Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate welcomes new population task force

The Gold Coast’s mayor says the Glitter Strip is facing a housing crisis which will mean more high-rise development.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has welcomed the state’s new population task force, saying the Glitter Strip is facing a housing crisis which will mean more high-rise development.

Cr Tate said he would tell the task force that less than 20 per cent of the 5700 homes for sale on the Coast were in the ‘affordable’ $500,000-$600,0000 range and rental vacancy rates were at historical lows.

He said 40,000 people were on the public housing list, ‘presenting a challenge for the state over where to build this much-needed infrastructure’.

Mayor Tom Tate says the Gold Coast is facing a housing crisis. Picture: Steve Holland

“The development industry needs to be supported by all levels of government as it is private enterprise that will deliver the projects to combat this looming crisis,” he said.

Mayor Tate said the challenge was how to accommodate more residents while protecting green and open space.

“It’s a balance and it’s difficult, especially given our city has very few greenfield sites left for residential development,’’ he said.

“The State’s SEQ Regional Plan rightly identifies large areas that must be preserved for green and open space.

“We support that – but it means we need to build upwards, not outwards, to meet the population targets set by the State.

“Upwards means low, medium and higher density developments in areas approved by our City Plan.

“That approach relieves some of the pressure on our green space and importantly, accommodates the population where the major public transport services are.

“Our City Plan is due to go out for further public consultation shortly and I look forward to the State supporting our proposed changes as we work hard to meet the targets.’’