Smart Growth for Gold Coast

More than 60 percent of the Gold Coast will be off limits to developers under the Bligh Government’s long-term plan to protect South East Queensland’s lifestyle.

Premier Anna Bligh said the draft South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 has been delivered a year early with a greater focus on protecting open spaces, halting urban sprawl and easing congestion

“The Gold Coast is a Queensland and Australian tourist mecca and people in the south-east and beyond want us to keep it the way they love,” Ms Bligh said.

“This is a plan to keep the things that make the Gold Coast such a great place to live here for future generations, like its beaches, hinterland and outdoor areas.

“It’s a plan for smart growth, to manage our expanding population and tackle pressing issues like housing affordability and climate change.

“The main change to the urban development area for the Gold Coast is a proposed new marine industry precinct at Steiglitz which was under investigation in the last plan.

“The Gold Coast will need another 137,500 dwellings by 2031, and the plan rules out development in more than 60 percent of council’s total land area so we can protect our valuable green space.

“Instead, the SEQ Regional Plan promotes additional growth in the Western Corridor including Ipswich where populations will grow twice as fast as coastal areas on average.

“This plan caters to the Gold Coast growing at an average rate of 2.1 per cent per year until 2031, compared to 4.6 per cent in Ipswich.

“This means from 2006 Ipswich will grow on average by nearly 11,700 people each and every year until 2031 and by that time its population will be three times higher than it is now.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Planning and Infrastructure Paul Lucas said carefully planned areas of higher density will protect existing character homes and suburban green spaces.

“This plan saves our backyards by increasing the average housing density in new areas and by offering a greater variety of lot sizes in those new communities,” Mr Lucas said.

“This isn’t a push towards high-rise living instead we’re mixing things up to respond to public demand for different home types.

“We realise undeveloped land on the Gold Coast is in short supply which is why we are being smarter with our planning and why infill development will play a greater role.

“Around 80,000 of the 137,500 dwellings planned for the Gold Coast will be developed on existing urban land in places such as the Southport and Robina activity centres.

“Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Coolangatta, Nerang and Bundall have also been identified as infill sites along with Mermaid Beach, Labrador, Palm Beach, Tugun and Biggera Waters.

“There also will be opportunities for new estates on undeveloped land at Coomera, Hope Island, Pimpama and Ormeau.

He said it was not just a plan for new residents but the jobs that support them.

“It means making sure infrastructure such as roads, public transport and services plus energy, water and sewerage supplies are in place before any new communities can be built,” said Mr Lucas.

“And smart growth means getting jobs closer to homes.

“People shouldn’t have to travel for hours to work – consolidation of growth will cut congestion, help the environment and make sure families have more time together.

The draft regulatory provisions released with the plan feature detailed new maps and its statutory powers take effect immediately.

Public consultation closes on April 3 and a final plan is to be released in mid-2009.

To view the draft plan visit the Department of Infrastructure and Planning, 63 George St, Brisbane or most council chambers.

For more information call 1800 070 609 (freecall) or visit www.dip.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Robert Hoge 0419 757 868