Palm Beach set to boom: Southern Gold Coast population projections

Despite the wave of protests from the Gold Coast’s deep south, Palm Beach is going to grow. Do we really know by how much? SUBSCRIBE TO SEE THE PROJECTIONS

DESPITE the wave of protest about light rail and high-rise development from the Gold Coast’s deep south, Palm Beach is going to grow.

But by how much is the question.
Recent council reporting on the budget focused on the funding for the city’s fast-growing north and how the working suburbs of Pimpama and Coomera were big winners.

Artist impressions of the proposed redevelopment of the Palm Beach Aquatic Centre.

But a new report discussed behind closed doors by councillors gives us the first real glimpse of what will happen in the southern Gold Coast.

Budget papers had only noted $2.2 million for an additional 25m outdoor pool and youth-community centre as part of the $53 million Palm Beach Aquatic Centre redevelopment.

The new previously confidential report says Palm Beach was home to 14,372 residents in 2016. By 2041 that number will grow to 21,067, and by 2066 reach 26,272.

The southern Gold Coast across that same stretch of time will increase from 118,531 residents to 189,539.

“The existing facilities, the majority built between 1977-1981, do not meet many current standards, have structural defects and are now operating beyond their operational and serviceable lives,” the council report says.

Photograph of existing Palm Beach Aquatic Centre on the Gold Coast.

The catchment area for the pool will increase by about 35,000 across the next 25 years, and visitor numbers are now more than 316,000 a year.

This is for an ageing 50m pool. The council is responding by investing in the south.

Council insiders suggest this debate is not limited to population growth and swimming pools.

“It’s not just community centres but non-sexy stuff like wastewater management centres,” an insider says.

Look at council’s investment in a $15 million upgrade of the Miami Aquatic Centre as part of a $20 million makeover of Pizzey Park at Miami, and the $10 million spent to expand and improve the 23ha Coplick Family Sports Park at Tallebudgera.

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The new Palm Beach Aquatic Centre.

Another big-ticket item in the recent budget was $8.2 million in funding for design completion and building of the Robina City Parklands.

Back at Palm Beach, those population estimates could be conservative.

Development industry sources say investors are circling sites, aware they will have an 18-month window to build high-density high-rises before City Plan amendments kick in.

Of course the other key factor impacting on population is light rail, and the budget ticked off on council approving the first payment of $7 million from an $82 million cash contribution for for Stage 3B from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads.

Palm Beach development is progressing at a rapid rate. Picture Glenn Hampson.

Councillors also voted in favour of contributing $1.75 million in 2020-21 to identify the route options for the extension of the trams from Burleigh to Coolangatta.

A southern Coast resident told your columnist in an email: “Council voted unanimously to support the budget measure for extra funding for light rail from Burleigh to the border. Mayor Tom Tate even double-checked that the voting was unanimous. I just about gagged, watching it from outside.”

Is this a sign, at least from within the council chamber, that the war with the trams is over and light rail will continue down the coastline to the border?