Gold Coast population boom: the survey which shows which suburbs wants more people

Residents in this one Gold Coast suburb have given the green light to council exploring high-density housing as the city’s population explodes.

NORTHERN Gold Coast residents have given the green light to the Gold Coast City Council exploring high-density housing in their suburb.

About 70 per cent of residents in an Oxenford “investigation area” responded to council consultation examining zoning changes that could open the door to higher residential buildings in the estate.

Of the 205 residents who responded, 142 supported increased housing of two-to-three storeys and potential subdivisions during the next five to 15 years.

RESIDENTS DON’T WANT TO BE NEXT PIMPAMA OR COOMERA

Oxenford is happy to explore higher density housing. Picture Mike Batterham

The investigation area is zoned one dwelling per 4000sq m. The site covers 205 individual lots west of the M1 bounded by Oxenford Tamborine Road, the Old Pacific Highway and Michigan Drive.

After councillors emerged from a closed session at a planning committee meeting yesterday, Helensvale-based councillor William Owen-Jones said Oxenford residents would be updated about preparation of a “local planning exercise”.

“What this will mean is that further works will commence towards accommodating around 1400 dwellings in the future,” he said.

Cr Owen-Jones said it was possible the changes would be introduced into the City Plan by 2023.

Council planners are understood to be pleased with the surveying because it shows “the investigation areas are not a given and reflect community views”.

The results jar with the level of feeling in other areas of the city, particularly Mudgeeraba where 76 per cent of residents in a rural residential precinct west of the Pacific Motorway near the Mudgeeraba Town Centre are opposed to subdivisions.

SUBSCRIPTION OFFER: GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS + JABRA WIRELESS HEADPHONES

Current councilor William Owen-Jones at the Division 7 election debate at the Southport Yacht Club on Monday night. Picture: Jerad Williams

Cr William Owen-Jones said it was possible the changes would be introduced into the City Plan by 2023.

The Bulletin also reported yesterday that the majority of Maudsland residents who responded to a survey by Theodore MP Mark Boothman did not want their suburb becoming another Coomera or Pimpama.

OTHER NEWS:

Why there’s a fully stocked bar at this new Coast school

Propeller part found, believed to be from missing Coast plane

Police car rammed in Coast street

Along with Guanaba, Wongawallan and Clagiraba property owners, they only support a “slight relaxation” in rural zonings.

WHERE THE BIGGEST GROWTH ON COAST WILL BE

The view of Oxenford from Warner Bros. Movie World. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Council began exploring “investigation areas” in late 2013 and 17 locations were identified to help the city meet urban growth targets.

Under the southeast Queensland regional plan, the Coast’s population is expected to increase by 351,100 people in the next 25 years.

A report to council said the city would need to deliver an extra 158,900 dwellings, of which 80 per cent would be provided within the city’s consolidation area and 20 per cent in the city’s expansion area.

POPULATION GROWTH COULD MAKE US AS CROWDED AS SYDNEY

An aerial showing the Mudgeeraba Investigation Area.

Council planners say alternatives are needed to building more high-rise on the tourist strip or smaller homes in greenfield sites in the city’s fast-growing northern suburbs of Pimpama and Coomera.

The Oxenford investigation area has 197 properties with residential dwellings, most of the residents were older than 65 and many had lived in their homes for more than 15 years.

“After the council meeting we hope to both write directly to property owners affected by this decision, and hold a further community meeting with owners to help them be informed of the next steps,” Cr Owen-Jones said.