Tom Tate: Information about the Gold Coast City Plan

AS residents continue to wage war with developments going through the motions in their suburbs, it’s time to remember the rules, writes Tom Tate. Here’s the down low on our City Plan.

EVERYONE wants certainty in their lives whether they are a developer, a resident, schoolteacher or retiree.

Before the City Plan came into place in February 2016, we undertook more than two years consultation. Thousands responded and helped shape the final plan. All councillors signed off on the 2016 City Plan.

Our Gold Coast city.

It is important people understand the facts: the State Government legally requires every council in Queensland to have a performance-based planning scheme; the State’s own SEQ Regional Plan strongly encourages councils in the SEQ corner to focus on approving development along transport corridors; and our own City Plan had to be signed off by the State.

The obvious area of contention with some residents is building heights. Residents rightly ask: if it says seven storeys, why doesn’t council enforce that?

The answer is simple: a performance-based scheme such as ours, or Redland, or Brisbane or Moreton, provides flexibility. That is what State legislation allows.

This Nyrang Avenue, Palm Beach development came under fire recently.

Our City Plan allows in some cases, for a development applicant to propose that their building is 50 per cent taller than the height nominated. This does not mean they automatically get approval.

In seeking that taller development, the applicant must meet a number of criteria.

Our City Plan sets a rule (signed by the State) that a 50 per cent increase is the absolute maximum.

In other words, if eight storeys are identified in the plan, the maximum height an applicant can propose is 12 (a 50 per cent increase). That gives certainty to both developers and residents.

GC Mayor Tom Tate. Pics Adam Head

With an application in the system, City officers then assess the proposal on a range of grounds such as: what setbacks it has; how the applicant is dealing with car park spaces; what open space the design is proposing; and how it fits into the area.

In many cases, the community is the overall winner. For example, an applicant may propose to increase their building by two storeys in height but reduce its actual footprint on the ground.

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS FOR $3 A WEEK

This may result in a community park being created at ground level for all to enjoy.

It may also mean the building, having a smaller footprint, is further away from the street with better landscaping outcomes. So by approving two extra storeys actually creates a win for the community.

That’s why every application is treated on merit.

Councillors can ask for applications to progress to planning committee and full council so all councillors can have a say.

In order for City Plan to keep up with community expectations regular amendments are made to the City Plan.

Since 2016, we have made seven amendments and all major amendments have required State approval.

I hope residents understand that having flexibility in a scheme can actually drive greater outcomes for the community.