The Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) assigned $75,000.00 and this was committed to Stage One (1) of the construction of the Federation Walk spinal pathway.

Arnold Wolthers Architects were appointed to design the Federation Walk Management Plan, Gecko-Regen was appointed to design/manage a Vegetation Management Plan both of which were submitted for inclusion in Gold Coast City Council planning documents.

Work for the Dole has had five projects for six month blocks as well, Green Corps have completed five six-month projects.

On Sunday 19th March 2000, over 100 people attended the Official Launch of Federation Walk, by Rob Borbidge MLA, Member for Surfers Paradise with Mayor Cr Gary Baildon, ‘The Fig Tree” in the Philip Park Car Park was planted, which coincided with the first of our community planting days, students from The Southport School/ Gold Coast Schools prepared the site for planting.

The first stage of Federation Walk was officially opened on 21st January 2001, by the Hon Rod Welford MP, Minister for Environment and Heritage and Minister for Natural Resources, with over 5000 people attending. Over 100 children planted 100 trees.

The Soroptimist International Club Gold Coast hosted a Fashion Parade which raised over $4,500, also bench seat at the Federation Walk pathway entrance was donated by the Club.

The Federation Walk Project was Highly Commended in the Community Organisation Category in the Heart Foundation Kellogg Local Government Awards, winner of ‘Keep Australia Beautiful’ Gold Coast, EPA Cleanest Beach on the Gold Coast for 2001, as well as KABQ Gold Coast Beach Spirit Awards.

The Mayor Cr Gary Baildon unveiled a plaque at the Opening of the Federation Walk Pathway on 6th June 2002. The pathway from Philip Park carpark to the Gold Coast Seaway traversing a unique area popular with locals and tourists alike, it is the only natural beachfront Public Open Space in this region.

Our request to change the name of the northern portion of Philip Park to FEDERATION WALK COASTAL RESERVE was carried at the GCCC Meeting 24th January 2003.

Our request for protection was granted in July 2003, by the Minister for Natural Resources and Mines the Hon Stephen Robertson MP, who ratified the gazettal of this Reserve for Park, Environment, Beach Protection and Coastal Management purposes and $25,000 was allocated for revegetation work.

Federation Walk has been subjected to drought and devastating bushfires, destroying large areas of our plantings. Funded by two Envirofund grants of $25,000, a water tank was installed to contain tertiary treated effluent water, a Community Benefit Gambling Fund grant and an Australian Water Grant of $44,000, a recycled effluent water irrigation system was installed.

National Resource Management – SEQ contributed National Heritage Trust grant of $21,000 for further revegetation work.

2006: Allocation yearly of $100,000 to the Federation Walk Coastal Reserve from the State Government, matched and managed by the GCCC with additional funding with $30.00 from Divisional funds. The State Government opted out of the funding at a later stage.

Thousands of Volunteers from every Post Code of the Gold Coast, with Students of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education sectors, Business representatives, Scouts, Service Clubs and Community groups contributing by planting many thousands of plants for the restoration of Federation Walk. The Queensland Government initiated The Spit Master Plan, which has endorsed the community vision of Friends of Federation Walk.

Our ‘Federation Walk Project’ was included as a Conservation Area in the Gold Coast City Plan, funded, and managed by Natural Areas Management Unit to be included in their Beaches to Bushland Volunteer Landcare Program Community planting days take place on the last Saturday of each month, commencing from 8am. Please ensure you register for each activity via our calendar for further details.

Please contact: Lyn Wright: M 0400 740 972 info@federationwalk.org

Saraya Robinson T: (07) 5581 1537
Greening Officer, Natural Areas Conservation
City of Gold Coast PO Box 5042 Gold Coast Mail Centre Qld 9729 cityofgoldcoast.com.au