Planning

for the Gold Coast: Experiencing the

complexities of planning for sustainable
development

Journal Article
By Matilda Kaveney
ID: S2891872
9th May 2016
Queensland Planner

4017ENV Planning Practicum

Planning for the Gold Coast: Experiencing the complexities of planning for sustainable development

Introduction

In an idyllic changing and sustainable world cities see growth that will form their future
foundations and direction. The role of an urban and environmental planner is to guide
this growth through principles and research to ascertain the methods in which we can
succeed in sustainable growth. As planners how do we prepare our cities for continual
and often rapid expansion whilst ensuring development remains sustainable? The
following article explores how planning for sustainability is both complex and now a
mounting global issue (Hopwood, Mellor & OBrein, 2005). The Gold Coast in
Queensland, Australia is a prime example of the complexities in decision-making seen
by planners. When you first step foot on the Gold Coast you will notice that the vast
coastline is populated by high-rises and small infill development that is the subject of
the now outgoing Gold Coast 2003 Planning Scheme. Through practical and hands on
learnings at the Council of the City of the Gold Coast it has become obvious that the
coastline is facing growth challenges and that the superseding planning scheme City
Plan 2015 seeks to manage this into a sustainable future.

What is a Sustainable City?

How do you plan for sustainability when the world constantly needs to prepare for
change? The UN-Habitat Global Activities Report 2015 identifies the rapid rate of
urbanisation all around the world. In 2008 history was made when the amount of
urbanised population overruled rural settlement populations creating a milestone
marking a new urban millennium (UN Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform,
2015). What does this new urban millennium mean when planning for cities? Since
1990 the number of mega-cities has increased by 18 and houses a total population of
453 million people (UNDP, 2015). Currently more than half the worlds population live
in urban areas with a projected estimate of 65% of the worlds population by 2025
(Shemirani & Hodjati, 2013; UN Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform, 2015).
Globally 21st century cities are challenged by the impacts rapid population growth
presents generating one common goal, creating sustainable urban development
(Forster 2006). Towards the late twentieth century Australias five major capital cities
(Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney) shared a distinct character
comprised of extensive suburbanisation of low density and a high level of car

By Matilda Kaveney

Planning for the Gold Coast: Experiencing the complexities of planning for sustainable development

dependency challenging planners and their efforts to achieve sustainable cities (Forster
2006).
Achieving sustainable development within urban form is one of the most popular
concepts discussed when planning for 21st century cities (Jabareen, 2006). A thematic
analysis conducted by Jabareen in 2006 identified how sustainable development can be
defined and achieved. The analysis recognises seven design concepts: compactness,
sustainable transport, density, mixed land uses, diversity, passive solar design and
greening integrated into sustainable urban forms like neotraditional development, the
urban containment, the compact city and the eco-city (Jabareen, 2006). There are a
number of principles and strategies designed to implement design concepts into cities.
These include but are not limited to urban infill development, Urban Growth
Boundaries (UGBs) and mixed-use zoning all aiming to improve street patterns, block
size and form, lot configuration and public spaces (Jabareen, 2006).

Urban infill development is a regeneration strategy used to intensify greyfield suburbs
(Newton, 2010). This strategy focuses on the redevelopment of existing settlements
rather than potential development areas. The term greyfield refers to obsolescent areas
of a city where current uses are under-capitalised generally within 25km of a city centre
(Newton, 2010). In Australia, there are three major cities Sydney, Melbourne and
Brisbane with a new urban millennium development strategy. These strategies outline
a desired amount of urban regeneration targets represented between 50-70% by
approximately 2030 (Newton, 2010). Melbournes new urban millennium strategy
outlines the predicted 600,000 extra dwellings by 2030 required to accommodate the
estimated population growth (Newton, 2010). Within the strategic plan 53% of the
dwellings are expected to occur in established areas of existing development. Another
strategy that can be effective in containing development within rapidly growing cities is
Urban Growth Boundaries (UGB).
Portland, Oregon is an international leader in urban growth management policy as a
result of its unique, effective UGB structure encouraging very tight zoning to control
urban sprawl (Abbott & Margheim, 2008; Phillips & Goodstein, 2000). The purpose of
an UGB is to contain future urban development and infrastructure within a designated
boundary in an attempt to protect valuable agricultural and environmental areas
By Matilda Kaveney

