Gold Coast Election: Greens promise ‘citizen juries’ to decide city height limits, green space provisions

A Gold Coast election candidate has backed a surprising plan which would see “citizen juries” take back control of height limits and neighbourhood plans.

A GOLD Coast election candidate has backed a surprising plan which would see “citizen juries” take back control of height limits and neighbourhood plans.

Burleigh Greens candidate Rachel Mebberson welcomed the party’s plan, which calls for Gold Coast residents to draft neighbourhood plans.

It would also make height limits and green space provisions non-negotiable and binding and roll back a Labor provision which allowed developers to choose their own assessors.

Ms Mebberson said she believed the plan would “empower” Gold Coast communities.

Rachel Mebberson (Burleigh). Picture: Tertius Pickard

“People feel frustrated and powerless in the face of development and town planning decisions that are made without any consultation with the community,” she said.

“Locals in Palm Beach particularly feel their concerns about overdevelopment are constantly ignored and dismissed because major parties care more for the rights of big developers than they do for regular people.

“Our plan will give power back to the people by giving our community a say in planning decisions and ensuring that development on the Gold Coast is sustainable.

“We will ensure that height limits and green space provisions are actually adhered to and make developers pay their fair share to fund crucial public infrastructure.”

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