GREAT BUT NIMBY
Coast surges 15,000 a year and needs more space as Hinterland says ...
THE Gold Coast population is surging by almost 15,000 new people a year – the only problem is where to put them all.
Rural Hinterland residents have given a resounding thumbs down to the fast-growing tourism capital’s thirst for more green space when it comes to sub-divisions going in out their way.
In a council survey, more than three out of every four residents in the area opposed development or had reservations about low-medium density development.
Gold Coast city councillor Glenn Tozer noted the strong desire of Hinterland residents to “retain the green behind the gold”.
THE overwhelming majority of rural residents do not want the Gold Coast Hinterland subdivided for houses to accommodate the population boom, according to a council survey.
Opposition from residents means development between the Mudgeeraba Rd and Pacific Motorway, a key investigation area for council, will now not occur until at least 2040.
In face-to-face polling, 76 per cent of rural property owners were not supportive at all or had reservations about lowmedium density development.
Another online survey found 57 per cent of the property owners in the area did not support any change, or only after another 25 years.
Area councillor Glenn Tozer said council had conducted the consultation to determine the financial risk to ratepayers of funding infrastructure earlier than required.
“It was concluded that based on the survey responses, the financial risk is unacceptable and the city will prioritise further planning to unlock growth opportunities in other parts of the city,” he said.
Cr Tozer acknowledged the survey findings revealed the strong desire by residents “to retain the green behind the gold”.
“Residents in the Hinterland love their lifestyle and want to maintain it. Of course, many also want to realise the best value for their property in the future and are open to future consideration of that matter.”
Destination Gold Coast chair Paul Donovan said he was in favour of more tourism activity in the Hinterland including boosted walking tracks. “We need to appreciate how good the Hinterland is from a tourism point of view.
“I want to see it opened up with walking tracks and natural experiences. That’s what people want. I’m not so sure about housing developments. There is a balance we have to find. ”
The survey findings and council recommendations put the spotlight again on greenfield sites in the Coast’s fastgrowing northern M1 corridor and high-rise redevelopment along the tourist strip.
“Other locations throughout the city will meet the need, perhaps the release of up to 3500 dwellings at Pacific View Estate just north of Mudgeeraba in Worongary,” Cr Tozer said. “This project is estimated to have an economic impact exceeding $3 billion. I’ve worked closely with the applicant to ensure the State approval they have aligns with the expected application to start work in the coming year.”
The Mudgeeraba investigation area included 53 properties in a rural residential zone and identified the potential for between 328 and 504 new dwellings in the area.
The city’s population has tipped 600,000. By 2041 it is expected to reach 943,686.
New figures released by Treasury and viewed by councillors at a meeting in January predicted the Coast would grow by 14,670 people annually for the next 25 years, up from the average 10,000 per year.
Parkwood and Oxenford – are also being assessed for future urban development.
THE so-called ‘green behind the gold’ of this fine city is something that needs to be protected.
So it is very well understood where the majority of Hinterland residents are coming from when they reject any notion of subdivisions coming out their way to cater for the Gold Coast’s booming population.
Latest figures, as revealed in the Bulletin today, show almost 15,000 extra people are pouring into the city to live each year. They have to go somewhere.
The City Plan is trying to cater for them to go up as much as possible in high density high-rises but that can only go so far.
Green space development continues to be required.
If not the Hinterland, which tourism boss Paul Donovan is right to say should be used for natural tourism experiences, then other sites must be found as a priority.