The City in 2015 was told to give 50 per cent uplift on tower applications

The State Government is being accused of directing the council to build much higher towers across the coastal strip then the City Plan allows for - providing conditions were met. See the directive

The State Government is being accused of directing the Gold Coast City Council to build towers 50 per cent higher than allowed under the City Plan on the coastal strip.

But that is being denied by a senior source within State Government as it also faces criticism of not providing enough lower-level social housing in the city.

Councillor Hermann Vorster has obtained the 2015 “ministerial directive” - which he says allows the uplifts under certain conditions - to Mayor Tom Tate on the City Plan.

Since then, the council planning committee has regularly approved 50 per uplifts on developments.

The directive - seen by the Bulletin - deletes a planning condition which refers to building height increases of “between 25 per cent and up to 50 per cent” .

It then adds a new condition which notes “increases in building height, beyond the 50 per cent were not expected” - essentially allowing for higher builds if certain conditions were met.

A source within the existing Government maintains council wanted the 50 per cent height increases. But Cr Vorster says it was a State directive that set in stone a 50 per cent height bonus.

Councillor Hermann Vorster — says the State directed higher heights for buildings.

He said residents on the southern Coast where towers were being approved with an automatic 50 per cent height uplift felt the Government was not listening.

“This letter reveals they stopped listening years ago — by overriding Council to introduce a broader 50 per cent height bonus.

“The Government needs to work with councils to unlock more residential lots and secure housing foundations, not block the delivery of thousands of new homes in a rapidly growing city like the Gold Coast.”

As it stands, the council and the state government are still debating amendments on building heights and setbacks to the latest City Plan.

“Just recently, the State ignored community feedback when they trashed (the City Plan) Amendment Package 2 & 3,” Mr Vorster said.

A Government source maintains the earlier “50 per cent height bonus was proposed by council”.

The condition was drafted only to add intent to council’s plans, the source added.

The planning war between council and the State has again erupted with the latest draft of the separate South East Queensland Regional Plan being “rushed” through before year’s end.

City planners in a response to the Government say the Gold Coast has 5076 social housing dwellings, whilst requiring another 6000 to cater for demand and an estimated 14,000 by 2046.

Palm Beach residents and locals angry at the building in the suburb. They say their property values are being affected. Picture Glenn Hampson.

Cr Brooke Patterson told a planning committee the biggest issue concerning the community was “what happens with population and housing in the next 20 years”.

“It’s a real slap in the face to the council and residents that the State Government has done it in this way,” she told the committee.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said his government had proudly delivered additional social and affordable housing, while working with the private sector to get more supply on the market.

“We’re committed to open consultation with communities about their future, and we’ve been working closely with Gold Coast City Council and residents as part of the Shaping SEQ 2023 Update,” he said.

“The edit the councillor is referring to from back in 2015, was simply to ensure council was using the correct language in their planning scheme.”

Housing Minister and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said the Government had begun the “big build” to help the housing crisis after a decade of neglect from the LNP.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon — says the LNP ignored social housing. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“Since 2015, we have delivered 395 social housing homes on the Gold Coast and planning is well under way for a new supported accommodation project in Southport – West Tower,” she said.

“The new housing project will include up to 150 homes for people in need, with access to on-site services for people who have been long term rough sleepers.”

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