Calls to rewrite laws on planning

GOLD COAST residents are calling for a major overhaul of Queensland’s “lax” planning laws to ensure developers stay within set planning guidelines.

Over 2000 people have signed a petition put to the state Government by Gold Coast resident Lois Levy, in a bid to tighten the state’s planning legislations, which is then implemented by council.

Ms Levy, of residents’ group the South East Queensland Alliance, said the petition was sparked by “continued deviations’ from the Gold Coast City Plan (implemented in 2016) to the benefit of developers.”

“Our concerns are around how the State Planning Act has been interpreted by council’s for policies like the Gold Coast City Plan,” she said.

“The laws, the way they are written are fairly lax, and allow council far too many relaxations for developers in regards to height, setbacks, density, parking and communal space.”

Planning Act provisions no longer require that inconsistencies with the planning scheme only be allowed where there is “sufficient grounds”.

This, Ms Levy argues, gives the council discretion to make decisions even if the result is not outside the agreed plan.

A lack of adherence to the City Plan has also recently been criticised by Cr Daphne McDonald, Cr Dawn Crichlow and Cr Pauline Young who have taken issue with highrise development approvals in areas like Mermaid Beach.

“We want more proscriptive state guidelines truly based on the benefit for the community and increased enforcement to go with it,” she said.

“We accept infill and development, but within the city plans that are agreed upon.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate criticised the petition and said he stands by the City Plan.

“It is easy to criticise from the sideline while ignoring the facts,” he said.

“Ms Levy needs to accept that 15,000 people a year are moving here. They need to live somewhere.”

“Our City Plan, endorsed by the State Government, promotes residential growth along our key transport corridors. That makes sense as it means more people can live, work and enjoy the Gold Coast without relying solely on cars.

“Our City Plan is about building up, to prevent mass urban sprawl across our beloved green space.

“Ms Levy must be an advocate for urban sprawl as she is critical of our City Plan which ensures the long-term protection of our green and open space.”

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