Plan for cheaper homes

CHEAPER housing could be on the cards for the Gold Coast thanks to a council plan to slash the size of lot sizes across the city.

The council is preparing to update its City Plan nearly two years after its introduction, with changes in policy to allow for higher density development in some areas while blocking it in others.

The changes, including rezoning properties as medium-density, will affect up to 5000 homes, with suburbs such as Ashmore and Mermaid Beach likely to be affected. Proposed changes include:

• Changes to low density residential zones to allow subdivision as small as 400 sq/m on corner lots, duel front lots and within walking distance of major city centres.

• Allowing for more duplexes, triplexes and complexes.

• Updated maps.

• Changes to zoning around Harbour Town Shopping Centre to allow for increased density and more mixed-use business developments.

Community consultation begins today, running until November 15.

City planning boss Cr Cameron Caldwell urged locals to participate, saying the plan was a “living document” which needed to be kept up to date.

UDIA state president Steve Harrison said the changes could have an impact on housing affordability. The Bulletin recently revealed there were no houses for sale on the Gold Coast for below $400,000.

“Smaller housing lots promote greater diversity in the housing when it is becoming more unaffordable,” he said. “It is important to look at this opportunity for first homebuyers and mature-age downsizers.” flood overlay