Golden Age: Opinion: Glenn Tozer on new Pacific View Estate’s impact for the Gold Coast

WHILE it might sound like a ‘pie in the sky’ idea to have a single consortia-owned 342 hectare parcel — it may not be so crazy after all, writes Glenn Tozer.

The planned Pacific View Estate on the Gold Coast.

A SINGLE consortia-owned 342 hectare parcel of land, adjacent to the M1, located in the central Gold Coast and already flagged in state planning documents as appropriate for future urban development might seem a “pie in the sky” idea.

Generally, such an area would be owned by multiple parties, competing among themselves to keep their own developments uniquely profitable, competing for sales and deflecting community demands for public infrastructure and open space to competitors or the council.

Google Map shot of the Pacific View Estate on the Gold Coast.

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Not so with Pacific View Estate. Just east of the emerging community of Gilston and north of semi-rural Worongary, the masterplanned community is expected to deliver a $3.23 billion economic boost to the Gold Coast, with 3500 dwellings constructed over the coming 15 years. Called in by the State Government in 2015 and given preliminary approval for its magnitude, it won’t be long before the ground is broken on the first homes and businesses.

The Gold Coast City Transport Strategy 2031 has anticipated in advance the needs of this new community of 10,000 residents, with a Merrimac train station positioned just over the M1 and the first homes being within 1km of the planned station as the bird flies.

Councillor Glenn Tozer.

The State Government followed the city’s lead on this strategy, announcing in 2017 that a start to construction of the $40m station, along with three others, would be as early as 2023.

Although contingent on Cross River Rail, the forward planning on transport takes advantage of an opportunity to mitigate traffic congestion in advance, rarely an option in our speedily growing city where we often must retrofit solutions.

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The planned Pacific View Estate on the Gold Coast. Artists impressions.

Already planning is underway to ensure bicycle and pedestrian connection between homes and these public transport options is a priority.

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With tradespeople still commuting to the growing communities of Logan and Ipswich, and to our exploding northern Gold Coast corridor, Pacific View Estate is the centrepiece of economic growth for the central and southern Gold Coast for the coming decade.

Driving that construction economy closer to home, reducing pressure on the M1 and keeping local families together are all part of the advocacy for this development.

Pacific View Estate is a key project for the Gold Coast and definitely forms part of this coming Golden Age. Bring it on!