Gold Coast Proposes World-First Arts Precinct in Miami Depot Repurposing

A major arts precinct, billed as a world first, is being proposed for the Gold Coast as the council seeks expressions of interest to help build it. The City of Gold Coast wants to repurpose an existing council depot in Miami into a dedicated creative arts space aimed at fostering the city's screen, technology, and gaming industries. Planned across a four-hectare site, the precinct would include facilities for film production and visual effects, residential, retail and commercial spaces such as cafes and shops, and open-air public areas. Council expects the Miami Arts Depot will generate $130 million in annual economic activity and support 1,000 new jobs. Mayor Tom Tate said the vision was "unapologetic" and put the city's arts sectors — particularly film — on the world stage. "We're going to be able to attract top end, A-class movie stars to come here," he said. "That is just going to pick us up to be a very strong screen industry, I'd say right up there with London, Bollywood, Hollywood, Goldy-wood. You name the 'wood' and we'll be there." Cr Tate said the precinct would equally cater to Australian talent including aspiring young creatives. Award-winning Australian director Baz Luhrmann and his wife Catherine Martin's production company Bazmark has been signed on as the project's chief creative partner. Invest Gold Coast chairman Will Hodgman said it was projects such as the proposed arts depot that were keeping the city at the forefront of "what's happening in Australia's economy". Mr Hodgman said enlisting Luhrmann and Martin as the anchor tenants also reflected the city's cultural strength. "It's a sign, a demonstration of the confidence that people have in the Gold Coast," Mr Hodgman said. Luhrmann said the depot's state-of-the-art post-production studios would cater to a segment of the film industry previously missing from the Gold Coast. Local MP, club opposed Artist renders for the depot released on Tuesday feature open air spaces, multi-storey buildings, fountains and green areas. Asked about Luhrmann's degree of input in the designs and how much control the community retained over the final look, the mayor said: "We get the final decision." "It's wonderful to have other creative people giving us input but the final approval is the city's," Cr Tate said. He also rejected claims by Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens that council was trying to sneak in multiple 30-storey buildings within the precinct. "We only want to build what the surrounding community want to cherish," the mayor said. Mr Stevens has told the ABC he would continue to oppose any high-rise development, and said he had received negative feedback about the project from hundreds of community members. The Gold Coast Gymnastics Club at neighbouring Pizzey Park also expressed frustration about the planned depot, saying it jeopardised its future. "While we have received verbal assurances that the club would be supported, to date there has been no formal relocation strategy, facility commitment, or clear pathway presented to provide certainty for our members, athletes, families, and staff," general manager Ross Cunningham said in a statement. Cr Tate said council was doing a "master plan" for the whole area which would also take into account the potential impact on the sporting precinct. Council's EOI is seeking proposals from organisations with expertise across large-scale, mixed-use development, investment-precinct delivery and creative-industry integration. Mr Hodgman said after submissions closed on July 31, proponents would be shortlisted before a development partner was finalised mid-next year. He said the depot redevelopment could begin in 2028.