Where Gold Coast population will grow remains secret as council hides studies

PLANS on how the Gold Coast can accommodate one million residents as our population continues to explode are being debated at City Hall — but council continue to hide the studies.

PLANS on how the Gold Coast can accommodate a population of one million people are being debated in secret at City Hall.

A major council investigation into the city’s housing needs remains unavailable for public view.

Councillors met in closed session at the City Planning Committee meeting in December last year to discuss a housing needs planning investigation. Later, the entire report was redacted and made confidential, with no recommendations released.

An aerial shot of Pimpama showing the Coast's fast growing northern growth. Supplied by skyepicsaerialphotography.

A council source told the Bulletin: “It’s the only study I’m aware of that fully reflects on the housing needs as the population grows across the city, the different densities and what sort of housing needs to be promoted.

“It looks at whether we need more single parent households and retirees. It’s basically been shelved.”

The council was required by the State Government to undertake the research and the recommendations looked at smaller size houses.

“It’s a significant body of work. It’s really helpful. It should be openly considered,” the council source said.

But a council spokesperson said all pages were redacted as the council resolved the report remain confidential.

The Government’s Shaping SEQ strategy released last year, which focuses on the next 25 years, identified Coomera, Pimpama and Upper Coomera as accommodating the region’s expansion.

“No major areas with potential for future urban growth have been identified outside the urban footprint,” the report said.

The key areas for renewal would be along the light rail corridor, first from Broadbeach to Helensvale and later south to Burleigh and Coolangatta as the track is extended.

The light rail line will play a key role in population growth.

The Government’s work on planning for the southeast rules out exploring the canelands north of the Gold Coast, wanting the Norwell and Alberton areas preserved for “long-term food security and export opportunities”.

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Asked if the canelands should remain an option, Acting Mayor Donna Gates replied:“ It’s a complex issue. The SEQ Plan supports tourism and sporting infrastructure, but not residential development.

“The land is constrained and reports provided so far to council have not identified a need for that land for residential development. We will be guided by the State.”

Cr Gates said the Coast was following the lead of all smart cities by “building up, not out” along major transport spines.

The Pacific Highway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

“In our case, we have endorsed our transport strategy and then overlayed the city plan on that so the major residential development follows our light rail corridor. It makes sense and will protect the environment and green space for decades to come,” she said.

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Councillors in late December considered another report — a neighbourhood centres investigation — that drilled down on land development opportunities in existing suburbs.

But the report, with attachments along with discussion by officers, was later largely removed from public view.

“The reason it was redacted was because council did not want to cause (land) speculation. All the investigations were within the current urban footprint,’’ a council source said.

The report said nine submissions to the draft city plan raised several issues on how to improve planning for the city, and an investigation was launched to look at the function and role of 116 neighbourhood centres.

The investigation considered retail, office and employment land use along with community and civic services.

Aerials of the proposed Pacific View Estate at Worongary, one of the city’s last greenfield sites. Pic Tim Marsden

Officers looked at low density locations, to find opportunities to develop on land that had been ruled out previously due to steep grades and other factors.

A council spokesperson said the redactions to the report were made in accordance with the Local Government Act and any recommendations introduced to the planning scheme would undergo public consultation.

Several hinterland councillors have had discussions with residents about “investigation areas” as part of the city plan consultation.

Aerial view of residential housing. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Councillor Peter Young, who has “suitable” land in his division at Gaven North, raised the matter with residents through his councillor letter.

The response has been mixed, with residents split 50-50 on developing some of the city’s green ridges.

In the newsletter, Cr Young said preliminary checks led to a report in 2016 that showed high development costs and market demand were key issues likely to deter more intense residential development.

The council evaluated Gaven again in 2017-18 and further planning would occur in the next 12 months, depending on funding.

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Councillor Peter Young has spoken to residents about planning options. Picture Mike Batterham

“I have recently been approached by residents of the area who have an interest in both to develop and not develop,” Cr Young wrote.

“Even if it was determined that the area was suitable for further development, this is not an automatic right or outcome.

“The process to actually change the city plan and infrastructure plans to accommodate further development takes a period of years, not months, and this process is transparent and open to the community.”