City of Gold Coast Planning and Development Hub

Our IT system is being enhanced to increase the maximum file size limit to a total of 1000MB per application, when lodging development applications online.

This change will apply to the following application types:

• Material Change of Use (MCU)
• Reconfiguration of a Lot (ROL)
• Southport Priority Development Area (PDA)
• Changed Application (CHA)
• Minor Change (MIN)

Mandatory attachments that can be uploaded to the limit of 1000MB include the development application form, owner’s consent and supporting documents; and non-mandatory attachments include plans and specialist reports/statements.

This substantial increase from the previous limit of 20MB will eliminate the need for our customers to request file sharing links to submit a complete application or send documentation separately to the electronic form.

This system enhancement will also streamline the pre-assessment process by avoiding lengthy delays whilst the Development Assessment Review Team (DART) wait on all the required documentation to commence pre-assessment.

It is now expected, with a 1000MB file size limit, that all online lodgements will be submitted by our external planning partners with all the required legislative documentation.

Application documentation is to be submitted in PDF format, without password protection for forms, owner’s consent, supporting documents, plans and specialist reports.

For further information please refer to How to lodge a development application or contact the DART on 07 5582 9053 or email dart@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

Construction plays a crucial role in the ongoing development of the Gold Coast.

As our population grows, we can expect more buildings to be constructed in populated areas.

This can create noise and vibration impacts for those living, visiting and working nearby. The construction industry needs to respond by appropriately managing noise and vibration issues for basement construction.

Our new Basement Construction Vibration Guideline outlines our requirements for basement vibration management, including a measurable standard of what is acceptable for vibration and how to monitor.

It seeks to balance the need for new construction with reasonable community expectations by encouraging best practice.

Those involved with basement construction are advised to plan projects in accordance with this guideline. This will be referenced in future development conditions for basement construction.

More information: https://new.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Planning-building/Development-applications/Development-application-types/Management-plans

The City of Gold Coast (City) is committed to planning for our ever-growing city, while maintaining the unique character of the suburbs we love. The City is preparing a Neighbourhood Framework (Framework) to guide future planning for the Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads corridor.

Whilst European settlement emerged along the corridor in the 1800’s, a series of coastal villages rapidly grew in the post war era from the 1950’s to form the Gold Coast we enjoy today. In the State Government’s Regional Plan for South East Queensland – ShapingSEQ 2041, the Gold Coast’s population is anticipated to continue to grow at around 15,000 additional people per year until 2041. The goal for future land use planning is to simultaneously accommodate our growing community in balance with the employment, lifestyle, amenity, heritage, natural and landscape values in our local neighbourhoods.

Supporting the unique character of the Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads corridor, the completed Framework will be informed by the community’s values and priorities. This completed Framework will guide planning for the delivery of housing, employment, services, transport, open spaces, and public amenity.

The completed Framework will:

• be informed by community engagement and involvement
• support growth in urban areas to help protect our natural environment
• develop a social infrastructure plan to meet the needs of the future community
• guide a series of Station Neighbourhood Precinct concept plans
• balance opportunities and constraints
• inform and guide future amendments to City Plan
• coordinate and align work in the Station Neighbourhoods.

Have your say by completing a short survey on gchaveyoursay.com.au/NFBB. The survey runs from Tuesday 1 June to Monday 21 June 2021.

Complete the survey for your chance to win a $500 EFTPOS gift voucher (terms and conditions apply).

From 1 September 2021, City of Gold Coast will require contractors performing low-risk water and sewer connection works to be accredited. This change will affect all contractors who currently or would like to undertake this type of works on water and sewer assets.

Why the change?

The current process requires applicants to submit an application for assessment to the City for approval before carrying out live works. The current process can take up to 20 days and, in some instances, multiple information requests before an approval can be given.

It was also identified that in some instances, persons who are responsible for carrying out the works in accordance with the conditions set out in the Decision Notice, do not understand the conditions or are not aware of the conditions and work is commenced without the required approvals.

