The Department of Infrastructure and Planning - in conjunction with the Gold Coast City and Logan City councils - is undertaking a strategic land use, economic development and infrastructure study for North East Gold Coast.

The first stage of the study is the release of the issues and options paper ( 473 KB) and related maps for consultation. Submissions have closed on 11 September 2008.

Background 

The 17,250 hectare study area - also referred to as Rocky Point  - is located between Greater Brisbane and the Gold Coast. It is bordered by the Logan River to the north, the Pacific Motorway (M1) to the west, the boundary of the urban footprint (near Yawalpah Road and McCoys Creek) to the south, and southern Moreton Bay to the east.

The intention - as outlined in the SEQ Regional Plan - is to retain most of the study area for rural uses (sugarcane production is currently the predominant activity). However, there are a number of competing land uses in the study area, including sand extraction, the potential expansion of the marine industry around Steiglitz, and the expansion of industrial areas near the M1 motorway.

Objective

The objective of the study is to develop a land use strategy that identifies the best possible balance between competing land uses in the study area; and a supporting infrastructure strategy.

The study area also includes the site of the proposed iMETT project. In February 2008 the Coordinator-General declared it a significant project. The declaration requires the project proponents to prepare a detailed environmental impact statement - it does not equate to government support for the project. Assessment of the iMett proposal is a separate statutory process which does not form part of the North East Gold Coast study.

The conflicts between the North East Gold Coast Study area’s competing land uses need to be resolved through the development of long-term land use strategy for the area. The second stage of the study will be the release of draft strategy which is intended to be released in late 2008 for public comment.

The final land use and infrastructure strategies will inform future reviews of, and amendments to, the SEQ Regional Plan, and guide future amendments to the Gold Coast City and Logan City planning schemes.