Skypark Gold Coast by AJ Hackett
AJ Hackett International has been consulting with the City of Gold Coast, various State departments and many other stakeholders since 2021. The potential ‘Skypark Gold Coast by AJ Hackett’ is proposed for Philip Park on State leasehold land held in Trust by the City of Gold Coast. The proposal is for a small area located opposite the Seaworld carpark that represents less than 8% of the Philip Park area and a fraction of the size of Seaworld.
The proposed location is a fraction of Philip Park and dwarfed by the scale of Seaworld
A Skypark by AJ Hackett located at Philip Park would enhance the public recreation benefits and clearly address the intent to provide a publicly permeable and accessible tourism offering which is sensitively located and integrated into the public realm of Philip Park, the Oceanway project, and Federation Walk. Entry will be free and the local community and tourists will benefit from a well placed observation tower with ocean, city and broadwater views, along with a safe, protected swimming and splash play recreation park in a Southbank-style experience.
This project aims to deliver much more for the community of the Gold Coast than just an adventure tourism precinct, and as a responsible and community-oriented organisation we are committed to engaging with the community and bringing a sustainable and environmentally friendly world-class tourism attraction to the Gold Coast with the lowest possible impact to The Spit.
Observation Tower comparable to heights of Seaworld, in the order of 50m
The proposal maintains a strong alignment with the overall intent and planning principles of the Master Plan, respecting the balance of public realm integration, conservation efforts, and facilitating tourism on The Spit. The Spit Master Plan identifies Philip Park as a “potential development opportunity” and after more than a year of consultation we saw alignment with our proposed Skypark by AJ Hackett brand and Philip Park. Our proposal seeks to strike a balance of protection and appreciation of the natural environment through a small and permeable development footprint, while fulfilling the broad strategy of economic development within the Spit Master Plan.
The City Plan’s Open Space zone code applicable to Philip Park speaks to allowing built form which allows for a flexible range of recreational activities while being sensitive to neighbouring development and landscape features.
Planning context with Skypark Gold Coast at Philip Park
Regarding the use of Philip Park by local residents, we acknowledge its significance and want to assure the community that the proposed Skypark Gold Coast will respect the park's function and amenity. This includes pedestrian integration with the Oceanway project and the surrounding pedestrian pathway network, including access to the beach. We will ensure walking and cycling paths are not only protected but improved and encouraged to be used. This aligns with the aspirations of Skypark Gold Coast as an active and welcoming recreational space, in line with the Spit Masterplan's pedestrian focus.
A Skypark Gold Coast would include thrilling bungy, giant swing, adventure play and zipline experiences the company was famous for, but in a community setting integrating public recreation spaces and important walkways and trails that lead people throughout The Spit.
Our purpose is to positively change peoples lives for the better
Our proposal should not be seen as another 'theme park'. The experiences offered by the Skypark by AJ Hackett brand rely heavily on a flourishing natural environment, meaning that Skypark Gold Coast has an inherent incentive to work in alignment with community groups and ensure that development facilitates and encourages responsible custodianship of the natural environment.
AJHI’s commitment to protecting and appreciating the natural environment is a core element of the brand's commercial success over more than three decades. The Skypark brand relies heavily on a flourishing natural environment, which incentivises us to work in alignment with community groups and First Nation People to ensure responsible custodianship of the natural environment and we take this very seriously in everything we do.
Skypark Cairns is nestled adjacent to World Heritage Listed Rainforest, since 1990
Our team has worked successfully with First Nation and environment groups at our Cairns facility over many decades, in fact since 1990, and we want to take that approach to a new level on The Spit. In Cairns, our property borders the World Heritage Listed Rainforest and we have proven to be responsible custodians for over three decades.
Our track record on environment is important with a littoral rainforest being restored adjacent to Phillip Park, and Federation Walk and Oceanway being enhanced. This represents an enormous opportunity to sensitively grow a nature-based tourism hub.
While the proposal by AJHI is separate and not related to the development currently being undertaken on the western side of Seaworld Drive, it is noted that the proposed Skypark Gold Coast facility will act as a tourism drawcard to nearby local tourism operators, and a synergistic relationship is actively encouraged. We are seeking partnerships to work towards the objectives of local, state and federal tourism strategies.
Our promise is to act sustainably and be trusted for the care of our people, our customers and the planet
To understand and address community concerns in a genuine and meaningful way, AJ Hackett International is embarking on an extensive community engagement program. We are committed to listening to the community and understanding its needs, wants, and concerns. We value community input and aim to address any issues raised during the consultation process and understand a project of this significance will naturally generate passionate discussion. We welcome that and the community can reach out to us directly at [email protected] or follow project updates on Facebook.
AJ Hackett is the world's leading adventure tourism company, founded in Queenstown NZ in 1988, and now operating in many countries as far abroad as France, through the Asian markets and in Cairns, Australia.
Skypark by AJ Hackett is an inclusive, family friendly brand