Land study puts north east Gold Coast under the microscope

Remaining rural land between Greater Brisbane and Gold Coast city will go under the microscope as part of the ongoing review of the South East Queensland Regional Plan.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas and Child Safety Minister and the member for Albert, Margaret Keech, today released the North East Gold Coast Strategic Land Use issues and options paper.

“This is about ensuring we protect green space between Brisbane and the Gold Coast,” Mr Lucas said.

“The issues and options paper looks at land use in the 17,250 hectare north east Gold Coast area between Coomera and the Logan River, known as the Rocky Point cane lands.

“The study will feed into the current review of the South East Queensland Regional Plan, and aims to recommend a land use strategy together with an appropriate supporting infrastructure strategy.

“The fundamental issue here is clear – we must plan properly to protect green space.”

Mr Lucas said an important part of the study would be to manage competing rural and resource uses, including sugarcane production and extraction of sand resources, while protecting vital greens pace.

“Other land use pressures include the expansion of the marine industry and general growth of industrial areas adjacent to the M1, which also need to be managed through the development of a long-term strategy.

“The north east Gold Coast area is the last remaining rural land between Brisbane and Gold Coast cities, and it’s absolutely crucial we get the planning right for the future.”

The study area is home to more than 17,000 people and includes the areas of Eagleby, Jacobs Well, Ormeau and Steiglitz.

Most of the rural land in the study area is used for the production of sugarcane, which supplies the local Rocky Point mill.

Member for Albert, Margaret Keech, said the issues and options paper was just the first stage of a long-term community consultation process.

“The goal of this study is to recommend a clear and deliverable strategy for the area to safeguard the future of the area’s industry, as well as to guide development and infrastructure needs,” Ms Keech said.

“We know that rural landowners who are primarily cane farmers living in this study area have different expectations, and are divided on the question of future land use.

“I would encourage the rural sectors of the community to look at this paper and give us their feedback on the issues it raises.”

The report will be available for comment until September 11. It can be downloaded from www.dip.qld.gov.au.