FAQs

A concept plan is an early-stage design that outlines the overall vision and potential layout of a project. It illustrates what could be delivered, but it is not a final design. Further investigations, technical assessments, and stakeholder engagement are undertaken before any detailed design or construction decisions are made.

A Design Risk Assessment will be undertaken during detailed design phase of the project, which will consider the concept plan and identify any activities that may impact road safety or require traffic management measures surrounding the immediate project area. 

In additional to the formalisation of the existing car park area, the concept plan includes a vehicle turnaround area. This will allow cars and larger vehicles to safely manoeuvre and turn around to exit Austinville Road. The exact location and design will be confirmed through further road and traffic investigations to ensure it is safe and suitable for all users.

The Austinville Conservation Area (Mudgeeraba Creek section) was not identified through this project. The location was previously identified through Council-endorsed strategic planning as a suitable location for nature-based recreation infrastructure and visitor facilities.

The Bally Mountain Conservation Reserves Management Plan (2012) identified an action to investigate the feasibility of establishing a day use area within the Austinville Conservation Area (Mudgeeraba Creek section). This strategic direction was subsequently reinforced through the City's Nature-Based Recreation Plan 2015-2025, which identified the Austinville Conservation Area (Mudgeeraba Creek section) as a key nature-based recreation location and included a proposal for a day use area and shared-use trail improvements.

The site was identified because it provides access to the Austinville-Bonogin trail network and can function as a defined entry point into the broader conservation estate. Its location enables visitors to begin and end their visit in a managed area supported by infrastructure such as parking, amenities and wayfinding.

Providing infrastructure in a defined location helps concentrate visitor activity, improve safety and access, protect environmentally sensitive areas, and support the long-term management of recreation within the conservation area. The final project has evolved into the Austinville Conservation Area Trailhead, which focuses on supporting the site's existing role as a trailhead and access point to the Austinville-Bonogin trail network while protecting the area's environmental and cultural values and maintaining the valley's unique rural character and sense of place.

Austinville Conservation Area already provides access to the Austinville-Bonogin trail network and is used by residents and visitors for a range of nature-based recreation activities.

As the Gold Coast's population continues to grow, the City has a responsibility to plan for and provide access to nature-based recreation opportunities in appropriate locations, while protecting the environmental values that make these places special. The Austinville Conservation Area Trailhead is intended to provide essential infrastructure that supports safe and sustainable access to the existing trail network.

The project focuses on improving visitor management by formalising parking, providing amenities and improving access arrangements within a defined area. This helps reduce impacts associated with informal parking, unmanaged access and recreational use, while protecting environmentally sensitive areas and maintaining the unique rural character and sense of place of the Austinville Valley.

The City will continue to promote opportunities for the community to connect with nature, while ensuring recreation is supported by appropriate infrastructure and managed in a way that balances access, environmental protection and community values.

The Austinville Conservation Area Trailhead is not intended to create a new tourism destination. The project focuses on supporting the site's existing role as a trailhead and access point to the Austinville-Bonogin trail network through the provision of essential visitor infrastructure and improved visitor management.

The City recognises the importance of providing opportunities for residents and visitors to connect with nature and enjoy the Gold Coast's natural areas. As the city's population continues to grow, it is important that nature-based recreation opportunities are supported by appropriate infrastructure that helps manage visitor use and protect environmental values.

The final concept plan has been designed to balance recreation access with conservation outcomes. By providing a defined trailhead, formalised parking, amenities and managed access points, the project aims to improve safety, reduce environmental impacts associated with informal use, and protect the environmental, cultural and rural character values that make Austinville unique.

A trailhead provides a defined and managed starting point for recreational activities such as bushwalking, trail running and nature appreciation.

The Austinville Conservation Area Trailhead is intended to support access to the existing Austinville-Bonogin trail network by providing basic infrastructure such as parking, amenities, wayfinding and managed access points. This helps improve visitor safety and experience while reducing impacts on environmentally sensitive areas.

The proposed concept plan includes formalising the car parking, improved pedestrian access via a boardwalk and potential short span bridge, public amenities, picnic facilities, dedicated access points to Mudgeeraba Creek.

No, there are no plans to install barbeques within the reserve. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and enjoy a picnic in designated areas.

A rubbish bin is included in the final concept plan and is located at the main entrance on Austinville Road. Further investigations will confirm if a rubbish bin is feasible in this area.  

The project has been designed to minimise impacts on existing vegetation and make use of areas that have already been disturbed. Much of the proposed infrastructure within Austinville Conservation Area (Mudgeeraba Creek section) is located within an existing grassed area that has remained largely unchanged since the City acquired the property.

