Further to today’s interest rate announcement that rates will remain steady for another month at 3%, the State Government last week revealed that more than 60% of the Gold Coast will be protected from development under the long-term plan for the region.

Infrastructure and Planning Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031, released today, would ensure future growth is managed sustainably to protect the coast’s unique natural environment and lifestyle.

“This plan strikes a balance between population growth and the need to protect the lifestyle that residents of the coast value and enjoy by guiding development patterns over the next two decades,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“It responds to the key issues facing the south east region, including continued high population growth, traffic congestion, koala protection, climate change and employment generation.

“Crucially, this is a plan to manage growth, not just accommodate it.

“South East Queenslanders have been very clear they want us to protect their open spaces. They simply won’t accept urban sprawl that eats away at the region’s green lungs and impacts on our enviable way of life.”

Mr Hinchliffe said the population of the Gold Coast was expected to increase to 749,000 from the current 466,500 by 2031 – a 60 per cent increase.

“This will require the designated urban footprint to accommodate an estimated 143,000 new dwellings through a combination of infill and broadhectare development,” he said.

“This equates to 19 per cent of the new dwellings needed across South East Queensland, which has been reduced from 22 per cent of new dwellings forecast in the previous plan – easing the development pressure on the coast.

“Infill development predominantly around Southport, Robina, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Coolangatta, Nerang, Helensvale and Bundall will cater for up to 97,000 of these, while broadhectare developments in areas such as Coomera, Hope Island, Pimpama, Ormeau, Maudsland and Reedy Creek are expected to accommodate 32,000 dwellings.

“Overall, settlement patterns will be conducive to good environmental management and will protect key areas such as the Green Heart, the Spit, the coast’s world-famous beaches and hinterland.

“To support this, development will be concentrated around transport hubs, while densities will be at least 15 dwellings per hectare in order to efficiently use land and infrastructure.

“That’s why the Gold Coast Rapid Transit project is so important and infrastructure such as this is crucial to our plan to protect the Gold Coast lifestyle that is the envy of Australia.”

Minister Hinchliffe said the plan would also ensure employment growth would support the expected population increase.

“Historically, the Gold Coast’s economy has been linked to tourism and recreation industries, however, it has diversified and comprises significant commercial, retail and industrial areas, as well as specialist health, education and technology hubs,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“The coast’s Principal Activity Centres at Southport and Robina are expected to expand their roles as commercial, retail, administrative and specialist centres and evolve into integrated, mixed-use centres.

“Tourism will continue to be a significant economic driver, while the local marine industry will grow through an expansion of the Gold Coast Marine Precinct at Coomera and the proposed establishment of a marine industry precinct at Steiglitz.”

Mr Hinchliffe said mitigating the effects of climate change and protecting the region’s koala habitat were also key elements in the plan.

“South East Queensland is one of Australia’s biodiversity hotspots and is renowned for the quality and diversity of its natural environment. The region is home to rich native flora and fauna as well as the largest urban koala population in Australia” he said.

“Overall, this is a plan to ensure that South East Queensland is managed in a sustainable way by reducing the region’s ecological footprint while enhancing its economy and the quality of life of residents.

“The plan will help to protect biodiversity, contain urban development, build and maintain community identity, reduce car dependency and support a prosperous economy.

“In future, our communities will be built and managed using contemporary measures to conserve water and energy and featuring buildings designed to take advantage of our subtropical climate.”

For more information on the regional plan visit www.dip.qld.gov.au or freecall 1800 070 609.