City of Gold Coast Planning and Development Hub

To assist with determining whether a property is within 400 metres walking distance from a mixed use centre or specialist centre the following advice has been prepared.

The Tables of assessment for the Low density residential zone (where not in the Large lot precinct), provide reduced levels of assessment for some land uses where a locational test can be met. For example, a Dual occupancy is Accepted subject to requirements if it is not adjoining an existing or approved Dual occupancy and where located on:

(a) a corner lot; or

(b) a lot with both street and rear lane access; or

(c) a lot within 400 metres walking distance of a mixed use centre or specialist centre

This item provides additional information on point (c).

Mixed use centres and specialist centres

Specialist centres are:

• Surfers Paradise (Centre zone)

• Bundall and Gold Coast Cultural Precinct (Innovation zone)

• Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct/Griffith University (Innovation zone)

• Bond University/Varsity Central (Innovation zone and Centre zone)

• Gold Coast Airport/Southern Cross University (Special purpose zone)

Mixed use centres are:

• located within the Centre zone (other than those that are Specialist centres)

• Southport (CBD) key regional centre (‘CBD Precinct’ in the Southport Priority Development Area)

• Robina key regional centre (‘Robina Town Centre Core Precinct’ in the Robina Central Planning Agreement)

The centres hierarchy is shown in the Centre zone code and on Strategic framework map 5.

Measuring 400 metres walking distance

Walking distance is defined in the City Plan as,

The distance between two points that a person may lawfully and reasonably take on foot.

Note - where the term is used within the table of assessment or assessment provisions,
the distance is taken from the frontage of the subject site to the closest part of the destination.

The distance should be measured along a lawful and reasonable walking route between the front boundary of the subject property to the closest part of the zone/precinct for one of the above centres. This terminology has been used to ensure that the test is facilitating the land uses in areas that can take advantage of the walkable distance to a centre. Walking routes that travel through private property, or a fence, would not meet the City Plan definition.

To assist, Council’s City Plan interactive mapping website includes the relevant zones, an aerial photograph of the City (to identify footpaths and walkable routes) and a measuring tool - see example here.

In accordance with the Planning Act 2016 the City of Gold Coast has prepared a Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP) which outlines the City’s vision for trunk infrastructure over the next 15 years.

The draft LGIP has been endorsed by Council, approved by a State Government-appointed reviewer and is currently with the Minister for State interest review. Following approval from the State Government to proceed, the draft LGIP will progress to public consultation, with City officers to review every properly made submission and make changes to the draft LGIP if required. The City will then seek final approval from the State Government to proceed with the LGIP, aiming to have it adopted and implemented by July 2018.

The LGIP outlines the City’s vision for trunk infrastructure services including water supply, sewerage, stormwater, public parks and land for community facilities, and transport networks, which will meet the needs of our growing community. It will boost our robust economy by providing transparent information to the public regarding our future infrastructure plans. The LGIP replaces the current transitional LGIP (formerly the Priority Infrastructure Plan) and will be reviewed regularly and amended with the City Plan.

For more information on the LGIP, please email StrategicInfrastructure@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

We are currently finalising changes to our documents, processes and systems to align with the new planning framework. Decision notices for certain applications such as MCU and ROL issued from 3 July 2017 will include a Statement of Reasons that outline the reasons for decision. Development application information will continue to be available through PD Online. Our updated website includes information about other changes arising from the new planning framework and the updated fees and charges. Visit our website or contact the Planning Enquiries Centre on 07 5582 8708.

The City of Gold Coast (City) is seeking feedback from developers and industry on the City’s plans for changes to large water meter installations (50mm and above).

Historically, all of the City’s large water meters have been installed below ground in plastic or cement meter pits outside of the property boundary. The proposed changes will see larger meters installed above ground and on lot. The changes are applicable for new water meter installations and reconfigurations only with existing meter installations being assessed on a case by case basis when replacement is required.

The changes will be implemented in approximately six months' time and will improve accessibility to the meters, extend their lifespan and reduce workplace health and safety issues associated with accessing underground meter pits. The changes will also align the City’s standards with other water service providers, including those in South East Queensland.

The plans and drawings detailing the changes are provided here for viewing.

Please provide your feedback on these planned changes to watermeters@goldcoast.qld.gov.au by 31 January 2018.

The Planning Regulation 2017 Schedule 18 changes the application process for approval of a plan of subdivision (plan sealing). Council has been reviewing the new application and decision requirements to bring our plan of subdivision assessment process (plan sealing) and documents in line with the new requirements

Schedule 18 of the Planning Regulation sets out application, assessment and decision requirements for approving plans of subdivision. Like other application processes, applicants will be required to front load their applications to ensure they meet all relevant approval requirements. New Council application forms will acknowledge the completion of all previous development permit obligations, prior to lodgement of the plan of subdivision with Council. This step is designed to help ensure that all material is lodged with Council at the necessary time.

