City of Gold Coast Planning and Development Hub

From 1 March 2018 to 15 April 2018, applications for water and sewer shutdowns may be restricted and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The City’s water and sewerage network control personnel will be prioritising matters related to the Commonwealth Games during this period. As a result, the availability of officers to provide shut-down services to facilitate final connections across the city will be severely limited.

During this period, the City requests that developers, consultants and contractors program their works accordingly to avoid delays within their developments.

The City apologises for any inconvenience caused, and thanks you for your patience during this important event for the city and our community.

More information is available on the City's website.

From 1 January 2018, the Directorate of Planning and Environment has changed its name to Economy, Planning and Environment (EP&E). From the beginning of March 2018, an Office of Innovation and Economy will be established within EP&E consisting of three business areas: Business Investment and Development; Innovation; and Economic Value Management. In addition, the Southport CBD team will transfer to the City Planning Branch of EP&E.

Other updates include changes to Council committees from 1 January 2018, including the City Planning Committee which has become the Economy, Planning and Environment Committee. More information is available on the City’s website.

With the departure of Director Dy Currie at the end of December, thank you to Mick Moran who was EP&E Acting Director until 4 February. Amanda Tzannes is now Acting Director until a permanent appointment is made.

Inspections are required for the construction of public and private development works from pre-start to off-maintenance. The City’s current booking system for developer inspections requires a minimum of 48 hours’ notice for these inspections to be done.

During the Commonwealth Games Period 1 March–18 April 2018, impacts on travel times, closure of roads and other areas, and officer availability will significantly affect the ability to carrying out inspections at this time. As a result, the City will require additional notice when booking inspections and will program inspections to maximise efficiency and minimise impacts on the road network. For example, all inspections in a particular locality may be scheduled on a nominated day or days during this period.

While the City will endeavour to accommodate reasonable inspection requests, developers, consultants and contractors are encouraged to consider inspection scheduling requirements as early as possible and book inspections with the City at least 5 business days in advance to assist in minimising the potential impacts on their projects.

We appreciate your assistance and patience during this exciting time for the city.

Information on roads and other areas affected by closures and restrictions is available on the Get Set for the Games website.

Council adopted amendments to the current “City of Gold Coast Charges Resolution No.2 of 2016” (Charges Resolution) as a result of changes introduced by the Planning Act 2016 (Planning Act) on 3 July 2017.

Specifically, administrative changes have been made to align the Charges Resolution with the Planning Act.

The Charges Resolution has also been aligned with the most recent increases to the maximum adopted charge rates set out in the Planning Regulation 2017 (Planning Regulation).

The new Charges Resolution called “City of Gold Coast Charges Resolution (No.1) of 2017” commenced today, 15 November 2017. It is available on Council’s website.

For more information, please contact the Infrastructure Planning Team on 07 5582 8229.

A biennial event celebrating the best of our built environment, the Gold Coast Urban Design Awards have become the city's most prestigious platform for recognition of design, liveability and sustainability.

This year’s winners of the Gold Coast’s leading design awards include two Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games projects that will make their mark on the city for many years to come.

The 2017 Gold Coast Urban Design Award winners are:

Excellence in Urban Design Award 2017 | Helen Josephson Award for Urban Design Leadership

Parklands Project, by AAA – a joint venture between architects Arkhefield, ARM and Archipelago

Urban Design Award

Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre – Cardno, BVN and John Graham

City Village Terrace Homes – Robina Projects Australia and Andrew Halstead Architects

Commendation

Oasis Shopping Centre Redevelopment Broadbeach – The Buchan Group

Griffith University Student Guild Bar and Link Eatery – Push

Special mention

Surfers Riverside Edge Treatment Project – GHD Woodhead and Gold Coast Waterways Authority

Tactical Urbanism Projects – City Place Making, City of Gold Coast

Public consultation on the first major updates to the City Plan is now in its third week. You are invited to have your say on Major Update 1 and 1B, Major Update to City Plan Policies (Sch 6) and the draft Local Government Infrastructure Plan Major Amendment 1 by Wednesday 15 November 2017. The City is holding two consultation sessions next week where City officers will be available to discuss aspects of the updates.

More information

gchaveyoursay.com.au/majorupdate

To improve customer experience, the City of Gold Coast now accepts Generally in Accordance (GIA) applications by email.