Waste and Water identified that this process could be streamlined by implementing an accreditation system, whereby contractors are pre-qualified by the City to undertake low-risk water and sewer works.

Changing the current process will address the uncontrolled risks such as construction delays which incurs additional cost to developers and homeowners.

The proposed change will;

• provide greater control of the time and cost associated with connections approvals
• create accountability of all parties
• reward accredited members for good performance and
• create operational efficiencies.

Timing of the change

Any connection application for low-risk connection works lodged on or after 1 September 2021 must be lodged by an accredited contractor.

Further information can be provided to you at your next project pre-start meeting. If you have any queries please contact Executive Coordinator Development Services, Mark Johnson on 07 5582 8939 or Roman Thomas Coordinator Development Services on 07 5582 8313.

In circumstances where it is reasonable to do so, the City will be applying conditions on development applications (Reconfiguring a lot and material change of use) to replace existing water and reline existing sewer assets if asbestos cement, vitrified clay, or other inappropriate materials are located within the frontage of development sites.

This new requirement will generally apply to:

• reconfiguring of lot applications for 10 or more lots
• material change of use applications for 10 or more dwellings
• commercial and industrial developments.

This may also apply to developments where a moderate amount of verge and road work is already required around existing water and sewer assets. Works to replace existing water and reline existing sewerage infrastructure will need to be completed prior to any building or operational works commencing on the site. Water and sewerage connections can be installed as part of replacement/relining works.

These new conditions are designed to ensure replacement of water and sewer assets is undertaken before building works commence to reduce the number of broken mains. Adhering to these new conditions is recognised as critical in maintaining the longevity of our infrastructure network for years to come.

Building over or near water and sewer infrastructure

Developers should familiarise themselves with these requirements when building over or near the City’s infrastructure as additional applications may apply to aspects of their proposed development. Refer to Council’s building over sewer guidelines (https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/documents/bf/building-over-or-near-sewer-infrastructure-guidelines.pdf) to help customers better understand the process relating to building near or over sewerage infrastructure.

The City has identified numerous developments that have not taken into consideration the triggered referral for assessment against the Queensland Development Code (QDC) MP1.4 when building over or near water and sewer infrastructure. Building certifiers should note that the QDC MP1.4 applies to water and sewer assets on a subject lot, on an adjacent lot, and in the road reserve.

The City will be following up with certifiers where this referral appears to have been missed. It will be the responsibility of the certifier to rectify the missed referral and ensure all works are completed in accordance with referral conditions.

Building certifiers please note, ROL, MCU and OPW approvals do not replace the requirement to refer a building application to the City for assessment where building over or near infrastructure. This referral is triggered by the Planning Regulation 2017 and is associated with a building works application. Where a building works application triggers assessment against the QDC MP1.4 and does not comply with the Acceptable Solutions, the building application must be referred to Council for assessment.

The Burleigh Heads Place Making Plan (Plan) is our tool to enhance the iconic Burleigh Heads precinct and its unique lifestyle. The Plan principles are to create and enhance:

• public spaces that are safe, inclusive and equitable
• streets that balance the needs of all users
• public spaces that inspire and foster cultural life
• economic development and environmental sustainability.

These principles aim to build on the strong sense of community that already exists to create a vibrant and memorable place.

The City of Gold Coast (City) has held four workshops with community and business stakeholders to ensure the direction of the Plan reflects what matters most to them. The next stage of Plan development is a community survey to seek feedback on draft project design concepts.

Examples of future projects include: improved streets, safety, seating areas, shared pathways that integrate with revegetation of green space, shade trees and ground cover, designated bike lanes and street artwork with high visual impact.

The City has gathered research to support the Plan, such as an economic baseline study, vehicle and pedestrian movement and counts, user experience, lighting, traffic congestion, parking and accessibility of infrastructure.

Have your say at gchaveyoursay.com.au. The survey is open from 6 to 19 May, 2021.

