the street and emphasise the entry points and intersections.
The walls enable improved footpath grades and add a vertical element to the streetscape design, whilst also providing seating and rest areas.
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Feature lighting on the wall facades will increase visual amenity at night.
The shape of the garden beds will take on an abstract version of the golden cloud symbol.
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Phase 2 Cultural embellishments
Decorative lighting
The golden cloud will be exhibited through the cultural embellishments including street furniture, decorative lighting, signage and public art. These elements will clearly reflect the Gold Coast's relationship with the Asia region.
Key
46
Lanterns
Centrepiece
··
Lighting is an integral part of Gold Coast Chinatown.
··
Light provides an opportunity to create a unique and memorable night time atmosphere that will come to define the precinct and in turn be vital in creating its identity and image.
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The highlight will be the Asian inspired lanterns and artist designed centrepiece.
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Suspended or fixed ornamental ambient lighting will influence the overall effect, mood and experience of the precinct.
Bollard lighting
Wall lighting
··
Theatrical feature lighting, such as culturally relevant video, moving or fixed images, can be projected onto vertical and/or horizontal surfaces on the ground, walls or overhead. The images can be changed in accordance with seasons or events as needed, creating an ever changing canvas and opportunity to engage artist and designers.
··
Shop fronts and restaurants will substantially contribute to the lighting theme and ambience of the precinct.
Street furniture
··
Gold Coast Chinatown furniture suite will include consistent and bespoke package of seats and benches, bicycle racks, drinking fountains and tree grates.
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A cohesive furniture suite will strengthen the unique identity and cultural significance of the precinct, minimise clutter and improve the overall visual quality of the space.
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Patterns and colour choice will be rich and meaningful and reflect their location within the precinct.
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Public art
48
··
Culturally specific art will be used to embed meaning into the public space and create a sense of identity.
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Gold Coast Chinatown artworks will ground the new design in its Southport context and make the place clearly Asian in style as well as interesting and welcoming.
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Artworks will include large signature sculptural pieces as well as small intricate and meaningful works.
Way finding
··
A consistent package of signage and wayfinding devices will help people navigate the precinct.
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Signage will be located within the precinct at key locations and include directional as well as informative signage.
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External directional signs will draw people into the precinct and also to other local destinations.
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Phase 3 Gateways Three gates will signify the entrances to Gold Coast Chinatown. The traditional Chinese name for these gates are Paifang. They represent a gateway that welcomes people to a community and creates a sense of arrival. The Paifang will symbolise the Gold Coast's relationship with our Sister Cities and as gateways to these Cities. The three gates, whilst all unique will have commonalities which identify them as part of a family of sisters, but demonstrate the individual cultural aspects of each Sister City. As a result of the design workshop the following principles for the Paifang have been established. The Paifang are to be: 1. Welcoming The Paifang must convey a sense of arrival for all visitors from all entry points to the precinct. 2. Contemporary The Paifang are to be clearly legible as traditional gates to a Chinatown precinct. However, the interpretation of the gates should reflect our modern relationship with the Asia Pacific Region. 3. Family of Sisters The three unique Paifang will represent each individual city but clearly relate to one another and be recognisable as part of a family. 4. Hierarchy The Paifang on Davenport Street, as the main entry point, is the most important arrival gate. 5. Innovation The Paifang should embrace innovative and cutting edge design. The integration of lighting and digital technology is encouraged.
The City of Gold Coast will continue to work with our Sister Cities to progress the design, fabrication and installation of the Paifang.
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Paifang
Proposed Paifang envelope
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Chinatown implementation
Implementation is critical to the success of Chinatown and in realising the investment and revitalisation opportunities as a result of the City’s commitment to the precinct. Beyond the design, the implementation strategies ensure that Chinatown will offer an authentic experience, bring people into the precinct and take advantage of international investment and business attraction opportunities. The implementation approach has been based on international experience and is focused on leveraging the City’s existing activities such as the investment attraction program and enhancing current initiatives by working in partnership with the private sector, international connections and existing business. This approach will ensure that Chinatown becomes a destination which contributes to the multicultural experience of the Gold Coast during the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
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The implementation objective: Offer an authentic Asian experience and bring people into Southport 53
events strategy
The City of Gold Coast is renowned for its lifestyle and events, there is something happening everyday in the city. Gold Coast Chinatown will contribute to this rich fabric of cultural entertainment and will be the destination of a range of multicultural events and festivals.
