Planning & Regulation (P&R) - 19 May 2026

Topics

• Council backs no new proactive e-mobility enforcement funding while raising law concerns
  The committee supported the State’s proposed e-mobility law changes but declined to progress targeted enforcement funding, while pressing for changes to licensing, age limits and footpath speeds.
  Residents will want to know whether e-bike and e-device enforcement is changing and who will police it.
• Homelessness and illegal camping compliance funding deal pursued for State roads
  Council authorised negotiations with the State for a funding agreement to resource officers dealing with illegal camping and homelessness-related compliance on State-controlled roads and land.
  This could change frontline enforcement arrangements in public spaces and how responsibilities are shared with the State.
• Benowa mixed-use project and 21-unit development both advance with conditions
  The committee approved a mixed-use development at Benowa Gardens and a 21-unit multiple dwelling project, the latter with an added resident-protection condition.
  These approvals affect local planning outcomes, building activity and nearby residents during construction.

Decisions

• E-mobility legislative changes and enforcement approach
  Council noted Queensland’s proposed e-mobility law changes, backed continued support through existing safety forums, endorsed not progressing targeted proactive enforcement funding, and agreed to write to the Minister on licensing, age and footpath speed concerns.
  Affects how e-bikes and personal mobility devices are regulated, and whether more active enforcement is funded in public spaces.
• Local Law Framework Review expanded
  Council noted the project update and revised timetable, and requested that the review also include Local Law No. 1 (Meetings) 2008 and Subordinate Local Law No. 1.1 (Meetings) 2008.
  Could lead to changes in local rules that affect community meetings and council governance processes.
• Illegal camping and homelessness compliance funding
  Council authorised the CEO to negotiate a funding agreement with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to resource City officers for illegal camping and related compliance on State-controlled roads and land, and asked officers to explore similar arrangements with other State entities.
  May change how enforcement and support responses are managed in public spaces and on State land.
• Mixed-use development approved at Benowa Gardens
  Council approved a preliminary approval for a mixed-use development with a variation request under the Planning Act, with amended conditions.
  Affects future development shape and planning outcomes in the Benowa area.
• Multiple dwellings approval with added resident protection condition
  Council approved a development permit for 21 multiple dwellings with amended conditions, including a new requirement for continuity of building services and resident notification.
  Provides extra safeguards for nearby and future residents during construction and service interruptions.

Discussion

• Quarterly appeals report
  Council noted the 1 January to 31 March 2026 appeals report and that the chair did not use delegation DEO1785 to resolve an appeal in that period.
  Shows the level of Planning and Environment Court appeal activity affecting planning decisions.
• Telecommunications facility approval
  Council approved a development permit for a telecommunications facility subject to conditions and property notification.
  Relevant to local communications infrastructure and nearby property owners.
• Transport depot and roadside stall refused
  A development application for a transport depot, low impact industry and roadside stall was recommended for refusal at 546 Burnside Road, Gilberton.
  Affects land use expectations and potential heavy-vehicle or industrial activity at the site.
• New Planning Scheme Program update
  Council noted progress on the New Planning Scheme Program, Local Growth Management Strategy and the Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads neighbourhood framework.
  Signals ongoing long-term planning changes that may affect growth, zoning and future development across the corridor.

Impacts

• Potential changes to e-mobility rules, compliance and safety enforcement in public areas.
• Possible new local law settings that may affect how council meetings and governance rules operate.
• Stronger resourcing for illegal camping compliance on State-controlled roads and land.
• Construction and service continuity protections for residents affected by approved multiple dwelling works.
• Planning outcomes in Benowa, Gilberton and for telecommunications infrastructure may affect local land use and amenity.

Places

• Gold Coast (local government area)
  Broad jurisdiction for the committee decisions and policy updates.
• Benowa Gardens (development area)
  Site of the approved mixed-use development with variation request.
• Benowa (suburb)
  Area associated with the mixed-use development approval.
• Gilberton (locality)
  Location of the refused transport depot, low impact industry and roadside stall application.
• 546 Burnside Road (road/site)
  Address of the refused development application.
• Coolangatta (suburb)
  Referenced in petition-related meeting content and closed-session material.
• Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads corridor (planning corridor)
  Neighbourhood framework update under the New Planning Scheme Program.
• State-controlled roads and land (service area)
  Area targeted by the homelessness and illegal camping compliance funding agreement.

Next

• Write to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads about e-mobility concerns
  After the meeting, once the resolution is actioned
• Bring a further report on e-mobility legislation after Queensland Government announcements
  Future committee reporting cycle
• Negotiate a funding agreement with the Department of Transport and Main Roads for compliance work
  Before returning the agreement to Council for endorsement
• Include meetings-related local laws in the Local Law Framework Review
  During the current review period
• Return building-services continuity and resident-notification conditions for the multiple dwelling approval to the decision notice
  Immediately through the approval conditions

Extract

868 UNCONFIRMED MINUTES PLANNING AND REGULATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY 19 MAY 2026 9:00AM The meeting commenced at 9:05am City of Gold Coast Council Chambers 135 Bundall Road Surfers Paradise 868 Meeting of the Planning and Regulation Committee Unconfirmed Minutes Tuesday 19 May 2026 ORDER OF BUSINESS 1 ATTENDANCE/APOLOGIES .................................................................... 3 2 LEAVE OF ABSENCE ............................................................................... 3 3 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES ................................................................ 3 4 CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS ........................................... 4 4.1 COI - DECLARABLE DU...