The Coast at a Crossroads

WORDS: Wildcat PHOTOGRAPHY City of Gold Coast -@unsplash

Balancing lifestyle dreams with a growing population and housing pressures on the Gold Coast

One of the great things about living on the Gold Coast is that we locals know it’s the best place in the world, and we’ve always liked that it was our own secret.

As Sinead O’Connor sings, nothing compares to Burleigh Beach at sunset, Currumbin Beach at sunrise, a relaxing restaurant in Broadbeach or the hustle and bustle of Surfers on a Saturday evening. Then there’s the beauty of the hinterland, the magic of one of the theme parks, or simply a stroll along the stunning coastline.

Our little secret was safe for many years, but over the past two decades or so, the Gold Coast has become a magnet for those seeking sun, surf and lifestyle.

It’s evolved from being a retiree haven to a bustling, world-class city with a thriving economy and a “can do” attitude.

Unfortunately, with that extraordinary growth come the growing pains that make life increasingly challenging.

Don’t get me started on the horror show we know as the M1 between the Gold Coast and Brisbane. This would have to be the most frustrating 90km stretch of highway in the country. It is now officially a car park most days, and the commute between Pimpama and the Gold Coast city centre is a joke.

But it’s not just confined to the highways. Most city roads are now choked, especially during peak periods.

With an estimated 20,000 new residents arriving each year, the traffic and infrastructure challenges are real. But the biggest issue of them all is housing affordability.

The median house price on the Gold Coast is now $1.17 million, making it the second most expensive property market in Australia. This is significantly higher than the national average.

Ray White’s chief economist, Nerida Conisbee, says Sydney has the highest median house value at $1.7 million.
“If growth continues at its current rate, the Gold Coast will be at the Sydney median by 2027,” she said.

The median rent is $832 a week, making it the least affordable place in regional Australia.

The SEQ Regional Plan, a State Government planning instrument, estimates that south-east Queensland needs 147,000 new homes before 2035 to keep pace with population and housing demand.

At the current rate, planning authorities estimate they will fall spectacularly short of this number unless planning restrictions and land accessibility issues are confronted.

There are opportunities to grow housing supply in the canefields, but local developers say the real challenge is the coastal strip.

Height restrictions between Main Beach and Palm Beach will always be a controversial topic. However, there is merit in exploring increased heights for residential towers along the spine of the tramway.

To do this, though, it will take political courage and an acknowledgement from leaders that you can’t just sit on your hands and expect the housing crisis to be solved magically.

Sensible, sustainable development is always the key to success in high-growth areas. Of course, environmental considerations must always be taken into account. Resident concerns must also be considered with care.

But the Gold Coast is bursting at the seams. It’s not getting any easier, particularly for young people hoping to buy into the housing or unit market.

Opening up new opportunities is vital. The next decade will be the most challenging in the city’s history when it comes to catering for growth and making the right decisions.

It must be done in a pragmatic and sensible way. Knee-jerk reactions from nervous politicians will not solve the issue.