Gold Coast Chinatown will transform from one festival to the next and bring people of diverse backgrounds together to celebrate family, friends, food, seasons and tradition. The aim of the events strategy is to grow existing key events and add new multicultural events commencing with a citywide Lunar New Year Celebration in Chinatown in 2015. The Young and Davenport streets have been designed to accommodate a range of events and activities within the street and to allow the road to be closed temporarily for dining, markets, performances, fire crackers and fireworks. An ongoing program of events will be held throughout the year and can play an important role in the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Chinatown will be the
Events Calendar
destination
Chinatown Grand Opening
for multicultural events and festivals
First citywide Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year Dragon Boat Festival Chinatown Street Market Dumpling Festival Mid Autumn Festival Qing Ming Festival Multi Cultural Week
2014 54
2015
2016
2017
2018
Dragon Boat Festival The keystone event on the Chinatown calendar is the annual Dragon Boat Festival held in the Southport Broadwater Parklands. The Dragon Boat Festival has been held on the Gold Coast since 1985 and continues to grow every year. In 2012 the event was held for the first time in the Southport Broadwater and a number of interstate teams joined the tournament. In 2013 teams from around the world are invited to compete as part of the City of Gold Coast Sister City program. As one of the fastest growing sports in the world, the vision is for this event to become the preeminent Dragon Boat event in the southern hemisphere and to attract teams from around the world to participate. The Dragon Boat Festival also incorporates the cultural festivals gala including the eye dotting ceremony, lion dancing, Tai Chi demonstrations, Asian food stalls and traditional music and performance.
Mid Autumn Festival (15th of the 8th lunar month)
The Mid Autumn Festival occurs on the full moon of the 8th lunar month and is associated with traditions of moon gazing and moon worship. It is also known as the Mooncake Festival because of the delicious mooncakes which are only made and sold during this festival. People from all over the Gold Coast will come to share in the light display, the lantern procession and mooncakes. The festival consists of three fundamental meanings which are closely tied to one another: ··
Gathering - Family and friends coming together, or harvesting crops.
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Thanksgiving - to give thanks for the harvest, or for harmonious unions.
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Praying - (asking for conceptual or material satisfaction), such as for babies, a spouse, beauty, longevity, or for a good future.
Lunar New Year
Traditions and myths surrounding the festival are formed around these three meanings.
Lunar New Year is the most important date in the Asian cultural calendar and is recognised around the world. It is a time for families to reunite and welcome the promise of new opportunities and more prosperity. Celebrations traditionally run from Lunar New Year's Day, to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the month, making the festival the longest in the Asian calendar.
Chinatown Street Market
(1st to 15th of the 1st lunar month)
Chinatown will be the focus of city wide festivities with each new year celebration reflecting the Chinese Zodiac and the attributes of that animal. The streets of Chinatown will be decorated in red and motif’s which represent "good fortune" and "happiness". It will be filled with families and friends who come together to celebrate a range of traditions including reunion dinner, dumplings, new year cake and fireworks.
Dumpling Festival (5th of the 5th lunar month)
Food is such an important part of any culture. The effect of Asian culture and farmers markets on the health and growth of our nation cannot be underestimated. Immigrants coming to Australia brought with them an abundance of knowledge and new foods, cooking techniques, which we all enjoy. The Chinatown street market will blend cuisine from across Asia and inspire a celebration of food for locals and visitors. It will have an eclectic mix of stalls with traditional and modern merchandise from hand made ornaments to mass produced accessories, street food and entertainment. The local shops and restaurants will benefit from the increased number of visitors to the precinct.
