Planning & Regulation (P&R) - 21 April 2026

Topics

• Gold Coast backs place-based response to homelessness and illegal camping
  Council has endorsed a new place-based homelessness management process and a review of parking restrictions in priority public spaces.
  The approach could change how people experiencing homelessness and illegal camping are handled in public areas, while adding a 12-month accountability report.
• Beachside dining trial delayed as Gold Coast seeks two-location proposal
  Council deferred a decision on beachside dining and requested a future report on a trial limited to two locations.
  Surf clubs, visitors, nearby residents and hospitality businesses are waiting to learn whether beachside dining will proceed and where.
• Six-unit Coolangatta development approved despite height, density and streetscape objections
  Council approved six units at 41 Binya Avenue after a motion to refuse the proposal was lost.
  The decision has direct implications for local character, housing density, site coverage and neighbouring privacy.

Decisions

• Homelessness management approach endorsed
  Council endorsed a place-based management approach for people experiencing homelessness, including stronger liaison with government and specialist homelessness partners. It also supported reviewing parking restrictions at priority public spaces to mitigate illegal camping and requested a 12-month progress report.
  May affect how homelessness, illegal camping and support services are managed in priority public spaces.
• Beachside dining decision deferred
  The beachside dining item was deferred to the 5 May 2026 Full Council meeting. A further report is to be presented to the Economy, Tourism and Events Committee on a trial limited to two locations, and future applications are to return to Council.
  Residents, surf clubs, visitors and nearby businesses will not have a final citywide beachside dining decision until later consideration.
• Six-unit development approved at Coolangatta
  Council approved, with conditions, six multiple dwellings at 41 Binya Avenue, Coolangatta. The conditions include fixed external battens on eastern upper-level windows to address privacy concerns.
  The approval will affect the local streetscape, housing supply, density and neighbouring residents' privacy.
• Twenty-unit development change approved at Palm Beach
  Council approved an amended change to the existing approval for 20 dwellings at 440-442 The Esplanade, Palm Beach. Bedroom windows must include fixed obscure glazing with a maximum of 50 per cent transparency for their full height.
  The decision affects the approved building and privacy protections for nearby properties.
• Place of worship approved at Ormeau
  Council approved a place of worship and caretaker's accommodation at 9 Vaughan Drive, Ormeau, with conditions limiting the site to 40 people at any one time and operating hours of 5:00am to 9:30pm Monday to Saturday.
  Nearby residents may experience activity, traffic and operating impacts subject to the attendance and hours limits.
• Telecommunications facility decision deferred
  The application for a telecommunications facility at 45 Trentbridge Court, Mount Nathan, was deferred to the 19 May 2026 Planning and Regulation Committee meeting.
  The application remains unresolved and will be considered at a later public meeting.

Discussion

• Saltwater Creek erosion petition
  Council noted a petition about erosion management works along Saltwater Creek, Helensvale. It advised that the State Assessment and Referral Agency is the concurrence agency for prescribed tidal works and that the Peninsula Estate body corporate should contact SARA directly.
  Residents concerned about creek-bank erosion have been directed to the state agency responsible for the relevant approval pathway.
• New planning scheme program
  Council noted progress and policy work for the New Planning Scheme and endorsed the programme's scope overview and detailed scope table.
  The programme will shape future planning rules and development assessment across the Gold Coast.
• Development approval compliance conditions
  The meeting material included standard but potentially costly development obligations covering infrastructure repairs, stormwater protection, surveys, construction levies and outstanding Council rates or charges before specified approvals or subdivision steps.
  Applicants and property owners may face additional compliance, protection and payment requirements before development can proceed.

Impacts

• Homelessness responses and management of illegal camping in priority public spaces may change, with a 12-month review report planned.
• Beachside dining remains undecided pending Full Council and committee consideration of a two-location trial.
• Approved developments in Coolangatta, Palm Beach and Ormeau may affect housing, streetscape, privacy, traffic and local activity.
• The Mount Nathan telecommunications application remains pending until the 19 May 2026 committee meeting.
• Residents involved in the Saltwater Creek erosion petition must engage with SARA through the Peninsula Estate body corporate for prescribed tidal works matters.
• Future planning rules may be influenced by the endorsed scope of the New Planning Scheme program.

Places

• Coolangatta (suburb)
  41 Binya Avenue: approved six-unit multiple dwelling development.
• Palm Beach (suburb)
  440-442 The Esplanade: amended approval for 20 dwellings.
• Ormeau (suburb)
  9 Vaughan Drive: approved place of worship and caretaker's accommodation.
• Mount Nathan (suburb)
  45 Trentbridge Court: telecommunications facility application deferred.
• Helensvale (suburb)
  Saltwater Creek erosion petition and prescribed tidal works.
• Saltwater Creek (waterway)
  Location of proposed or discussed erosion management works.
• Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club (facility)
  Identified as a possible initial beachside dining trial location.
• Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club (facility)
  Identified as a possible initial beachside dining trial location.

Next

• Present a report on the place-based homelessness management approach to the Planning and Regulation Committee.
  After 12 months
• Reconsider the beachside dining matter at the Full Council meeting.
  5 May 2026
• Present a report on a proposed two-location beachside dining trial to the Economy, Tourism and Events Committee.
  Future committee meeting; date not specified
• Reconsider the Mount Nathan telecommunications facility application.
  19 May 2026 Planning and Regulation Committee
• Advise the chief petitioner about the Saltwater Creek decision and request that other petitioners be informed.
  Following the meeting
• Peninsula Estate body corporate to contact SARA about erosion management measures along Saltwater Creek.
  Next step; date not specified

Extract

867 CONFIRMED MINUTES PLANNING AND REGULATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY 21 APRIL 2026 9:00AM The meeting commenced at 9:06am City of Gold Coast Council Chambers 135 Bundall Road Surfers Paradise 867 Meeting of the Planning and Regulation Committee Confirmed Minutes Tuesday 21 April 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 PLA...