Plans to complete the continuous 36-kilometer coastal pathway require navigating beachfront land constraints and coastal dune conservation.
The Gold Coast's coastal identity relies heavily on public access to its 52 kilometers of open beaches. The Oceanway—an ongoing, long-term master-planned network of shared pedestrian and cycle pathways—aims to provide a continuous active transport corridor along the entire coastline from the NSW border north to the Spit.
Substantial sections of the Oceanway are already heavily used by walking, running, and cycling residents and tourists, serving as both a major recreational asset and an active transport corridor. However, several "missing links" remain, particularly where beach-front private properties, sensitive dune systems, or narrow coastal reserves interrupt the continuous path. City of Gold Coast is conducting community consultations and engineering studies to resolve these remaining gaps.
Completing the Oceanway involves balancing public recreation and active transport against environmental protection and coastal engineering realities. Beachfront property owners in certain segments have raised privacy and access concerns, while coastal conservation advocates emphasize that pathway construction must not damage sensitive coastal dune ecosystems or exacerbate beach erosion during major storm events. Cost management for elevated boardwalks and sea-wall integration also forms part of municipal debates.
Community feedback results on proposed path alignments, environmental impact assessments for sensitive dunal sections, and council capital works program inclusions for path construction stages over coming budget cycles.