The Dumpling Festival commemorates the legend of the patriot Qu Yuan. Traditions on this day include: feasting on dumplings, dragon boat races, swapping dumpling and games such as standing an egg on its end. Commonly known as ‘ba zhang’, dumplings are traditionally filled with meat, mushrooms and chestnuts, glutinous rice known as ‘zong zi’ is also eaten at this time. 55
retail strategy
Gold Coast Chinatown Retail Strategy will attract new business and help existing business to respond to the changing retail opportunities and cultural considerations. It will form an important component of the growth of Chinatown and is initially focussed on increasing the food and beverage offer. The estimated retail expenditure in a 2 minute drive time from Chinatown is $95.8 million. Australia Fair and surrounding retail account for approximately 50% of this retail, which means there is an estimated $49.8 million being spent outside of the local area. A variety of food and beverage tenants will increase the vibrancy of the area. Which in turn will attract non-food tenants and commercial business to support the CBD outcome for Southport. A successful dining and retail destination will attract people to the precinct at all times of the day and night and support the development of a night time economy in Southport. The retail strategy is aimed at attracting a variety of multicultural stores from Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Malaysian, Korean, Filipino and Japanese origin and to offer a range of complementary professional services. As Chinatown evolves and new development occurs, the retail focus will be on attracting medium to high-end retail that will service the growing affluent Asian tourist market and CBD professionals. 56
For the most, part the private sector will be responsible for delivering the retail strategy. The immediate opportunity is the redevelopment of the western side of the Australia Fair Shopping Centre which consists of approximately 10,000sqm of low grade retail on short term leases and discount stores. The importance of the redevelopment of Australia Fair cannot be underestimated. It can deliver an Asian inspired mix of retailers to take advantage of the improved streetscape and outdoor dining opportunities. There is the ability to attract large anchor tenants which will create a critical mass of activity.
The objectives of the retail strategy are to: ··
Bring people into the precinct both day and night.
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Increase the amount of time and money people spend in the precinct.
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Encourage repeat visits.
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Support high quality outdoor dining.
The second floor of Australia Fair West currently contains a car park and some small tenancies. It is proposed that this area could provide Asian inspired health and medical services such as Chinese herbalist, acupuncture and wellness services.
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Develop a diverse and authentic Asian retail offer which continually evolves.
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Attract new and exciting retailers from both national and international markets to broaden the retail and commercial mix.
A large scale restaurant and function centre has been identified to host events such as weddings and international delegations. It could also provide private business meeting rooms which are common throughout Asia. Currently no such facility exists in Gold Coast City to accommodate this market.
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Provide increased economic return to retailers through a range of events.
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Create a critical mass and a diverse mix of tenants offering different types of food and different styles of dining.
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Provide a unique shopping experience which will add to the city’s existing offer.
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Provide an exciting and easily accessible retail and dining destination.
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Deliver cooperative marketing campaigns which improve the image of Southport and maximise visitation from the Broadwater Parklands.
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Support retailers to provide innovative retail concepts such as the activation of the laneways.
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Forge greater links with Gold Coast Institute of TAFE and Griffith University to encourage new business concepts.
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Reduce vacancy rates and provide opportunities for creativity and innovation.
The City can influence retail outcomes by undertaking the following activities:
1.
Ensuring property owners and traders are aware of the Chinatown retail strategy.
2.
Identifying preferred tenants and retail mix and working with leasing and real estate agents.
3.
Targeting key anchor tenants to existing and future retail space.
4.
Ensuring planning and local laws support the retail and operational objectives.
5.
Linking existing retailers with training and development opportunities.
% of Shop Count
Food Specialties
% of Shop Count
Homewares
Fruit and Vegetables
5.6%
Electrical/Sound/Computers
1.4%
Butcher
4.2%
Homewares
1.4%
Fresh Seafood
2.8%
Total Homewares
2.8%
Bakery/Cakes/Pastries
2.8%
Retail Services
Other Specialty Food
2.8%
Key Cutting, Shoe/Watch Repairs
1.4%
Total Food Specialties
18.2%
Phone and Mobile Communications
1.4%
Optometrist
1.4%
Hairdressing/Beauty
6%
Other Retail Services
2.8%
Total Retail Services
13%
Food Catering Takeaway Food
The key to the retail success of Chinatown is being able to draw from a number of different markets. Gold Coast Chinatown benefits from its central location within Southport and being highly accessible by foot, car and public transport. Residents from the greater Gold Coast region, CBD workers and tourists, as well as local residents will easily be able to access the precinct. In addition, Chinatown will appeal to a broad cross-section of the community including families, younger and older crowds, as well as the Asian and multicultural markets. Careful consideration has been given to the type of retail tenants that need to be targeted to ensure that a diverse tenant mix is achieved. The adjacent table is indicative of the retail mix which will be encouraged in Chinatown.
