Northern Gold Coast cane fields pitched as solution to overpopulation along light rail route

Cane fields in the Gold Coast’s north should be replaced by “canal estates” to fight overpopulation on the light rail line, says a city MP - but his plan has sparked outrage from the local councillor.

CANE fields in the Gold Coast’s north should be replaced by “canal estates” to combat overpopulation along the light rail line, says a city MP.

Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens claims development in the cane fields is the solution to a “Sardine City” forming along the tram track.

But the proposal sparked outrage from area city councillor Mark Hammel, who said it “will not happen on his watch”.

Mr Stevens told Parliament on Tuesday: “There are only some 40 practising cane farmers today and (they) recognise the time has come for the area to go the same way that the cotton and arrowroot industries on the Gold Coast went.

“Let that land be used for its best and highest purpose in providing housing for the thousands of people moving to the Gold Coast every year.

“Canal estates would provide flood-free living to future residents.

“Stop chock-a-blocking more people into an already brimming neighbourhood of my electorate and address the obvious need to pursue the greenfield development of the cane lands.

Ray Stevens. Photo Steve Pohlner

Mark Hammel. Pic Mike Batterham

“It also gives you a wonderful opportunity to extend an alternative M1 through this highly sought-after development area.”

A state government task-force was charged in March 2021 with investigating the cane fields as possible towns to ease pressure on established suburbs.

The Growth Areas Delivery Team would look at undeveloped land to become new growth areas.

But Cr Hammel said: “The state government is already billions of dollars behind in critical infrastructure to support the rapidly expanding areas of Pimpama, Yatala and Ormeau.

“Under this plan for canal estates, we would add tens of billions of dollars more to the tab by opening the floodgates on residential development in the cane fields.

“Ratepayers cannot afford this additional stretch on the budget.”

The cane fields and Rocky Point Mill.

He called for fixes to traffic congestion, problem M1 exits and public transport to be put first.

“Jumping to conclusions that we can just cover the cane fields in canals and allow mass residential development to occur is not smart or appropriate planning, in my opinion, and will not happen on my watch.”

Cr Hammel has previously called for expanding the Yatala Industrial Area and “satellite residential communities” as the optimal use for the area.

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Originally published as Northern Gold Coast cane fields pitched as solution to overpopulation along light rail route