A separate communication will be released on Monday 3 July detailing the changes and providing information on how the City will transition to the new requirements.

Council will be allowing a transition period where the current Council plan sealing application kit forms will be accepted for the first two weeks of July.

A workshop will also be arranged inviting applicants to provide feedback on the new process requirements following an initial ‘go live’ period.

New forms and associated documents will be available on the website from 3 July 2017. Feedback and/or queries regarding Council’s new process and documentation are encouraged via plansealing@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

On 17 May 2017, Council resolved to adopt Minor & Administrative Update 3 and the Planning Act Alignment update, as amendments to the City Plan.

What does this mean?

City Plan Version 4 will commence on 3 July 2017, incorporating the above updates, and supersedes City Plan Version 3.

What do you need to know?

City Plan Version 4 and the content of each update package will be accessible via the City Plan internet page on 3 July 2017.

To assist applicants with the preparation of applications City Plan Version 4 code templates are now available to download here.

The interactive mapping website will be updated to show Version 4 content on 3 July 2017 (if the latest version is not visible, you may need to ‘hard refresh’ by pressing Ctrl + F5). Versions 1, 2 and 3 will also be available.

Dekho will also be updated to include Version 4. Version 3 and 2003 Planning Scheme layers will remain. However, due to technical limitations, Version 2 mapping layers will be removed.

Notable changes

Minor & Administrative Update 3 has resulted in over 160 changes, 92 of which were made based on feedback received through ‘Improve our City Plan’.

Planning Act Alignment update aligns the City Plan terminology with the Planning Act 2016, and changes have been made to facilitate bounded assessment.

Our online calendar is now live, providing a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of City events and training as well as key industry activities relevant to planning and development industry professionals. This calendar will be continually updated throughout the year and we welcome ideas and feedback on other relevant events.

View calendar

If you would like to provide event information for publishing on the calendar please email details to Martine Cousins mcousins@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

The City is now accepting applications for Pre-Assessment Standard Format Plan Sealing. The pre-assessment process aims to assist in reducing assessment timeframes for Standard Format Plan applications. The application kit is designed to guide applicants through the process for all plan sealing applications. The pre-assessment process will focus on providing the applicant with as much up front information as possible for lodging Standard Format Plan Sealing applications and gaining compliance with conditions.

If you submit an application with all information identified in the pre-assessment, the City commits to providing a decision within 10 business days.

For further details on the process, including downloading the application kit, high level end-to-end process flow and an example of a completed Compliance Report, please see cityofgoldcoast.com.au/plansealing

The City is conducting a review of the pavement design standards required under the City Plan Land Development Guidelines (City Plan LDG’s).

The review will consider a number of issues including the costs associated with pavement construction; whole of life costs to ensure the standards do not result in an unacceptable maintenance burden on Council; and whether the design standards are comparable with the requirements of other local governments in South East Queensland.

Until the current review of the pavement design requirements under the City Plan LDG’s is complete and any consequential amendments have commenced:

• The City will apply the most recent version of Planning Scheme Policy 11 – Land Development Guidelines pavement design requirements to permissible change requests where the existing development approval currently requires compliance with the City Plan LDG’s pavement design requirements.

• The City will condition future development approvals to require compliance with the most recent version of Planning Scheme Policy 11 – Land Development Guidelines pavement design requirements.

These interim requirements will take effect immediately. Applicants who have existing development approvals that require compliance with the pavement design requirements in the City Plan LDG’s may submit a permissible change request at their earliest convenience.

It is presently expected that Council will consider whether to adopt amendments to the existing City Plan LDG’s in response to the review in the second half of 2017. Any proposed amendments to the City Plan LDG’s will follow the process required under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 which includes public notification requirements.

It is envisaged that once the City Plan LDG pavement review is complete and any consequential amendments are adopted all future applications (including OPW applications) submitted after commencement will be conditioned to comply with the revised City Plan LDG requirements. Council will provide further details about the transitional arrangements closer to the date of commencement of any proposed changes.

City officers have received queries on determining the level of assessment for boundary realignments – that is, rearranging the boundaries of a lot that does not result in any additional lots being created. Accordingly, the following advice is provided:

Under City Plan section 5.6 Levels of assessment - Reconfiguring a lot, Table 5.6.1, the types of reconfiguring a lot that are code assessable includes:

Any reconfiguring a lot that…: (a) rearranges the boundaries of a lot and results in no additional lots…

In this table, any of the types of reconfiguring a lot that are listed under the code assessment heading qualify as being code assessable. This level of assessment is provided across all zones. The minimum lot size does not apply to boundary realignments.

The assessment criteria is also provided in this table. It is important to note that applicants will still need to demonstrate compliance with the applicable criteria. That is, the code assessable level of assessment does not negate the need to demonstrate compliance with the lot design requirements in the applicable zone code.