5.6%
Cafe/Restaurant
30.8%
Total Food Specialties
36.4%
Apparel
Other Non Retail
Women's Apparel
1.4%
Footwear
1.4%
Fashion Accessories
1.4%
Total Apparel
4.2%
General Retail Giftware
4.2%
Pharmacy and Cosmetics
1.4%
Jewellery
2.8%
Newsagents and Stationery
1.4%
Total General Retail
9.8%
Source: Based on a review of other Chinatown Precincts and heavily asian influenced shopping centres; Urbis
Travel Agents
1.4%
Bank (Asian)
2.8%
Real Estate (Asian)
2.8%
Medical & Dental
2.8%
Other Non-Retail
5.8%
Total Non-Retail
15.6%
Total Shops
100%
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investment strategy Australia’s Gold Coast is ‘open for business’ and committed to attracting foreign investment and facilitating development. Many major corporations are already recognising the Gold Coast as an ideal place to invest. With a combination of lower costs, a highly-skilled local workforce, a stunning environment, world-class infrastructure, and a supportive business environment; the City of Gold Coast offers an ideal location conducive to business success. Gold Coast Chinatown Investment Strategy supports the broader objective to reinforce Southport as the CBD of the Gold Coast. Whilst the initial role of Gold Coast Chinatown will be as a diverse food and beverage precinct, the activity and vibrancy of the precinct will assist in the overall attractiveness of Southport as a commercial location. It is also argued that the amenity and diversity that a Chinatown brings to city centres contributes to their overall strength as places to do business, to entertain, to live and to be educated.
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The Chinatown Investment Strategy is to attract investment into the city from the Asia Pacific region and to facilitate business opportunities for existing and potential business targets. Three key initiatives will be undertaken as part of the investment strategy for Chinatown with the intention to develop a world-class mix of business, retail, hospitality and entertainment. These three strategies include: a)
Local business initiatives
Regular engagement with business owners, landlords and tenants within Chinatown to identify current and future opportunities such as redevelopment, business attraction, cultural awareness and export market development.
b) New development
Focus on attracting development projects and the redevelopment of existing sites in accordance with the City of Gold Coast planning scheme and/or the Southport Priority Development Area (PDA).
c)
Targeted business attraction
One on one meetings with companies identified by City of Gold Coast as suitable targets for business investment in Chinatown.
Attraction of an anchor tenant to Chinatown.
City of Gold Coast’s dedicated team of professionals are available to provide advice and introductions specific to investment requirements and can assist companies to take advantage of the city’s investment attraction initiatives. The City of Gold Coast Investment Attraction Program incorporates a suite of services to assist companies with relocating or expanding to the city. The program offers financial assistance, streamlined development applications, assistance with site selection and business case support. Focused on delivering the best infrastructure and supporting our major industries, City of Gold Coast is dedicated to ensuring the city’s economic growth. Already the knowledge of the Chinatown precinct has sparked interest from overseas property investors, local property owners and businesses that have chosen to locate in the precinct because of Chinatown.
governance and management
In arriving at the recommended governance and management structure for Gold Coast Chinatown, consideration has been given to a range of models that currently exist within both the Australian and international contexts. These models have been researched and analysed detailing both their advantages and disadvantages in delivering the types of outcomes that the City and the Southport business community envisage for Chinatown. Whilst models around the world range from dedicated Chinatown associations to no definitive management, they all perform similar activities, such as, place management, promotions and events as well as general upkeep and refurbishments of streetscapes, tenancies and cultural aspects. In all the models considered, local government plays a central role in the management and funding of Chinatown precincts around the world. To ensure the success of Gold Coast Chinatown, and to realise the benefits from investment and activation the City needs to support the ongoing management and funding of the precinct particularly during it's establishment. Gold Coast Chinatown governance and management will develop in consideration of City of Gold Coast’s intention to establish a Priority Development Area (PDA) under the Economic Development Act 2012 to create a Southport CBD. This offers the potential to construct the Chinatown governance model in such a way to allow it to be incorporated or evolve into a broader model for the promotion and revitalisation of Southport.
