HIGHER THINKING NOT ALWAYS THE RIGHT ANSWER
Towers have a major place on the Gold Coast but they are far from a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to the housing crisis and population boom
IT’S time to stop telling the lie that high-rises will solve our housing crisis.
Unfortunately, it may be too late to stop the fallout from this fallacy.
In fact, this fib is the reason why the Gold Coast City Plan now faces rejection, with State Government planning officials reportedly unhappy with height limits in a number of suburbs.
Now that’s not to say that I oppose tower developments. In fact, I can’t quite understand the issue that residents have with Aniko Group’s proposed $1bn fourtower mega project in Mermaid Beach (arguably Broadbeach). It’s literally next door to Pacific Fair and the light rail hub, hardly a quaint suburban neighbourhood that’s being ruined by the built environment.
But when it comes to highrises, I’m not wholeheartedly in support either.
Nobody wants to see Wall Street by the beach. The truth is that skyscrapers absolutely have their place (see above) … but they are simply not a onesize-fits-all solution.
Certainly they provide high-density living, which is a necessity given that our city is all but bursting at the seams.
When pensioners and families alike are forced to live in their cars because they can’t find a home, you know we don’t just have a problem, we have a crisis.
But is boosting the supply of five-star luxury high-rise homes really the answer?
For those who are most at risk from soaring rental and purchase prices, what good are endless ocean views and a sky garage?
Because when it comes to supply and demand for housing in the city, the equation is undeniably unbalanced. It’s not simply a matter of there bring greater demand than supply, it’s also the kind of product we’re supplying that is off kilter.
Providing more five-star units does not get pensioners out of their cars and under a roof. There is no doubt that there is a need for high-rise development, but we can’t stop there.
And that’s where the State Government is getting it wrong. By insisting that we need height to achieve high density, the government is only locking in more unaffordable housing and continuing the crisis.
Think about it – how many high-rises have you seen that are built for lower socioeconomic demographics?
It has been done before … in America they’re called ‘the projects’. In the UK, they’ve become death traps … think of the horrific Grenfell Tower fire. Yet in comments to the Bulletin, Queensland Deputy Premier and Local Government and Planning Minister Steven Miles said he was concerned about “unintended consequences” if the Gold Coast City Plan and its amendments were approved in their current form. That is, with lower heights and greater setbacks.
“It’s important to ensure there are no unintended consequences, particularly in the context of the current housing supply challenges on the Gold Coast,” Mr Miles said.
“... I want to be sure any changes do not limit housing supply, affordability or availability on the Gold Coast.”
Fortunately for our city, the response from the council - particularly from Deputy Mayor Donna Gates and Division 7 councillor Ryan Bayldon-lumsden - has been absolutely correct. As Cr Bayldon-lumsden said, plenty of affordable houses can be produced under the current and future city plan.
“The City officers did extensive scenario testing to show this and the State has this information,” he said.
If we want to solve the housing crisis, high-rises can not be the sole solution.
What we need is the will and the way to build affordable accommodation options. We need to boost supply across all demographics so that we can house not just those who want to live in skyscrapers by the sea, but those who simply need somewhere safe and secure to rest their heads.
So let the State Government step in with the Housing Summit next month, but let’s look at offering some incentives to create higherdensity living at lower levels.
And above all, let’s approve the City Plan and start building a future so that every Gold Coast resident can afford somewhere to live.
Because the truth is that size does matter … but height is not the answer.
Nobody wants to see Wall Street by the beach ...