NIFSAN ACCELERATES PUSH FOR SUBURB RENAME

The Japanese-owned Nifsan is requesting that it’s River Park, Maryland and part of Emerald Lakes developments become part of its proposed Carrara Waters. The suburb re-name from Carrara includes riverside areas adjoining the Broadbeach to Nerang Rd including Carrara Stadium. The Vistas and Emerald Lakes Golf Course are not included in the proposal.

Nifsan CEO Sean Wardrop has requested the backing of Member for Gaven Dr Alex Douglas to seek further consultation on the matter after a ‘mixed reaction’ from residents. Wardrop could not be contacted for comment today, but Douglas says he will remain impartial.

"I am keen to hear what the residents feel about this move. Part of the proposed area is in my electorate and Nifsan has asked me to write a letter of support to have the name changed," says Douglas.

“There’s quite a history in the area of different developments requesting name changes. When Kerry Packer developed the Carrara Gardens Golf Course, there was also a call for Boonaroo Park and Highland Park to be renamed.

“However, I want to gauge the feeling of residents before I decide if I will support this move. So far I have had a mixed reaction from residents and would encourage people to contact my office to voice their opinion on this name change. The public have not been previously consulted on this move so I am most keen to hear if they support it."

Nifsan claim the area is the only waterway on the Gold Coast which does not have a distinguishing name. The developer built the lake as the centrepiece of Emerald Lakes which was constructed on a 210-hectare former rural flood plain.

Douglas is concerned over the ‘division of community’ by Nifsan’s proposal, but will let residents decide. Postcodes, property values and insurance premiums would all be affected as a result of the proposal.

“It should not be dismissed out of hand, but people already know the area as Emerald Lakes and sometimes these proposals are looked at down the track and seen as not such a great idea,” he says.

Division Councillor Bob La Castra says he will write a letter to Nifsan stating he's intent to put the proposal to his electorate.

"My view is that it has to be supported overwhelmingly by the electorate - it is not the decision of developers or politicians," he says.

Nifsan is owned by Japanese billionaire Toshiaki Ogasawara. Last year the company entered into a JV with the Adelaide-based Urban Construct to complete its $220 million Harbour development. The master-planned community will eventually become home to more than 1800 dwellings.

In a statement released by its PR company, Nifsan says, ‘change to suburb names or postcodes to better reflect the particular characteristics of an area would be welcomed’.