Planning & Regulation (P&R) - 24 February 2026

Key decisions

• Palm Beach mixed-use and accommodation project approved
  Council approved, with conditions, a development permit for impact-assessable multiple dwellings, short-term accommodation, food and drink outlet, shop and office at 6, 8, 10 and 12 Sixth Avenue, Palm Beach, comprising 125 dwellings and 125 short-term accommodation dwellings.
  This may affect local housing, visitor accommodation, traffic, neighbourhood character and commercial activity in Palm Beach.
• Local Growth Management Strategy endorsed
  Council endorsed the Local Growth Management Strategy, noted its technical report and community engagement outcomes, and confirmed it is a strategic non-statutory document to inform current and future planning schemes.
  This strategy will shape long-term growth planning across the city and guide how future planning rules are developed.
• Further review of growth strategy required after new planning scheme starts
  The changed recommendation requires an update report within six months of the new planning scheme commencing, including updates reflecting endorsed policy positions and a proposed frequency and governance framework for future strategy updates.
  Residents and councillors will have another opportunity to see how growth planning is updated once the new planning scheme is in effect.
• Designing for Flood amendment withdrawn as a standalone process
  Council authorised notification to the Minister of the City's intention to withdraw the separate City Plan major amendment for Designing for Flood, stop work on that amendment, and instead progress flood planning changes through the new planning scheme with revisions to address workability concerns.
  Flood planning changes are still proceeding, but through the broader new planning scheme rather than a separate amendment process.
• Delegated refusal at Main Beach formally noted
  Council noted a report that a development application for 10 multiple dwelling units at 15 Cunningham Avenue, Main Beach, had been refused under delegation on 20 January 2026.
  This confirms a recent residential development proposal in Main Beach did not proceed under delegated assessment.

Important topics

• New Planning Scheme Program update
  The committee noted progress on the new Planning Scheme Program and called for the Executive General Manager to liaise with the Queensland State Planner to organise briefings for state officers, Gold Coast Members of Parliament and divisional councillors, with an update to return to the committee.
  The new planning scheme will affect future development rules citywide, and the briefing process signals continued work before it is finalised.
• Community engagement on growth planning
  'Growth Matters' engagement outcomes were noted, and council supported phased engagement and communications for the Local Growth Management Strategy, including tailored divisional information and messaging created in consultation with councillors.
  Residents can expect further communications about growth planning and how it may affect different parts of the city.
• Close vote on growth strategy
  The changed recommendation on the Local Growth Management Strategy was carried on the Chair's casting vote after a 4-4 division.
  This shows the growth strategy was contested and may remain an area of strong public and political interest.

Resident impacts

• A large approved development at Sixth Avenue, Palm Beach could change local density, tourism accommodation supply and nearby business activity.
• The Local Growth Management Strategy will guide long-term city growth and influence future planning scheme settings.
• Flood-related planning controls are being reworked through the new planning scheme rather than as a separate City Plan amendment.
• Further updates on the growth strategy are due within six months of the new planning scheme commencing.
• Residents may receive more area-specific information as council rolls out divisional communications on growth planning.

Places affected

• Palm Beach (suburb)
  Approval of a major mixed-use, residential and short-term accommodation development at Sixth Avenue.
• Sixth Avenue, Palm Beach (road/address cluster)
  Site of the approved development at 6, 8, 10 and 12 Sixth Avenue.
• Main Beach (suburb)
  Location of the refused 10-unit multiple dwelling proposal at Cunningham Avenue.
• Cunningham Avenue, Main Beach (road)
  Site of the development application refusal at number 15.
• Gold Coast (local government area)
  Growth strategy, new planning scheme and flood planning decisions apply citywide.

Next steps

• Issue the Palm Beach development permit subject to conditions and property notifications.
  Following council approval
• Organise briefings on the proposed new planning scheme with the Queensland State Planner for state officers, Gold Coast MPs and divisional councillors, and report back to committee.
  Future committee update; timing not specified
• Make any minor editorial, graphic and consequential amendments to the Local Growth Management Strategy and Technical Report before launch, keeping a change register available on request.
  Before launch
• Prepare a report updating the Local Growth Management Strategy to reflect endorsed policy positions of the new planning scheme and propose future update governance and frequency.
  Within six months of the new planning scheme commencing
• Notify the Minister of the intention to withdraw the standalone Designing for Flood major amendment and cease work on that amendment.
  Following committee recommendation
• Progress Designing for Flood through the new planning scheme with revisions to address workability concerns.
  As part of the new planning scheme process

Extracted minutes text

865 UNCONFIRMED MINUTES PLANNING AND REGULATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2026 9:00AM Meeting commenced at 9:10am City of Gold Coast Council Chambers 135 Bundall Road Surfers Paradise 865 Meeting of the Planning and Regulation Committee Unconfirmed Minutes Tuesday 24 February 2026 ORDER OF BUSINESS 1 ATTENDANCE/APOLOGIES .................................................................... 3 2 LEAVE OF ABSENCE ............................................................................... 3 3 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES ................................................................ 3 4 CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS ........................................... 3 5 COMMITTEE FORWA...