To avoid delays assessing applications, please complete and attach the following supporting documentation in PDF format to the email:

• Generally in Accordance request form (please complete the ‘Original approval number (MCU/ROL)’ and ‘The City’s reference file number (PN)’ fields).

• copy of the relevant original approval (including the decision notice, and approved drawings – including any plan of development and any residential design code)

• new plans and/or a detailed summary of proposed changes

• business partner name and number but only if the application fee is to be charged to a Business partner account.

Email applications to: dart@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

Council will check emailed GIA submissions to ensure they have been lodged correctly and then issue online payment requests for application fees. There is a range of payment options available.

Please note: applications will not be processed until Council receives payment in full.

For additional information please contact our friendly Planning Assessment Admin team on: 07 5582 8866.

It is predicted the majority of millennials will spend their adult lives living in apartments. In contrast, many of the older generations believe a family home needs a big backyard and don’t like the idea of apartment living. Evidence indicates that well-planned density can provide significant economic, social and environmental benefits to cities.

Nicki Hutley, Director and Chief Economist, Urbis, will look at the drivers of change in Australia’s cities such as affordability, the changing shape of our economy, access to employment, and the cost of infrastructure. She will discuss how density offers the solution to many of the challenges faced by our cities, and how some of the problems commonly associated with density can be avoided.

After the presentation Dy Currie, Director, Planning and Environment, City of Gold Coast will lead a panel discussion on the future direction of density with Nicki and the following guest speakers:

Cr Cameron Caldwell, Chair City Planning and Division 3 Councillor, City of Gold Coast

Matt Schneider, Director Gold Coast, Urbis

Nicki Hutley is a highly experienced economist in economic, financial market and public policy experience. Prior to joining Urbis in 2013, Nicki held senior positions with Access Economics and then KPMG.

Throughout her consulting career, Nicki has led large and complex economic projects and policy reviews across a wide range of issues, such as housing affordability, energy efficiency and social impact programs. She has worked for all levels of government across Australia and New Zealand, as well as for private and third sector clients.

In 2016, she was appointed as an expert adviser to the NSW Department of Industry on Economic Development issues.

Nicki has a keen interest in the role of infrastructure, technology and social and environmental policies in driving economic growth and shaping cities and communities. She is also a regular commentator in the media on economic and policy issues.

Details

Date: Thursday 2 November 2017

Presentation 4:30-5:15pm

Panel discussion: 5:15-5:45pm

Venue: Broadbeach Mall Stage

Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach

RSVP: oca@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

Office of the City Architect

Nightingale Housing is a not-for-profit social enterprise that exists to support, promote and advocate for high-quality housing that is ecologically, socially and financially sustainable.

Jeremy McLeod will showcase how the Nightingale development model works with architects, project managers, councils and consortiums committed to better, more sustainable urban housing. He will explain how Nightingale links purchasers and architects to make sure new homes are designed for the community with the community. He will also articulate why our communities deserve better urban spaces and advocate for housing that makes a positive neighbourhood contribution with the financial, social and environmental benefits of truly sustainable housing.

After the presentation a panel will be convened to discuss the future direction of affordable medium density residential development with Jeremy and the following guest speakers:

Leah Lang, City Architect, City of Gold Coast

Professor Adrian Carter, Abedian School of Architecture, Bond University

Amy Degenhart, Director, degenhartSHEDD

As the Gold Coast moves to infill development and expands its light rail transit corridor, could this form of development create a valuable new typology for the city?

Jeremy McLeod bio

Jeremy is the founding Director of Breathe Architecture, a team of dedicated architects who have built a reputation for delivering high quality design and sustainable architecture for all scale projects.

Breathe Architecture focuses on sustainable urbanisation and in particular investigating how to deliver more affordable urban housing to Melbournians.

Breathe Architecture instigated The Commons housing project in Brunswick and are collaborating with other Melbourne architects to deliver the Nightingale model. Nightingale is intended to be an architect led open source housing model. Jeremy believes that through collaboration, architects can drive real positive change in this city we call home.

Details

Date: Thursday 26 October 2017

Time: 12pm refreshments | 12:15pm presentation

Venue: Arts Centre Gold Coast, Lakeside Terrace, 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise

RSVP: oca@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

Mick Moran has been appointed to the role of Manager City Development. Mick has more than 15 years of professional planning experience with the Queensland Government, Sinclair Knight Merz and the City of Gold Coast. The City Development Branch is responsible for development assessment, appeals, development compliance, contributed assets, plumbing and drainage and place making projects.