The Chinatown governance and management model needs to have:
Leadership Alongside the City, the Gold Coast Chinatown Association will continue to play an important role in the evolution of Chinatown. The Gold Coast Chinatown Association will be responsible for delivery of the events strategy and the coordination of a range of multicultural events including sponsorship and funding, event attraction and growth.
Management A dedicated place manager is proposed to provide overall management of the precinct including investment attraction, marketing and promotion, influencing the tenant mix as well as operational, public realm and coordination improvements.
Implementation Includes a range of mechanism and tools to implement the Gold Coast Chinatown Precinct Plan and achieve its objectives. This relates to the short term identification and delivery of specific tasks to improve the attractiveness of the precinct for potential investors and business. To ensure the effective operation of the precinct both public and private will work together towards achieving the Chinatown objectives.
The management structure will evolve overtime to respond to unique challenges as the precinct grows.
As has been the case in the development of Chinatowns around the world, funds are required to support the establishment of the precinct. The required funds and resources are usually committed through local authorities to promote the precinct and manage challenges associated with its growth.
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other attractions
Ultimately Chinatown will include a number of attractions which will be contributed to by the private sector through new developments and funding. Multicultural Centre
Reflection Gardens
One of the key components of Chinatown is a purpose built multicultural exhibition and education centre. It is proposed that this centre will be a hub of multicultural activity and education on the Gold Coast.
Chinatown is envisioned to have a reflection garden which represents the Taoist principles of 'Yin-Yang' and the five elements of earth, fire, water, metal and wood. These principles also emphasise the importance of Qi as the central force of life and energy and represent the harmony that should exist between man and nature.
The centre will provide an opportunity for cultural exchange between a number of multicultural groups and local school children to learn about Asian and other cultures, traditions and history. It will provide exhibition and gallery space to showcase both historic and artistic cultural exhibitions. This space will be programmed with collections from Gold Coast and the community, overseas governments and private collectors, as well as Australian exhibitions and local artists. It is envisioned that the centre will provide educational workshops and classes on a wide range topics from Asian and other cultures; such as calligraphy, traditional dance, meditation and philosophy. The centre will allow the community, students and visitors to be immersed in cultural activities, music, dance, performance, art and history which will contribute to the rich diversity of our city. The centre is proposed to provide much needed office space and administrative support for multicultural groups across the city. The multicultural centre will provide key services and information and will welcome all members of the community.
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This style of garden has evolved over 3,000 years, with large gardens built by Chinese emperors and members of the Imperial Family, and with small intimate gardens favoured by scholars, poets, officials, soldiers and merchants. In line with historic Chinese gardens, the Reflection Garden will be an intimate setting where modern day scholars from the surrounding educational establishments and local business people can escape from the outside world. It is envisioned that the Reflection Garden will blend with the landscaping treatments of Young and Davenport Streets which draws inspiration from this design style, utilising elements that are in balance and part of the whole. The garden will include sculptural elements and public seating. It is planned to be a community garden that is up-kept by members of the local community, with involvement from Gold Coast Chinatown Association and local school groups. The garden will have additional community benefit by acting as a tool for education and cultural exchange.
Provide an opportunity for cultural exchange
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Establishment timeline Paifang Installation
Precinct Plan Launch Construction Commences
International Design Workshop
Ongoing Management and Governance
Detailed Design
2013
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Grand Opening
2014
2015
Contact: Gold Coast City Council Shaelee Richards Coordinator Project Feasibility & Partnerships email: srichards@goldcoast.qld.gov.au phone: +61 7 5581 7742 web: www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au
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