A proposed swimming lagoon at Rudd Park in Burleigh Heads has been abandoned following strong opposition from local residents.

The proposal was part of a broader plan to revitalise the Burleigh Heads foreshore, but community feedback showed that the lagoon itself did not have enough support to continue.

A survey conducted by the Gold Coast City Council received responses from about 1,400 people. Of those respondents, 55 per cent said they opposed the proposed lagoon, while only 38 per cent supported it.

The results have prompted council to remove the swimming lagoon from the proposed plans for Rudd Park. The decision reflects the outcome of the community consultation process and the concerns raised by residents about how the foreshore should develop.

The survey also showed that the opposition was particularly relevant to people connected directly with the Burleigh Heads area. About 65 per cent of respondents said they lived or worked in Burleigh.

While the lagoon proposal was rejected, the broader foreshore revitalisation plan received considerably stronger support. About 67 per cent of survey participants supported the wider plan to improve the area.

This distinction means the future of the Burleigh Heads foreshore is not being abandoned. Instead, council plans to concentrate on other improvements while removing the swimming lagoon from consideration.

Residents expressed concerns about protecting the natural character of the area. Maintaining green space, preserving the relaxed atmosphere and ensuring sufficient parking were among the issues raised during consultation.

The consultation also considered several other proposed improvements around the foreshore. Projects involving Justin's Park, Mowbray Park, John Laws Park and Burleigh Pavilion Plaza received support from residents.

Council is now expected to focus on improvements that have stronger community backing. These include measures intended to improve accessibility and safety while retaining green areas and the existing character of the foreshore.

One proposed change involves relocating the Goodwin Terrace turnaround and creating a new drop-off area. The changes are intended to improve access for different users of the area.

The decision over the lagoon demonstrates the influence of community consultation on major local planning projects. Rather than continuing with a proposal that did not receive majority support, council has decided to change direction.

For Burleigh Heads residents, the outcome means the proposed swimming lagoon will not become part of the Rudd Park redevelopment.

The result also highlights the importance of balancing new recreational facilities with the existing character of established coastal communities. Burleigh Heads is known for its beaches, parks and open spaces, and residents have expressed a desire to protect those characteristics while still improving public facilities.

The broader revitalisation project can now move forward without the lagoon component. Council can concentrate on projects that received stronger support during consultation.

Improving accessibility is expected to remain an important part of the planning process. Changes to drop-off arrangements and other public areas could make the foreshore easier to access for residents and visitors.

Safety is another priority, with council looking at ways to improve how people move through the foreshore precinct.

The consultation results provide council with a clearer indication of what residents want from the area's future. While there is support for improvements, the results suggest that many residents prefer upgrades that preserve the existing environment rather than introducing a major new swimming facility.

The outcome is significant because the lagoon had been proposed as one of the more prominent additions to the Rudd Park area. Its removal changes the direction of the project while leaving other elements of the revitalisation plan available for further development.

Council's next steps will focus on refining the broader foreshore plan and incorporating community feedback into the design.

For the Gold Coast, the Burleigh Heads decision provides another example of how public consultation can influence major local projects. The council now has an opportunity to develop improvements that respond more closely to community preferences.

The proposed lagoon will therefore not proceed, but the wider Burleigh Heads foreshore revitalisation remains active, with accessibility, safety, green space and other community-supported improvements continuing to shape the project's future.