LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO PROVIDE BALANCE

WE are a city on the move. And we are a city that must balance growth with lifestyle. In the last few years, a degree of criticism has been levelled at councillors, and the administration, about: our population growth targets; where new development is occurring; density of development on certain allotments.

First, population targets are set by the state government. Second, we can’t stop people moving here. Third, we must try to tackle two competing issues simultaneously – affordability, and lifestyle.

However possible, I want our youth to be able to afford to “get a start” with their first home. A lack of land supply is making that extremely tough.

This week, the final rounds of consultation on our latest City Plan amendments concluded. The next step is for officers to assess these submissions, and for the plan to be sent to the state government for sign off (around September).

It is important to understand how our planning scheme has evolved since 2003. In that year, the Gold Coast Planning Scheme was primarily focused on localised planning outcomes.

Today, City Plan consultation is heavily geared towards a citywide audience, reaching a much larger section of the community through modern communication channels including social media, online news channels, and electronic newsletters.

Our refreshed City Plan commenced on February 2, 2016. It included an online plan that integrated interactive mapping solutions to ensure users could produce their own land-use property enquiries.

Before its final endorsement in February 2016, the draft City Plan underwent extensive public consultation.

Since 2016, the plan has seen six major amendments. All of these amendments have been released to public consultation for a combined 215 days. New engagement tools such as GC Have Your Say, Planning and Development Hub, Story Maps, and the new City Plan online submissions portal have been introduced. These provide interactive ways for the community to view information, have their say, and interact with City officers.

Plus we have undertaken tailored engagement to assist in developing proposed amendments for more localised planning outcomes, such as the Oxenford Investigation area as well as Mudgeeraba and Parkwood.

Feedback received from these communities influenced the City’s future planning decision for those areas.

The latest amendments – which wrapped up this week saw feedback from four rounds of public consultation. During the public consultation, City officers have: reviewed and considered at least 1661 submissions during 20 community events; consulted with at least 1500 members of the community; received more than 200 telephone queries; and responded to a large number of emails and online enquiries.

No one can realistically say they did not have a chance to have their views heard.

What I hope residents understand is we must plan for higher density along our key public transport corridors. By building up, not out, means people can live where they want to, access public transport at their door and still enjoy the primary attractions that bring people to the coast – our beaches and open space.

I never want to see open space lost to terracotta roofs. For years to come, it will be about achieving a balance between growth and lifestyle.

Let’s work together to achieve it – and keep the market as affordable as possible for the next generation wanting their slice of paradise.