Complete the survey to go in the draw to win a $500 EFTPOS gift voucher *T&Cs apply.

The final Plan, influenced by community feedback, will shape and inform future decision making and provide a list of priority projects for implementation in the short, medium and long term (post-light rail construction).

Operational works (OPW) applications for vehicle crossings are required when a standard vehicle crossover license cannot be obtained.

The City of Gold Coast’s (City) assessment of these applications ensures that proposed driveways and vehicular crossings construction meets the City’s standards.

These standards include, but are not limited to:

• The provision of safe access for vehicles from the road reserve to the property
• Maintaining a safe environment for pedestrians
• Retaining trees and green spaces for the City
• Preserving the amenity of the area
• Preventing loss of on-street car parking spaces
• Protecting utility services

The City has developed the OPW for vehicle crossovers guideline to assists applicants with the preparation and lodgement of their OPW applications.

If you intend to construct a new vehicle crossing from a City-controlled road or modify an existing vehicle crossing where the road is a City-controlled road, approval by City of Gold Coast (City) is required.

A vehicle crossing can either be a standard or non-standard. The correct vehicle crossing approval must be in place prior to the commencement of building works.

Standard vehicle crossings are accepted development subject to requirements under the City Plan. These vehicle crossings meet the standard design requirements (such as width, grade and separation) specified in the City Plan. Standard vehicle crossings do not require a development permit under the City Plan, but do need a local law licence approval from the City.

A vehicle crossing which does not meet the standard requirements as outlined in Table 9.4.2-2 of the City Plan is a non-standard vehicle crossing. A non-standard vehicle crossing is assessable development under the City Plan.

Please refer to the Vehicle Crossover Approvals Factsheet, which provides applicants and residents with guidance to ensure they have the correct vehicle crossing approval in place.

We recently asked for feedback on proposed changes to the Gold Coast City Plan (City Plan).

We are proposing further refinements to the Our City Our Plan amendment package to provide greater clarity and simplify implementation through the City Plan. These refinements build on the changes made as a result of feedback received during the first three rounds of public consultation and incorporate suggested improvements from scenario testing.

In addition to these refinements, we are also proposing to reinstate the critical corridors component of the Environmental significance – biodiversity areas overlay map. This will allow us to reconsider the proposed changes in light of new information and feedback received from the community before proposing amendments.

You are invited to have your say on these changes between 9 March – 8 April 2021 (inclusive).

We have updated our pre-lodgement process as follows:

Pre-lodgement meeting service

The pre-lodgement meeting has been changed to pre-lodgement advice.

The pre-lodgement advice service is about providing specific advice for a development proposal. Depending on the complexity of the development proposal and the matter for which advice is sought, the City may give pre-lodgement advice as a written response, or as part of a pre-lodgement meeting. City officers will determine if a written response is enough or if a pre-lodgement meeting is required.

Pre-lodgement form

In line with re-naming the pre-lodgement process, the pre-lodgement request form is now titled ‘Pre-lodgement advice request’. The contents of this form has also been reviewed and updated.

It is requested all pre-lodgement requests use the new Pre-lodgement advice form

Pre-lodgement meeting minutes

The pre-lodgement meeting minutes template has been reviewed and updated. In line with current practice, minutes will still be ‘live’ and agreed to by all stakeholders at the meeting. You will also still receive a copy of the minutes shortly after the meeting.

At this stage, pre-lodgement meetings will be conducted by teleconference, video or face-to-face meetings. You will be advised of the appropriate discussion approach prior to the meeting. All measures have been implemented to protect the health and well-bring of our staff, customers and community.

Technical pre-lodgement meeting officer

For those of you who regularly use this service, you will be familiar with Amanda Antcliff, our dedicated technical pre-lodgement meeting officer. Amanda will shortly be taking maternity leave and we wish her all the best. We would like to introduce Jillian Rutherford who will be replacing Amanda. Jillian can be contacted on the same telephone number (07 55828 956) and email prelodgementadvice@goldcoast.qld.gov.au