FAQs - Growth and Density
gentle residential housing such as duplexes, terraces and townhouses
mid-rise apartments in well located areas
higher density housing in major centres and parts of the coastal corridor.
families
downsizers
younger residents
key workers.
redeveloping underused land
adding more homes on large residential lots
building housing near centres, transport and services.
make better use of existing infrastructure
provide more housing choice in established communities
reduce pressure to expand the urban footprint.
The Gold Coast is already growing too fast. Why does the Council have a population target of 1 million people by 2046?
Population projections prepared by the Queensland Government indicate the Gold Coast could reach around one million residents by 2046. The LGMS does not set this target. Instead, it helps the city plan for this growth so it can be managed in a coordinated and sustainable way.
I’m worried about how our city will handle so many new residents. Why is the Council pushing high-rise development?
The LGMS does not propose new high-rise areas beyond those already planned under the current City Plan. Its focus is on providing more housing choice across the city.
This includes:
Is the LGMS putting most new growth in the northern suburbs and coastal areas?
The LGMS does not direct most growth to one or two parts of the city. Historically, much of the Gold Coast’s growth has occurred along the coastal corridor and in the northern suburbs. One goal of the LGMS is to rebalance this pattern. Testing in the LGMS Technical Report shows the strategy could shift around 22,000 dwellings away from the coastal corridor and into the City Spine by 2046. This creates more housing opportunities in inland centres and transport corridors, such as Nerang, Robina and Helensvale, where infrastructure, jobs and services already exist. Planning growth in these areas helps spread growth more evenly across the city and make better use of existing infrastructure. Detailed decisions about where growth may occur will be confirmed through the new Planning Scheme.
Are high-rises being introduced into new suburban areas?
No. The LGMS does not propose new high-rise areas in suburban neighbourhoods. High-rise buildings will continue to be concentrated in locations that already support this type of development, such as major centres and parts of the coastal corridor (such as Southport, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Coolangatta.
In suburban areas, the focus is generally on gentle residential housing, or medium-rise housing opportunities in particularly well-located areas. These housing types help provide more housing choice while remaining compatible with surrounding neighbourhoods. Detailed building heights and where different housing types may occur will be confirmed through the new Planning Scheme.
I’m really worried about taller buildings changing our suburbs - are Coomera, Helensvale, or Robina going to see more high-rise development?
No. The LGMS does not propose new high-rise areas in Coomera or Helensvale beyond what is already planned in the current City Plan. In Robina, most growth opportunities reflect existing planning settings, including development already anticipated under the Robina Central Planning Agreement. High-rise buildings will continue to be focused in locations that already support this type of development, such as major centres and parts of the coastal corridor. Detailed building heights and where different housing types may occur will be confirmed through the new Planning Scheme.
Will our parks, the only open spaces we have, be gone to build these homes?
No. The LGMS does not propose removing existing parks to build housing. Direction 5 of the LGMS is for planning to support a connected network of open space that is accessible, multi-functional and integrated into neighbourhoods.
I live in an established suburban neighbourhood - should I be worried about big changes or taller buildings coming to my area?
No. Most established suburban neighbourhoods are not expected to see significant change. The LGMS focuses new housing in centres, transport corridors and well-located areas that can support growth. In most suburban areas, any change would be small-scale, such as gentle residential housing. These homes are designed to fit within existing neighbourhoods and provide more housing choice. Detailed planning controls, including building heights and where different housing types may occur, will be confirmed through the new Planning Scheme.
How does the LGMS address the affordable housing crisis?
The LGMS supports a broader mix of housing across the city.
A wider range of homes can improve housing choice and help meet the needs of different households, including:
Housing affordability is influenced by many factors, including construction costs, land supply, market conditions and government policy. Planning for more housing choice helps create better conditions for housing supply over time.
What is ‘infill development’?
“Infill development” means building new homes within existing urban areas, rather than expanding the city into new greenfield land.
This can include:
Infill development helps:
The LGMS focuses on well-located infill opportunities that can support growth while protecting the city’s natural environment and open spaces. Detailed rules about where infill development can occur will be set through the new Planning Scheme.