This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
QUEENSLAND Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon has given the green light for the controversial redevelopment of the Arundel Hills Country Club golf course, paving the way for the delivery of at least 650 homes while the bulk of the 67 hectare site will be retained for recreation, open space and conservation.
The club was left abandoned more than two years ago when the owner and operator, Zhongsheng Management, was placed into external administration.
Developers Arundel Estate Developments Pty Ltd put forward a new $150 million master plan that could house about 1,200 people which received strong blowback from the community, and with which Gold Coast Council sided against unanimously earlier this year.
The developers appealed – development application rejected by council is currently before the court – and Scanlon provided for a Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) in June, which has now been approved after 1,856 community submissions were received over July and August. This approval effectively overrides the Council vote and opens a path for the developer to work with Council on moving ahead with the project.
The TLPI, in place for two years, stipulates construction of a minimum of 650 homes – almost double the number of homes in the original development proposal – with a minimum of 20% to be affordable housing.
“The Gold Coast is experiencing housing challenges as regional growth, evolving lifestyles and household structures continue to drive demand for diverse and affordable homes,” the Queensland government said.
It said that to effectively meet demand, the Gold Coast needs over 6,000 new dwellings each year. In 2023, 4,771 residential dwellings were approved by the Council, which represented a 16% decrease from the previous year.”
“I have stepped in after council rejected a housing estate proposed for the site which fell short of the government’s minimum expectations to fully utilise this land for more affordable housing,” Scanlon said.
“There aren’t enough homes for our key workers, or young renters and ageing Gold Coasters.
“My decision on the Arundel TLPI means we can seize an opportunity to unlock land we have available to deliver hundreds more homes close to infrastructure and services.”
The Arundel site is close to shops, schools and key infrastructure including public transport networks and existing infrastructure.
Under the TLPI over 60% of the site will be retained for recreation, open space and conservation.
The former country and golf club will be divided into five precincts. Two of these will be residential precincts that encourage a mix of low-rise and medium density housing types including single houses, duplexes, townhouses and units.
A third will be preserved for public access, sport and recreation, while the fourth and fifth precincts are preserved for open space and conversation purposes to protect and rehabilitate koala habitat and ensure wildlife conservation.
The City of Gold Coast has up to two years to embed the TLPI in its planning scheme.
