Shock figures: How the construction industry on the Gold Coast is beating COVID gloom
The Gold Coast has had a remarkable increase in development applications as the city weathered its way through COVID-19 restrictions.
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THE Gold Coast has had a stunning increase in development applications as the city weathers its way through the economic doom and gloom around COVID-19.
Council’s planning committee today considered data for July through to September which show 1184 development applications were received.
This is an 11.7 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2019.
More than 3076 building applications were received, an increase of 8.3 per cent.
Council approved 1074 applications and only refused 18. At least 98.8 per cent of those applications were by delegated authority, not requiring councillors to consider the projects.
More than 1101 plumbing applications were received, up by 22.5 per cent. Council was making decisions on projects within 28 days.
Planning committee chair Cameron Caldwell told the meeting: “Overall it’s a pretty good news story during the potential challenges of COVID we are still seeing strong development application numbers coming in and then also actual job generating work on the ground.”
Senior city officers said the development application report showed it was “still quite busy in the development assessment world”.
“It’s a good sign that activity is out there, promising signs,” an officer said.
Major recent approvals include the twin towers at Burleigh and sky garage slender tower development at Main Beach. Palm Beach continues to attract applications for units.
Some developers have admitted they were trying to get approvals through before tougher changes were made to the City Plan.
Outside the meeting, Cr Caldwell told the Bulletin: “Council is monitoring development applications and construction activity closely as we emerge from the COVID crisis.
“The construction sector provides thousands of jobs for Gold Coasters and it is important to see continued activity in the sector.”
Cr Caldwell said the key indictors of development, building and plumbing applications had all shown increases compared to the same time last year.
“There is cautious optimism that we can come through the peak of COVID in good shape to tackle any looming issues once federal government stimulus is removed,” he said.
“We have a proven development sector that is well positioned to capitalise on interstate and overseas interest in our city.”
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