City of Gold Coast
Council - 10 March 2026
Council passed a condolence motion, backed the Local Growth Management Strategy in principle with changes, adopted multiple committee recommendations, and dealt with a major development approval and travel policy changes.
Topics
- Council backs growth strategy overhaul with follow-up planning scheme report
Council gave in-principle support to the city’s growth strategy and required a further report before the new planning scheme is sent for State interest check.
This will influence where and how the city grows, and may change expectations for housing, density and infrastructure. - Palm Beach development approved for 125 dwellings and short-term accommodation
Council approved a major mixed-use project on Sixth Avenue, Palm Beach, after debate and a super majority vote.
The project could affect local traffic, neighbourhood character and construction activity, while adding housing and visitor accommodation. - Council tightens rules on international travel for officers
Council changed its travel policy so international travel by officers now needs Council approval, with only narrow emergency exceptions.
The move increases scrutiny of public spending and could affect how quickly officers can travel for investment attraction or urgent business.
Decisions
- Condolence motion for Ashleigh Haigh
Council passed a motion of condolence and agreed to send a message of sympathy to the Haigh family.
A formal civic acknowledgement with no direct service impact, but of community significance. - Local Growth Management Strategy endorsed in principle
Council gave in-principle support to the Local Growth Management Strategy, endorsed the nine Directions for Growth, required a follow-up report before the new planning scheme is submitted for State interest check, and supported phased engagement and communications.
Shapes future housing, land use and growth planning across the city. - Palm Beach multiple dwellings and mixed-use development approved
Council approved, with conditions, a development permit for multiple dwellings, short-term accommodation, food and drink outlet, shop and office at 6, 8, 10 and 12 Sixth Avenue, Palm Beach.
Directly affects development intensity, local traffic, amenity and construction activity in Palm Beach. - International travel approvals tightened for City officers
Council changed the travel recommendation so all international travel by City officers, including the CEO, must be approved by Council, with limited urgent exceptions.
Affects oversight of officer travel and council spending accountability.
Discussion
- Mayor's overseas mission and commercial discussions
The Mayor’s report covered Olympic and film-industry related engagements in Europe and the USA, including discussions connected to commercial negotiations and future investment attraction.
Relevant to economic development and international promotion of the city. - Monthly financial and operational committee reports adopted
Council adopted a range of committee recommendations covering planning, governance, lifestyle, economy, water, waste and energy, including monthly financial reporting and forward planning schedules.
Supports ongoing delivery of council services and budget oversight. - Waste education progress noted, recycling target gap highlighted
A motion to request benchmarking and examples of non-punitive recycling initiatives was lost during the Water, Waste and Energy item, leaving only the program progress noted.
Impacts future waste education and recycling performance efforts.
Impacts
- Future planning controls and growth settings may change under the Local Growth Management Strategy and new planning scheme process.
- Palm Beach residents near Sixth Avenue can expect approved higher-density and mixed-use development activity.
- Council oversight of international officer travel has been tightened, increasing scrutiny of spending and approvals.
- Waste and recycling policy pressure remains, but no new benchmarking report was ordered after the motion was lost.
Places
- Palm Beach
Site of the approved multiple dwellings and mixed-use development at Sixth Avenue. - Sixth Avenue
Street address for the approved development in Palm Beach. - Gold Coast
Council-wide growth strategy, planning scheme work, committee reports and civic decisions. - Bundall Road
Location of the City of Gold Coast Council Chambers where the meeting was held. - Surfers Paradise
Council chambers location in Surfers Paradise.
Next
- Present a further report on Local Growth Management Strategy updates before the new planning scheme is submitted for First State Interest Check
Before submission to Queensland State Government - Prepare a report on LGMS update frequency and governance framework
Within 12 months of commencement of the new planning scheme - Implement the approved development permit conditions for 6, 8, 10 and 12 Sixth Avenue, Palm Beach
Following council approval - Apply the new international travel approval requirements for City officers
Immediately after the meeting's resolution - Continue phased engagement and communications for the Local Growth Management Strategy
Ongoing
Extract
865 CONFIRMED MINUTES COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY 10 MARCH 2026 10:00AM Meeting commenced at 10:02am City of Gold Coast Council Chambers 135 Bundall Road Surfers Paradise TIM BAKER Chief Executive Officer Tuesday 10 March 2026 ORDER OF BUSINESS Opening Prayer Australian National Anthem 1 ATTENDANCE/APOLOGIES .................................................................... 4 2 LEAVE OF ABSENCE ............................................................................... 4 3 CONDOLENCES ....................................................................................... 5 3.1 CONDOLENCE MOTION - MR ASHLEIGH (ASH) HAIGH ..................... 5 4 MAYORAL MINUTE ...............................