Planning & Regulation (P&R) - 17 March 2026

Topics

• Gold Coast backs heat-resilient design guidance for future homes
  Council has endorsed a new non-statutory guideline that will shape heat-resilient residential design and inform the next planning scheme.
  The guidance could influence how new homes address heat exposure, comfort and climate resilience.
• New planning scheme to absorb HOTA, The Spit, Mudgeeraba and Robina plans
  Council has selected major precincts and four station neighbourhoods for integration into the new planning scheme.
  The decision may affect future development capacity, land-use controls and neighbourhood change in several high-growth areas.
• Proposed floodplain planning instrument targets Guragunbah development
  Council is seeking State approval for a temporary planning instrument governing development in the Guragunbah floodplain from 1 September 2026.
  The instrument could materially change development assessment and flood-risk controls in the affected area.

Decisions

• Heat Resilient Design Guideline endorsed
  Council endorsed the guideline as a non-statutory document for heat-resilient residential development and as input to design provisions in the new planning scheme. The Chief Executive Officer may make minor administrative and editorial changes.
  The guideline is intended to support cooler, more heat-resilient homes and influence future planning rules.
• New Planning Scheme program advanced
  Council noted progress on the New Planning Scheme Program and Local Growth Management Strategy. HOTA Master Plan, The Spit Master Plan, Mudgeeraba Village and Robina were endorsed for integration as Local Plans. Station neighbourhood concept plans for Nobby Beach, Miami North, Christine Avenue and Second Avenue were also endorsed for integration, with officers authorised to finalise the remaining Broadbeach-to-Burleigh Heads neighbourhood framework work.
  Future development controls and neighbourhood planning for these areas will be shaped through the new planning scheme.
• Guragunbah floodplain temporary planning instrument proposed
  Council resolved to make and submit Temporary Local Planning Instrument No. 13, covering development in the Guragunbah floodplain, to the State planning minister for consideration and approval. The proposed instrument is intended to take effect from 1 September 2026, subject to approval.
  The instrument may change development controls and assessment requirements in the Guragunbah floodplain.
• Natural Hazards Policy endorsed
  Council endorsed a renamed overarching Natural Hazards Policy and removed references to it being a policy scaffold. The policy will guide planning and policy responses to natural hazards in the new planning scheme.
  Natural-hazard risks such as flooding and other hazards will be considered through a clearer policy framework.
• Residential development at Bilinga approved
  Council approved a development permit for 27 multiple-dwelling units at 66 Pacific Parade and 2A Archer Street, Bilinga, subject to conditions.
  The approval adds a new residential development in Bilinga and may affect nearby residents during construction and occupation.
• 60-dwelling application varied to 54 dwellings
  Council approved, with conditions, a development permit for 54 multiple dwellings. The minutes record that the original recommendation concerned 60 dwellings and that the committee recommendation was changed before adoption. The application location is not identified in the supplied extract.
  The decision permits a reduced number of dwellings compared with the original recommendation, subject to development conditions and property notifications.
• Additional multiple-dwellings and food-outlet development approved
  Council approved, with conditions, a development permit for 94 multiple-dwelling units and food and drink outlets. The location is not identified in the supplied extract.
  The approval may bring new housing and commercial activity, with impacts governed by the permit conditions and property notifications.
• Outdoor dining in parks to be reviewed
  Officers must review the current approach and options for allowing businesses to provide dining in parks adjacent to their premises. A report is due to return to the Planning and Regulation Committee before September 2026.
  The review could affect how businesses use nearby parks and how residents access and share public open space.
• Abandoned shopping trolley local law investigated
  Council will investigate a local law for abandoned shopping trolleys in public spaces, including possible mandatory containment systems, collection arrangements and penalties. The investigation will consider the Ipswich City Council Shopping Trolley Local Law 2018 and similar Queensland approaches.
  A future local law could reduce trolley obstruction and clarify responsibilities for retailers, residents and council.

