RESIDENTS URGED TO HAVE SAY ON INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

A LAST-minute plea has been issued to Gold Coasters to have their say on the future of infrastructure development in the city.

Community consultation on the Gold Coast City Council’s draft Local Government Infrastructure Plan closes on Friday afternoon.

The plan will cover all new projects built in the city in the next 20 years.

Robina councillor Hermann Vorster urged residents concerned about the state government’s proposed athletes village at Robina to have their say before it is too late.

“There are some vital projects that are dangerously close to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games,” he said.

“I’m worried the state may veto many of these upgrades because they are scheduled too close to the Olympic Games.

“And that may mean we end up with less infrastructure because of the Olympic Games – and not more, like we were promised when it was sold to us.”

The plan will use population modelling to target where road and infrastructure upgrades will be needed most.

Planning boss Cameron Caldwell said the infrastructure plan was “where the rubber hits the road for project delivery”.

“We have worked hard across all council directorates to ensure that the lifestyle that we all know and love on the Gold Coast is protected into the future by identifying critical infrastructure,” he said.

“Our financial capacity to deliver growth-related infrastructure is directly impacted by our ability to recover developer contributions in a framework determined by the state government.

“We have commenced work on how to better future proof the current state government framework to extract the best value for ratepayers.”

To have your say, visit gchaveyoursay.com.au