Stuck between a rock and a green space
OUR city is fast becoming unaffordable to live. How do we accommodate everyone without either creating slum suburbs or destroying the green behind the gold?
Who is to blame here? What has not been explained are the roles played by the council and the state government.
When talking recently about potential growth areas Gaven and Highland Park, councillor Peter Young was asked about a population cap. He set the record straight in his latest newsletter update: “We are not forced to accommodate an additional 400,000 people by 2041, but we are required to plan for that growth,” he wrote.
“Council’s fundamental objective is not to encourage further growth in greenfield areas where bushland and rural lifestyle options exist.”
So 80 per cent of the increase will occur in existing urban areas, ensuring 51 per cent of the city is natural vegetation. That’s the plan, anyway.
“We cannot impose a population cap and simply stop people coming to the Gold Coast, which continues to experience substantial growth from natural interstate and international migration,” Mr Young said.
So how was that government target of 400,000 determined in the first place?
A council insider says government planning strategists base it on birthrates and interstate and overseas migration.
What’s critical to understand is the council’s role being limited to ensuring the number of dwellings can be provided for the population.
“No councillor is particularly supportive of meeting the state’s population target,” the council insider says. “Councillors have autonomy, they don’t have to agree.”
The government is refusing to approve council’s City Plan changes, which reduce population around light rail. This follows several years of community meetings.
Councillors, of course, can refuse developments, but ultimately that can cost the ratepayer millions of dollars in the planning court.
Into this whole debate, from the state’s view, is the added issue of housing affordability.
This is not just about providing accommodation for low-income earners, but a wider economic challenge of not allowing high demand for little stock to push property prices up and create inflation.
“Almost everything we do in dwelling growth is directed by what the state does,” the council insider said.
“The state have a statewide view and target certain areas. It’s beyond me why we don’t have more growth in Toowoomba.”
Mr Young said wildlife corridors through to the M1 and public parks could be protected.
At Palm Beach, a record 1500 residents have lodged an objection to a 22-storey tower. What is more acceptable to them? The developer might get 15 levels, they might want eight.
This population planning game, it’s all about numbers. The most important is the number who protest.