Planning for the Gold Coast: Experiencing the complexities of planning for sustainable development

(Pacheco & Garcia-Palmares, 2015; Victorian Government 2010). The Victorian

Government emphasizes the need for Australian cities to implement UGBs in order to
sustainably plan for population projections (Victorian Government 2010). Melbournes
sustainable city planning strategies aim to pinpoint zones to increase high density
mixed use structures along significant transport corridors, effectively strengthening
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) at a city scale (Victorian Government 2010). City
scale planning is complex and is generally accompanied by a range of challenges unique
to each city. The Gold Coast in Australia is currently one city experiencing a range of
complex planning issues.

Gold Coast Growth Challenges

The Gold Coast is a desirable place to live with its favourable climate, scenery, beaches
and hinterland (Waltham, Barry, McAlister, Weber, Groth, 2014). Not only is it desirable
to Australians but also international tourist and investors becoming a tourist centre,
however the expansion of the Gold Coast is becoming increasingly worrying as it
threatens all the desirable characteristics it contains. If you are familiar with the Gold
Coast region you may be aware of the 200km City that includes the Gold Coast,
Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast (Spearritt, 2009). The 200km City refers to the almost
constant urbanised coastline that fails to identify any form of segregation between these
three regions/cities. This urban form has resulted from efforts to preserve the
hinterland region negatively affecting coastline regions.

As a local living on the Gold Coast, you dont have to look very far before you can
recognise some of the effects population growth and rapid urbanisation are having on
the citys functionality, connectivity and visual appeal. Urbanisation as an ideal
promotes social and economic development although consequently produces many
problems when infrastructure is not prepared. Issues such as traffic congestion,
concentrations of the population, housing shortages, biodiversity threats, heat island
effects and pollution are all evident consequences of rapid population growth on the
Gold Coast (Shemirani & Hodjati, 2013). Not to mention the additional climate change
threats the city has and will continue to experience as CO2 emissions increase in the
earths atmosphere. If you have ever experienced a strong coastal storm on the Gold
Coast you can picture the devastation of our beaches, flooded low-lying settlements and

By Matilda Kaveney

Planning for the Gold Coast: Experiencing the complexities of planning for sustainable development

devastation to the community. However you may also witness the coastal rejuvenation
strategies and efforts made to ensure the Gold Coast coastline is protected,
strengthening resilience for future weather events (City Plan 2015).

The Gold Coast is disadvantaged in regards to preparing for growth due to its long thin
urban form and efforts to protect hinterland and coastline regions. Consequently
expansion from a centralised inner business district core has become somewhat
impossible resulting in a disjointed and increasingly difficult city to access. So how
could professional planners address and attempt to resolve these issues with constant
pressures to expand and grow? Generally speaking new policy can be a significant
driver in planning and diversifying a city. In this instance the Gold Coast has just
adopted a new Planning Scheme called the City Plan 2015.

Gold Coast City Plan

The new Gold Coast City Plan has adopted what some people may call drastic
approaches to city growth; one example of heated discussion is areas with no
development height limit. Due to the aforementioned characteristics that shape the city,
it terms of expansion what options can the Gold Coast city consider? The new City Plan
has the intentions to increase density and height in what can be best described as
greyfield suburbs serviced by the new light rail or other forms of public transportation,
reducing car dependency whilst increasing inner city living. The City Plan estimates a
need for 130,000 new dwellings and the creation of 150,000 new jobs to support the
expected population growth over the next 20 years (City Plan, 2015). The City Plans
approach to provide these needed dwellings is through infill development within
existing urban areas.

