RethinkingR priorities as unit prices fly to $1.5m

THE Gold Coast City Council is rethinking its planning priorities for the next five years as the cost of one-bedroom units in beach suburbs rises to $1.5m.

Veteran city councillor Daphne McDonald flagged the hot topic as the most recent full council meeting approved a draft corporate plan to be considered for public consultation.

The plan aims for achievable shortterm goals so the city can work on its vision to secure real benefits from cohosting the 2032 Olympic Games.

“In the area that I represent some of the cheapest properties are around $1m,” Cr Mcdonald said.

“What I’m hearing loud and clear is that the concern is we just don’t have affordable housing on the Gold Coast. That is my concern.

“A one-bedroom unit, very small, is costing $1.5m. If you have a family, certainly a $1.5m unit is hard to obtain.”

Mayor Tom Tate questioned whether the prices suggested were the average, but agreed affordability must be debated.

“When we go to community consultation we will get that feedback,” he said.

Senior councillor Bob La Castra said he was aware of 18-year-old students spending at least 50 per cent of their incomes on rent.

Mayor Tate told him: “Don’t get me wrong mate. I want the next generation to afford the opportunity we all had when we built our first dwelling.

“We will do our best to make sure we will preserve our lifestyle and, secondly, affordable housing for young kids to get in there. We want to make sure they are living the Australian dream.”

William Owen-jones, who worked to secure more social housing in Palm Beach before being elected to council, cautioned Cr Mcdonald that tougher planning choices would need to be made.

He said requests by councillors asking for extra basement carparking could add between $40,000 to $60,000 to costs, let alone the impact of reducing setbacks.

Mayor Tate agreed, saying additional setbacks “takes away density” and forces the prices of property to increase.

The draft corporate plan focuses on five key areas and includes “liveable places”, diversifying the city’s economy and ensuring the Coast maintains a “vibrant lifestyle”.

Council CEO Tim Baker indicated the themes would have set KPIS once public consultation was completed.