Ray Stevens backs Norwell Valley 'super suburb' but demands developers sweeten the deal
MP Ray Stevens backs plans for a 90,000-resident 'Sugar Town' in Gold Coast's cane fields but warns developers must fund crucial infrastructure first.
The new super suburb in the Gold Coast cane fields should be called “Sugar Town” but developers must sweeten the deal by building infrastructure, state parliament has been told.
Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens has welcomed council’s decision to fast track planning with the state government for the Norwell Valley project but added some caveats.
He said the Coast had several examples of “brilliant developer-funded infrastructure” including Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island, Runaway Bay and Chevron Island.
“I have no doubt the council will ensure that developers make their fair, justifiable and reasonable contribution to this new waterway wonderland to house the great Gold Coast
migration from interstate,” Mr Stevens said.
“And just think of the enormous increase in rating money that will be earned by the council over the many years to come.”
In a speech to parliament on Thursday night, Mr Stevens was supportive of the plans for the project, revealed in last Saturday’s Bulletin, and even suggested a name for the super suburb.
“Perhaps we could call this new suburb “Sugar Town”,” he said.
“As it will be amongst the sweetest places to live, work and play on the Gold Coast over the next few decades to come, and will satisfy the never ending migration from the southern states seeking utopia in the Sunshine State.”
Developers have said they will work with both the council and government on infrastructure. At least 56 farmers, facing tough times, want to sell their land as soon as possible.
Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel said the early reaction from residents and visitors was positive.
“I was really pleased to hear a lot of people acknowledge that cane farmers are struggling — that if there needs to be a transition plan that’s a good thing,” he said.
“But also lot of people raising concerns about things like hydraulics and infrastructure. It demonstrates there’s a willingness from the community to have a look but all of those concerns that the community share are the same ones councillors share.
“They are about flooding, infrastructure and the environment and how we can get that right.”
Mr Stevens said he had been “haranguing the Gold Coast City Council about
this prime piece of real estate” to put in proper planning processes.
“The Norwell Valley with government and council planning support could see 40,000 new housing lots developed, providing 50-90,000 residents a home,” he said.
Mr Stevens said it would prevent the coastal strip from becoming “the sardine city” many residents feared.
“I congratulate Mayor Tom Tate and the majority of his council for their vision and foresight in putting this plan in place, and I look forward to a magnificent outcome when
this super suburb comes to fruition,” he said.
“I was Mayor of Albert Shire when we turned degraded cow paddocks with flood susceptible drainage into the fabulous area now known as Hope Island, which is prime Gold Coast real estate where the Premier of Queensland and his family are proud to call home.
“I was on that great council when Sanctuary Cove came into being and what an outstanding development that housing estate has become, being amongst the most sought-after lifestyle communities on the Gold Coast with direct access to the beautiful Moreton Bay.”
Mr Stevens said the canelands with proper planning could ease the considerable traffic, parking, and people congestion on the coastal strip.
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Originally published as Ray Stevens backs Norwell Valley 'super suburb' but demands developers sweeten the deal