The strategic framework outlines six city shaping themes collectively representing the
policy intent of the City Plan; creating liveable places, making modern centres,
strengthening and diversifying the economy, improving transport outcomes, living with
nature, and a safe, well designed city (City Plan 2015). These themes as a whole are
aiming to enhance the Gold Coast lifestyle whilst ensuring sustainable development
occurs within the existing urban footprint (City Plan 2015). Furthermore the city will
host the 2018 Commonwealth Games providing the city with an opportunity to
By Matilda Kaveney

Planning for the Gold Coast: Experiencing the complexities of planning for sustainable development

economically prosper, rejuvenate and gain international status. This globally recognised
international event can be used as a driver for the city to re-organise, prepare and
enhance functionality, economic prosperity and sustainable practices.

Now on paper the City Plan has all the appropriate measures in place to aim towards
the six city shaping themes outlined in the strategic framework. However,
implementation is always more complex than the generation of ideas. One issue
contemplated over during my experience was that socially Gold Coast residents have
become acustom to the car dependant lifestyle due to a lack of public transportation
supporting city accessibility in the past. Therefore it will not be a question of how
effectively the City Plan can intensify inner living but how social behaviour will change
over time as a result of changes ensued by the City Plan.

My Experience

My practical experience within the Council of the City of the Gold Coasts City Planning,
Development Assessment and Environmental units provided me with a broad picture of
Gold Coast city planning issues of sustainable development, population growth,
environmental protection and infrastructure management. Beginning my experience
shortly after the new City Plan 2015 was adopted saw me engaged in meetings
discussing the impact some development applications may have on the natural and built
environment. A heavily discussed and relevant topic providing complexity under the
new City Plan is the increase in density; its possible impacts on street congestion, noise
levels, amenity and its opportunities increasing economic benefits for the renewal and
upgrades of existing trunk infrastructure.

The Gold Coast has many reasons to remain within the current urban footprint as any
level of sprawl could damage unique ecosystems, segregate development and be costly
to the local economy. The Strategic Framework in the City Plan, which I worked with
extensively throughout my experience outlines ways the city is aiming towards
achieving sustainability with urban renewal, one of the strongest focuses of the City
Plan. The City Plan identifies the need to transform centres and inner city urban
neighbourhoods into sustainable outcomes with areas like the hinterland seeing a
decrease in density provision to draw focus on redevelopment. This urban renewal
By Matilda Kaveney

Planning for the Gold Coast: Experiencing the complexities of planning for sustainable development

strategy is to begin occurring in areas serviced by public transport, with the main focus
of increasing density along the light rail corridor. With only stage 1 completed and
stages 2 and 3 next in line it is a constant challenge to determine where the priority lies
and what steps are required to ensure liveable outcomes. My position in the City
Planning team was to develop methodologies for studies to be undertaken to ensure the
strategic framework outlined in the City Plan is accomplished over the lifespan of the
policy. I believe the adopted City Plan encouraged by the Commonwealth Games will
take off quite dramatically transforming the Gold Coast into a city providing high quality
urban environments that optimise accessibility and provide local and international
economic development opportunities.

Conclusion

With the Gold Coast beginning to settle into its new City Plan it is becoming more
apparent that the works required to develop the Gold Coast into the future are
extensive. With the new City Plan setting its primary sustainable focus on urban
renewal and the containment of urban sprawl we can safely say that the strategy of the
cities planners have to be refined and direct. With the successful completion of the
cities Stage one light rail project we should expect to see urban renewal integrated
throughout the entirety of the current urban footprint transforming the Gold Coast into
a sustainability leader.

City exposure for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in 2018 is seeing the Gold
Coast think about sustainable strategies to develop its infrastructure and industries,
where consideration is also being given by the local council as to what might happen
and how the Gold Coast will manage sustainable growth beyond 2018. The globalised
goal to reach sustainability is vastly emerging as the only way for society to move
forward in order to effectively maintain progression. My time in the Council of the City
of the Gold Coast provided experiences on the frontline that show great support for the
new City Plan and its sustainable goals.

By Matilda Kaveney

Planning for the Gold Coast: Experiencing the complexities of planning for sustainable development

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By Matilda Kaveney