No mature canopy trees are proposed to be removed as part of the project. Any removal of ground or understorey vegetation required to accommodate infrastructure or improve site management will be minimised and undertaken with care. The detailed design process will include further assessment of vegetation and environmental values to ensure impacts are avoided or minimised wherever possible.

Any vegetation removal required for the project will be undertaken in accordance with all relevant environmental legislation and guidelines, including the Vegetation Management Act 1999, where applicable.

The project also seeks to better manage visitor access and recreational use to help reduce ongoing impacts on surrounding environmentally sensitive areas. Where appropriate, revegetation and landscape planting will be undertaken as part of the project.

Environmental sustainability is a key priority of the project. The final design will comply with all relevant environmental legislation and guidelines. Special care will be taken to avoid impacts and minimise disturbance to vegetation. The majority of the proposed upgrades are located within an existing cleared/grassed area of the reserve. Any unavoidable impacts will be managed responsibly and compensated for through planting and habitat restoration in other parts of the reserve.

The proposed concept plan respects the cultural significance of the site by including only what is necessary to support the reserve and its visitors. Recognising that storytelling is key to caring for Country, the proposed structures and features are designed to encourage sharing of cultural knowledge. We will be consulting with relevant Traditional Owner groups and cultural heritage specialists to co-design interpretive signage. All work will comply with cultural heritage legislation, and any findings or concerns will be managed in partnership with the appropriate stakeholders to ensure respectful and responsible outcomes.

No. This project relates only to the Austinville Conservation Area visitor area and proposed trailhead facilities.

The focus is on providing low-impact, carefully planned infrastructure to support daytime visitation and improve how people access and experience the area. This includes trailhead-style facilities such as defined parking, basic amenities, sheltered picnic areas, and safer, managed access to Mudgeeraba Creek. The aim is to create a well-managed entry point that concentrates visitor use, supports recreational access, and helps reduce environmental impacts across the wider valley.

UPDATE: Austinville Eco Accommodation has been removed from the Nature-Based Tourism Program.

Head to the Nature-Based Tourism Program website to learn more. For all questions relating to the Austinville Eco-accommodation, please email naturebasedtourism@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

No. The visitor/day use area is for daytime use only. Camping, overnight stays, and permanent accommodation are not included in the concept plan and will not be permitted at the site.

We will provide regular updates through project bulletins, social media, and the dedicated project web page. You can sign up for updates to this web page to receive updates and stay informed about the project.

The concept plan proposes a formalised car park.

A Design Risk Assessment will be undertaken during detailed design phase of the project, which will consider the concept plan and identify any activities that may impact road safety or require traffic management measures surrounding the immediate project area.

Improving accessibility is a key consideration. The detailed design phase will explore inclusive and accessible design opportunities, where feasible, while balancing environmental constraints and terrain limitations.

The City of Gold Coast will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance and management of the visitor/day use area, consistent with how other conservation area facilities are managed.

No. Due to the ecological sensitivity of the area, we are not proposing any lighting. The reserve is intended for daytime use only.

Following community consultation and further project investigations, the City finalised the Austinville Conservation Area Trailhead Landscape Concept Plan.

The project will now progress to the detailed design phase, where the proposed elements and layout identified in the Concept Plan will undergo further assessment, investigations and design development. This work will help refine the design, confirm feasibility and ensure environmental, cultural, operational and technical requirements are appropriately addressed.

The detailed design will inform the preparation of construction-ready documentation and future project delivery.

Consultation on the concept plan has concluded. There will be another opportunity to have your say during the detailed design phase.

We will provide regular updates through project bulletins, social media, and the dedicated project web page.  You can sign up for updates to this web page to receive updates and stay informed about the project.

Community feedback played an important role in refining the Draft (50%) Austinville Conservation Area Landscape Concept Plan and directly informed the development of the final design.

In response to community feedback, together with stakeholder input and further project investigations, significant changes were made to the project, resulting in a substantial reduction in the size and scale of the proposal. Key changes include:

• Removal of the proposed overflow car park within Upper Mt Nimmel Road Reserve.
• Removal of the associated footpath connection to the overflow car park.
• Simplification of the site entrance, including removal of the proposed shelter structure.
• Removal of the long-span pedestrian bridge and replacement with simpler pedestrian access arrangements.
• Reduction in the size of the proposed amenities building.
• Inclusion of a vehicle turnaround area to provide a safe location for vehicles, including service and maintenance vehicles, to manoeuvre and turn around.

These changes reflect the feedback received from the community and help ensure the project better balances visitor access, site management, environmental protection and the unique rural character of the Austinville Valley.

You can view all changes in the Final Austinville Conservation Area Trailhead Landscape Concept Plan.

If you have a particular question about the concept plan for Austinville CA Trailhead  please email naturalareasadmin@goldcoast.qld.gov.au