Raising the Bar: What’s Next for Gold Coast Property?

WORDS: Gabrielle Kenworthy PHOTOGRAPHY Brian Usher - [email protected]

Inside the High-Stakes Conversation Driving the Region’s Future Growth

As the Gold Coast grapples with rapid growth, constrained housing supply and the countdown to the 2032 Olympic Games, the third edition of Ocean Road’s Around the Table Property Forum brought together leading minds across planning, development and investment for a high-level exchange of ideas.

Hosted at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, the exclusive event unfolded over an afternoon of fine dining and expansive city views, setting the stage for a timely, solutions-driven discussion.

THE GUESTS

Mark Hammel – Division 1 Councillor, Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Planning & Regulation Committee

Kevin Zhang – Sales and Marketing Director, MRCB International

Daniel Faigen – Director of Hirsch & Faigen

Hon. Will Hodgman – Chair of Invest Gold Coast (ex-Premier of Tasmania 2020-2024)

Mrs Rebecca Young – Assistant Minister to the Deputy Premier and for Planning, Housing and Better Regulation

Paul Riga – Director of Urbis

Patrick Hefferan – Director of Urbis

Matthew George – Director of Urban Activation

Robert Badalotti – CEO of Azzura Investments Limited

Steve Hunt – Founder and CEO of Media Hunt

Gabrielle Kenworthy – Account Director of Media Hunt

Annie Hourahane – Account Executive of Media Hunt

Jason Paris – Sales Director of Raine & Horne

Alex Wood – CEO of Bastion Property Group

Pip Wood – Marketing Manager of Bastion Property Group

Ron Bakir – CEO of Homecorp Property Group

David McMahon – Chief Operating Officer of Homecorp Property Group

James Nikiforides – Sales and Marketing Director Niecon

William Nickiforides – Managing Director of Niecon

Andrew Erwin – Director of NPA Projects

Brian Usher – Managing Director of Ocean Road

Steve Hunt – Founder and CEO of Media Hunt

Gabrielle Kenworthy – Account Director of Media Hunt

Annie Hourahane – Account Executive of Media Hunt

THE VENUE

This year’s Around the Table Property Forum returned to the 21st floor of RACV Royal Pines Resort, with discussions taking place in the private dining room of Videre Restaurant – a space known for its panoramic views across the Gold Coast skyline and hinterland. The setting provided a relaxed yet elevated backdrop for high-level conversation among industry leaders.

Guests enjoyed a tailored menu that featured contributions from Arakawa, the resort’s signature Japanese restaurant. Known for its refined approach to sushi, sashimi and teppanyaki, Arakawa brings together traditional technique and modern presentation, adding a distinctive culinary highlight to the afternoon.

RACV Royal Pines continues to evolve its offering for high-end business and lifestyle events, combining best-in-class hospitality with a growing focus on flexible conferencing, elevated menus and standout venues such as Videre and Arakawa.

THE MENU

Appetiser

Ikura caviar, salmon puri, yuzu tamari ponzu 

Entrée

Hiramasa kingfish, negi miso, white soy dashi, seaside herbs, Aleppo oil

Main

Grass-fed beef tenderloin, miso hummus, wasabi jus, charred cabbage salad

Dessert

Matcha ice cream craquelin choux bun, hot matcha latte 

Beverages

Mumm Tasmania

Sons of Eden Freya Riesling

PHI Chardonnay

PHI Grenache Amphora

Bethany First Village Shiraz

Byron Bay Lager

Stone & Wood Pacific Ale

Boags Light

Heineken Zero 

THE CONVERSATION

The forum was opened by Steve Hunt, Founder and CEO of Media Hunt Communications, who once again led a high-calibre discussion on the most pressing issues facing the Gold Coast property sector.

The afternoon commenced with an in-depth presentation from Paul Riga, Director of Urbis, who set the scene with a detailed overview of the latest Gold Coast market data. Riga noted that while the median price for new apartments on the Gold Coast remains close to $2 million, the first quarter of 2025 showed promising signs, with 209 new apartment sales recorded and a modest return of new supply to the market.

However, Riga cautioned that this activity conceals deeper challenges. He pointed to the persistent shortfall in new dwellings, highlighting that the city needs approximately 6,000 new apartments each year to keep pace with demand, a figure that far exceeds the 2,500 to 3,000 forecast to be delivered in the coming years.

He also revealed that average project timeframes have significantly lengthened, with developments now taking between 5.5 to 7.5 years from application to completion, up from just 3 to 4 years five years ago. Many approved high-density projects are unlikely to proceed in their current form, and Riga warned that this would disproportionately affect the delivery of more affordable one- and two-bedroom homes.

Despite these headwinds, he emphasised the continued strength and renewed government attention ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.

Division 1 Councillor, Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Planning & Regulation Committee, Cr Mark Hammel, responded by acknowledging the urgency of the housing situation and called for a shift in mindset. He noted that the Gold Coast is no longer in a position to simply “shut the gate”, and that local government must be prepared to support growth with more flexible and commercially viable planning outcomes.

Hammel outlined the Council’s work to reframe the public conversation around growth through the ongoing local growth management strategy, which has successfully broadened community understanding of the need for more housing options across the city.

He called out outdated planning restrictions, such as the minimum 600swm lot size in many suburbs, as among the key barriers to supply, and argued for a more proactive approach to enabling light-frame, slab-on-ground construction in established areas with existing infrastructure.

Cr Hammel cited Sherpa’s recently approved Flourish development in Palm Beach as a clear example of how quality, attainable product can be delivered in desirable locations.

Hammel reiterated that housing supply should not be confined to coastal towers alone – rather, that well-located, medium-density development in inland centres would be essential in bridging the gap over the next decade.

The discussion was further enriched by insights from Kevin Zhang, Sales and Marketing Director of MRCB International, who spoke to the strong fundamentals driving the company’s continued focus on the Gold Coast. He said projects like 26 Vista and Maris in Southport are seeing exceptional buyer demand, particularly for more affordable stock, and stressed the importance of planning certainty and timely approvals to support offshore investment decisions.

The Hon. Will Hodgman, Chair of Invest Gold Coast and former Premier of Tasmania, called for long-term vision and closer alignment between all levels of government to ensure the city can capitalise on Olympic-led growth and deliver meaningful infrastructure outcomes.

Daniel Faigen, Director of Hirsch & Faigen, closed the panel with a clear message on feasibility. He cautioned that planning frameworks must reflect market realities, noting that delays, rising costs and inflexible zoning continue to challenge delivery – and that more responsive, commercially minded policy is urgently needed.

The Ocean Road Around the Table forum once again delivered a spirited and solution-focused exchange between policymakers, developers and advisors, reinforcing the importance of open dialogue and aligned ambition in unlocking a more resilient, equitable and forward-thinking property market for the Gold Coast.