Discussion

• Animal noise nuisance petition
  Council noted that concerns raised in a petition to review and update animal noise nuisance laws are being addressed through the Local Law Review Project. The lead petitioner is to be advised.
  Petitioners will receive an update, but no immediate law change was made at this meeting.
• Wandering cats petition
  Council noted the petition about impacts of wandering cats on residents, wildlife and property and resolved to notify the lead petitioner of the report outcome.
  No new cat-containment or other immediate regulatory measure was adopted in the supplied extract.
• Station neighbourhood planning
  Concept plans for Nobby Beach, Miami North, Christine Avenue and Second Avenue will be integrated into preparation of the new planning scheme.
  Residents and property owners in these areas may be affected by future land-use and transport planning provisions.
• Council planning program follow-up
  Officers are to prioritise Local Area and Neighbourhood Planning projects that support precinct-based transport and land-use outcomes and bring a related project plan to a future committee meeting.
  This may identify future priority planning areas and transport-linked development projects across the city.

Impacts

• Future planning rules will incorporate heat-resilient design and natural-hazard considerations.
• Development controls may change in the Guragunbah floodplain from 1 September 2026 if the State approves the proposed temporary instrument.
• New housing was approved at Bilinga and at two other locations not identified in the supplied extract.
• A review may create new options for businesses to provide outdoor dining in parks beside their premises.
• Council is investigating possible containment, collection and penalty rules for abandoned shopping trolleys.
• Animal-noise petition concerns remain within the broader Local Law Review Project, with no immediate change recorded.

Places

• Bilinga (suburb)
  Location of the approved 27-unit development at 66 Pacific Parade and 2A Archer Street.
• 66 Pacific Parade (road address)
  Development site for the approved 27-unit multiple-dwelling proposal.
• 2A Archer Street (road address)
  Development site for the approved 27-unit multiple-dwelling proposal.
• Guragunbah floodplain (floodplain/project area)
  Area covered by proposed Temporary Local Planning Instrument No. 13.
• HOTA (facility/master-plan area)
  HOTA Master Plan endorsed for integration as a Local Plan in the new planning scheme.
• The Spit (locality/master-plan area)
  The Spit Master Plan endorsed for integration as a Local Plan.
• Mudgeeraba Village (village/planning area)
  Area endorsed for integration as a Local Plan.
• Robina (suburb/planning area)
  Area regulated by the Robina Central Planning Agreement and endorsed for integration as a Local Plan.

Next

• Submit proposed Temporary Local Planning Instrument No. 13 and supporting material to the State planning minister.
  Before the proposed 1 September 2026 commencement, subject to State approval.
• Finalise the Neighbourhood Framework for remaining Broadbeach-to-Burleigh Heads station neighbourhoods.
  During preparation of the new planning scheme; no specific date stated.
• Prioritise local area and neighbourhood planning projects supporting transport and land-use outcomes and bring a project plan to a future committee.
  Future committee meeting; date not stated.
• Notify the lead petitioners about the animal-noise and wandering-cat petition outcomes.
  Following the meeting; no specific date stated.
• Review options for outdoor dining in parks adjacent to businesses and report back.
  Before September 2026.
• Investigate a local law for abandoned shopping trolleys, including containment, collection and penalties.
  No specific date stated.

Extract

866 CONFIRMED MINUTES PLANNING AND REGULATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY 17 MARCH 2026 9:00AM Meeting commenced at 9:03am City of Gold Coast Council Chambers 135 Bundall Road Surfers Paradise 866 Meeting of the Planning and Regulation Committee Confirmed Minutes Tuesday 17 March 2026 ORDER OF BUSINESS 1 ATTENDANCE/APOLOGIES .................................................................... 3 2 LEAVE OF ABSENCE ............................................................................... 3 3 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES ................................................................ 3 4 CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS ........................................... 4 5 COMMITTEE FORWARD PLANNIN...