Millaroo Drive Helensvale development: New houses plan beside Westfield - full details

A plan to build houses on lots as small as 72sq m has sparked a fiery debate among Gold Coast residents. What do you think? Have your say in our poll.

A PLAN to build houses on lots as small as 72sq m has sparked a fiery debate among Gold Coast residents.

Developer Villawood is looking for permission to build 243 homes on a site beside Westfield Helensvale designated in the City Plan as “mixed use” – meaning commercial as well as residential development is envisaged.

Many locals have reacted negatively to the plans, saying it was “too many people in a small space” and expressing fears nearby roads would not be able to cope with an increase in traffic.

Others said the development was necessary given the chronic lack of housing supply on the Gold Coast – and even questioned why high rises were not being proposed.

Local councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden said he had received a briefing from the developers on Monday.

“It’s up to the developers to demonstrate to the planning officers that there’s a need for residential,” he said.

“We did ask them if there is a need for residential why would they not look to multi-storey as opposed to small block townhouses.

“They said there was more demand for townhouse-type developments.”

Public consultation on the plans is now open, with council accepting submissions until December 17.

WHAT BULLETIN READERS SAID

Scott Beutel

Just like terrace houses in the states with creative use of space and decent design you’ll end up with good housing. To be honest if you’re doing terrace houses then they really need to start building roof terrace spaces for outdoor areas instead of just roofing, underutilised space imo.

Annie Et Kelly

Builders come in and build these overcrowded estates then we have to put up with them, squished in together. The station is already a hotspot of violence, so is poor Westfield.

The roads are blocked in peak hour this will just cause a huge headache for existing residents.

Tahnee Larkins

Not sure why people are mad at this or laughing. With the current rental crisis, I’m sure people would rather live in a small house than be homeless. I don’t think people understand how bad it really is at the moment! I think this is a great idea and will help lots of people. As long as the rent is reasonable.

Sean Delaney

Seems a waste of land, why not put up four 50-floor high rises.

Melissa Lawson

Hell no. Too many people in too small a space. Leads to aggression, too many cars, not enough green space.

Kez Clark Pye

Sounds like advise from China leading the way for the future. Who would want to live on top of their neighbours? I moved away from Pimpama for that very reason. Zero privacy!

Dior Wilkinson

Perfect for single people trying to get out of home or a relationship. I remember trying to find a small home without having to house share.

They needs estates like this every few suburbs for people starting out.

Not everyone needs big yard or space at the beginning.

Darren R Schneider

So I take it no one has been to London or travelled around the world. Australia hasn’t just invented this you know. It’s not a new concept. If you don’t like it don’t buy one and don’t shop there ... not short of a shopping centre these days.

Daniel Stokes

Hasn’t been done? Look at Pimpama, you can hear your neighbours on the toilet.

Victoria Purdon

Yuk yuk yuk

Will turn into a slum area – kids have nowhere to play and one can hear people even going to the toilet. Revolting.

EARLIER: RADICAL TINY LOTS HOUSING PLAN

A LEADING developer wants to build 243 houses on lots as small as 72sq m beside one of the Gold Coast’s biggest shopping centres.

Villawood Properties, via its company Millaroo Drive Pty Ltd, is seeking a variation to the City Plan and lot subdivision to create what planning experts say would be a unique community beside Westfield Helensvale.

The site, at the corner of Millaroo Drive and Philip Gray Rd, is zoned “mixed use, fringe business precinct”, allowing for business, retail, residential and “low impact” industrial uses.

However the masterplan submitted to council envisages a primarily residential development consisting of two and three-storey terraced homes.

In reports to council prepared on behalf of the developer, consultants Urbis said the proposed masterplan would allow for “compact terrace housing” that would be unique on the Gold Coast.

“Rows of Victorian and Edwardian terrace housing are a picturesque feature of Australia’s heritage-listed inner suburbs,” it said.

“The builders of the early colonial terraces recognised a need for inexpensive housing on tight sites close to town centres and adapted the attached urban housing of Britain to the Australian context.

“In a similar fashion the proposed homes are to draw upon the traditional proven elements of verandas, the compact front garden, cohesive street character with the more regional requirements of subtropical design, sustainable living and serving and utilities well done.”

In a letter in March 2021, the council asked the development’s proponents to explain why there was an “overwhelming need for residential over commercial” and assess the “impacts associated with the removal of this site from delivering employment lands”.

Urbis contend the site had remained vacant for two decades because there was a lack of demand for the commercial uses envisioned.

“The primary reason behind this land remaining vacant is the limited market demand for other uses on this site, including larger format showrooms and the like, of which the City Plan primarily intends for the site to be developed by,” it said.

Where the planned development will be located.

Consultants highlighted the fact that the development, which would also feature a public park with playground, was located within walking distance of shops and both heavy rail and trams.

“This combination of services, infrastructure and accessibility, given the proximity of high-frequency public transport and the Pacific Motorway presents the perfect opportunity for higher density living,” consultants said.

Villawood Properties is also responsible for The Surrounds development to the east of Westfield Helensvale and The Arbour in Burleigh.

Public consultation on the plans is open, with council accepting submissions until December 17.

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