Sanctuary Cove Gold Coast: Plans to develop exclusive enclave to add more housing and units

A shock decision has been made to green light the redevelopment of one of the Gold Coast’s most exclusive enclaves in a move which will take pressure off the housing market. DETAILS

Four-level unit blocks will be built at Sanctuary Cove after the State Government gave the green light for the resort to add more houses and apartments.

The Bulletin understands the Gold Coast City Council raised no objections to the move which would help the city meet its population growth targets.

The approval will see an additional 200 apartments and 110 detached homes built at the resort.

Housing Minister and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said new development in the city’s north would help support the city’s growing population.

Sanctuary Cove. Picture: Supplied

“We welcome proposals from the construction sector, councils and developers to

build more homes for Queenslanders,” she said.

“Our government wants to work with the sector to support the development of more

homes in the areas where they’re needed the most.”

The additional accommodation at Sanctuary Cove will help meet the government’s target of one million homes across Queensland by 2046 as part of the Homes for Queenslanders plan.

Sanctuary Cove has been managed under its own legislation after then Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen approved the integrated resort after meeting with developer Mike Gore.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon Picture: NCA NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

The Sanctuary Cove Resort Act was passed in 1985 and two years later Mr Gore launched the integrated resort, which gained worldwide publicity after he secured top entertainers Frank Sinatra and Whitney Houston to perform in a week-long event.

But the new owners have faced the challenge of updating the precinct and accommodating more residents.

The investment group Mulpha in late 2022 surveyed its residents about the exclusive enclave’s future, undertaking the “most comprehensive community engagement campaign” since taking over the Hope Island resort in 2002.

The Miles Government later received a request to vary the boundaries of zones for Sanctuary Cove Resort under the Sanctuary Cove Resort Act 1985.

More homes can now be built with approval granted to vary the boundaries of zones for Sanctuary Cove Resort.

Barry Teeling. Picture: Jerad Williams

Mulpha Development director Barry Teeling welcomed the government’s decision, describing it as a “good and balanced outcome”.

“Mulpha truly listened to the local community by removing one of the lots from the application,” he said.

“The remaining rezoned lot will release much needed residential land supply to the Gold Coast market.

“The government’s support for rezoning excess sports land represents an innovative response to the housing crisis. We are pleased to be part of that positive outcome.”

The approval was granted by the Governor in Council on March 28, and the government now plans to advise the Registrar of Titles and the council.

Sanctuary Cove.

The department is to write to the Primary Body Corporate seeking a discussion about

future development plans.

A proposal in 2022 to carve up one of the resort’s two golf courses to make way for dozens of apartments led to the owner launching extensive consultation.

“Save The Cove” signs shot up throughout the up-market riverfront enclave and hundreds of protest letters were sent to then Planning Minister Steven Miles.

Their opposition was to a planned four-storey block on The Palms golf course putting and chipping green and more apartments and a recreation centre on the 18th fairway. Dozens more apartments were planned for The Village retail and restaurant precinct.

Residents said developer Mulpha was reaching the end of its land bank and was now trying to build more dwellings than the 2000 designated in the original Sanctuary Cove Resort Act.

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