Frequently Asked Questions

Tamborine Mountain Gallery Walk Precinct (the Precinct) is a shopping and hospitality precinct that services Tamborine Mountain locals and visitors with more than 70 bespoke shops in one block. It is an important regional destination for visitors and tourists alike. It is on the State controlled Long Road, Tamborine Mountain.

There have been several projects over the past 20 years that have identified issues and opportunities to improve the Precinct. Community and stakeholders have been consulted previously and a number of improvements have been made over time. ; There are still a number of challenges to be addressed. In 2000, the Beaudesert Shire Council's Gallery Walk Tamborine Mountain Revitalisation project identified existing strengths and l opportunities to improve the Precinct. Enhancements and improvements were implemented including the construction of new public toilets. In 2010, following community engagement with local residents and key stakeholders, the Scenic Rim Regional Council developed the Gallery Walk Renewal Plan. Public feedback on the plan was mixed but with one clear message - more parking was needed. In 2017, the Rhoda Rushbrook Park was opened. In the same year the Tamborine Mountain Gateway project identified a number of elements to upgrade the Precinct. Without external funding these projects haven’t been able to progress.

The purpose of this project is to develop a concept design and business case that Council can use to seek additional funding in order to bring the upgrade of the precinct to fruition. In 2020, Council successfully applied to the Queensland Government's Building Our Regions program and was allocated $150,100 to develop a Pedestrian Boulevard Business Case for the Tamborine Mountain Gallery Walk Precinct. In addition to this grant, Council is contributing $75,100 towards this project. This project will deliver the Pedestrian Boulevard Business Case including a concept design based on up-to-date community feedback. This is a key step because Council will use the business case to seek grant funding from all tiers of government to progress to detailed design and construction of identified improvements. The Department of Transport and Main Roads is responsible for Long Road and Council continues to advocate for additional improvements to support the Gallery Walk Precinct.

Previous studies have found that parking is the key concern for the Precinct. This is because:

• existing parking spaces are not being used because of how close they are to the drains
• there is no physical boundary such as wheel stop or kerb between parking space and footpath (meaning that drivers can inadvertently park on the footpath) 
• parking spaces do not meet current standards in some places, and 
• there is not enough accessible parking. 

There are further issues with bus and pedestrian accessibility and access to properties and businesses. This leads to congestion in the Precinct, frustration for shoppers and business owners, hazards to pedestrians as well as drivers, and a less pleasant experience for all concerned. 

Consultation with community in 2021 provided Council with an understanding of current challenges and needs to improve the Gallery Walk Precinct. These have been incorporated into the current concept designs and will assist the development of the Pedestrian Boulevard Business Case. 

Summarising feedback and discussion from the survey, Listening Post and stakeholder workshops, Council learned that the community would ideally like the precinct to: 

• be more accessible, functional and comfortable with improved lighting, shade and seating 
• be safer for pedestrians and more convenient for drivers with improved traffic management, alternative parking options and better footpaths  
• provide services and host activities and events for both locals and visitors 
• be more sustainable, better connected with nature, retain trees and increase greenery 
• offer a welcoming country atmosphere with arts and culture, local produce and products 
• remain a beautiful place that we can all enjoy and be proud of. 

Both of the concept designs respond to this community input, with variations in landscaping, parking configurations and footpath design. 

Council has engaged industry experts to support Council officers to prepare the concept designs and Pedestrian Boulevard Business Case. You may see and hear from representatives from Complete Urban and Engagement Plus alongside Council Officers.

Council will use the concept designs and Pedestrian Boulevard Business Case to advocate for grant funding from all tiers of government for the detailed design and construction phase.

The Cook Road Gallery Walk bypass is a proposed connection road between MacDonnell Road and Eagle Heights Road, via Cook Road, on Tamborine Mountain. The proposed bypass is a Department of Transport and Main Roads project, separate from Tamborine Mountain Gallery Walk Pedestrian Boulevard Business Case project.

As a Council Strategic Land Purchase initiative, Council recently purchased a 6.17-hectare property located in the heart of Gallery Walk. The property features ample, gently sloping land with direct vehicle and pedestrian access to Long Road. The results of this community consultation will assist Council in designing a carpark on the property that will alleviate the current carparking issues and provide convenient carparking for local residents and visitors well into the future.