Golden age: Gold Coast’s northern suburbs needs greater share of developer contributions according to Deputy Mayor

THE Gold Coast City Council rakes in more than $200 million in cash or infrastructure from developer fees. But now some of the Gold Coast’s most powerful figures say the funds should be kept for their area.

THE Gold Coast’s northern suburbs should get a greater share of the fees raked in from developments to help fast-track much-needed road upgrades.

That’s the call from the city’s Deputy Mayor and one of the north’s leading business figures, who say the area needs greater financial support to help it prosper in the face of increasing development and a rapidly increasing population.

Yalwalpah Road at Pimpama during morning peak hour just off the M1.

The Gold Coast City Council receives $86.5 million in cash contributions from developers annually with a further $140 million in non-cash contributions, including roads, footpaths, parks, sewerage and waterworks.

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But Pimpama councillor and Deputy Mayor Donna Gates said her suburbs deserved a great slice of the pie, citing the need for major arterial roads in and out of the region’s housing estates to be upgraded to relieve congestion.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

She said the billions of development in the north meant those suburbs should receive the lions share of any developer contributions raised across the city.

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“My personal belief as the area councillor is that the funds should be constrained for use where they are raise from development, and this is something I have argued many times on the floor of the council chambers,” she said.

Frustrated motorists in suburban Gold Coast streets about to head to Exit 49 on the M1 at Pimpama. Photo: John Wolski

“We need to get more things moving up here right now because the congestion over the past six months has been huge and the growth is just astronomical.

“Unless there is a specific constraint, most goes into general revenue.”

Budget documents reveal the council will this year spend $15.4 million to ‘provide essential transport infrastructure in partnership with developers.

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Coomera Town Centre

Developer contributions to councils are capped as a result of state legislation, with those from residential projects topping out at $28,500.

Waste water and water infrastructure are the largest area in which the council receives developer contributions, sitting at around 50 per cent.

According to a city council spokesman, developers had contributed tens of millions of dollars through “their involvement in northern Gold Coast projects.

“We are currently finalising project contributions for key road works to get underway in the north throughout 2018-19.’’

This coming year, projects such as the widening of Foxwell Road will be funded by developer contributions from Westfield as a result of the Coomera Town Centre project.

Gary Mays is concerned about political issues involving the broadwater.

Gold Coast North Chamber of Commerce secretary Gary Mays said the feeder Roads onto the M1 required more funding.

“The whole northern Gold Coast revolves around the M1 and it clogs up at every exit,” he said.

“Much of this should have been done 15 years ago but now we need to get together and work on fixing these roads.”