north east gold coast strategic land use, economic development … · 2015-12-15 · north east...

Consultation report

North East Gold Coast strategic land use, economic development and infrastructure study: Issues and options paper

December 2008

Contents

1.0 Introduction...............................................................................................3 2.0 Consultation program ................................................................................3 3.0 Submission review process ........................................................................4 4.0 Community response..................................................................................4

4.1 Classification of submissions .................................................................5 4.2 Types of submissions .............................................................................5 4.3 Summary of issues raised by submissions ..............................................6

Appendix 1 .......................................................................................................... 10

North East Gold Coast strategic land use, economic development and infrastructure study: Issues and options paper Consultation report - 2

1.0 Introduction The Department of Infrastructure and Planning (DIP) is currently undertaking the North East Gold Coast strategic land use, economic development and infrastructure study (the study). The study is intended to investigate a number of land use and infrastructure issues in the area and inform the review of the Draft South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009–2031 (draft SEQ Regional Plan).

Most of the North East Gold Coast study area is located within the Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area (RLRPA) as identified in the draft SEQ Regional Plan. This land use category identifies land that has regional landscape, rural production or other non-urban values and protects these areas from inappropriate urban development.

The area forms an inter-urban break between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Much of the non-urban land in the area is used for the production of sugarcane.

The draft SEQ Regional Plan also identified an investigation area for possible expansion of marine industries at Steiglitz on the coast.

The study area contains a wide range of values and natural resources that, in combination with its location and relatively large agricultural land holdings, have meant that it has faced a variety of development pressures for many years.

While extensive urban development in the study area would be contrary to the strategic directions in the draft SEQ Regional Plan, there are competing rural and resource uses, including sugarcane production and extraction of sand resources, which need to be resolved.

Additionally, there is a range of other land use pressures in the study area, including expansion of the marine industry and general expansion of industrial areas adjacent to the M1 transport corridor, which need to be resolved through the development of a long-term strategy.

DIP in collaboration with the Gold Coast City Council and Logan City Council prepared an Issues and options paper that provided background information for the study area and establishes strategic directions to guide development of a draft strategy for the area.

A Technical Working Group, comprising representatives from 11 state agencies and two local governments, has been established to provide advice to the DIP project team.

2.0 Consultation program

The Issues and options paper was released on 20 August 2008 for an initial 15 business day consultation period ending on Thursday 11 September. The consultation


period was extended to Monday 15 September 2008, in response to a request by residents and interested stakeholders at a public meeting on 4 September 2008.

period was extended to Monday 15 September 2008, in response to a request by residents and interested stakeholders at a public meeting on 4 September 2008.

The DIP project team collected a list of 48 interested stakeholders and members of the community during the course of the study and provided each with a copy of the Issues and options paper, together with written guidance about the focus of the study.

The DIP project team collected a list of 48 interested stakeholders and members of the community during the course of the study and provided each with a copy of the Issues and options paper, together with written guidance about the focus of the study.

3.0 Submission review process 3.0 Submission review process A submission review process was established to: A submission review process was established to:

consider all formal submissions received in an objective, equitable and fair manner

consider all formal submissions received in an objective, equitable and fair manner

provide guidance and advice to the planning minister in respect to preparing the Draft North East Gold Coast land use and infrastructure strategy.

provide guidance and advice to the planning minister in respect to preparing the Draft North East Gold Coast land use and infrastructure strategy.

All submissions are treated as confidential by DIP and their study partners. Some submitters may choose to make the contents of their submissions public. The submission review process involved six steps.

All submissions are treated as confidential by DIP and their study partners. Some submitters may choose to make the contents of their submissions public. The submission review process involved six steps.

Submission review process

Step 1: Registration of submissions Step 2: Acknowledgment of submissions Step 3: Classification of submissions Step 4: Analysis of submission issues Step 5: Evaluation and response to issues Step 6: Preparation of consultation report

4.0 Community response 4.0 Community response DIP received 87 submissions during the community engagement period. All submissions were registered on a database and given a unique submission number. DIP received 87 submissions during the community engagement period. All submissions were registered on a database and given a unique submission number.

Submissions on the Issues and options paper were received in a number of ways: Submissions on the Issues and options paper were received in a number of ways:

letters or emails to DIP letters or emails to DIP

letters or emails to the Minister’s office (subsequently referred to DIP). letters or emails to the Minister’s office (subsequently referred to DIP).

The requirements for a properly-made submission include: The requirements for a properly-made submission include:

written submissions indicating the name and address of submitter written submissions indicating the name and address of submitter



submission is received within the consultation period

the submission is factual and descriptions of the circumstances relied upon in preparing the submission are described.

The size and complexity of submissions varied and included:

single page, single issue submissions

detailed submissions on a single issue—often requesting a change to the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2005-2026

short submissions with multiple issues

detailed submissions with multiple issues.

4.1 Classification of submissions

Submissions from private individuals (60) made up over 65 per cent of the total received (87). Submissions from business and commercial organisations (15) were nearly 20 per cent of the total, while community organisations (6), state agencies (4) and local government (2) provided the balance of the submissions received. Classification of respondent No of submissions received Private individuals 60 Business or commercial organisations 15 Community organisations 6 State agencies 4 Local governments 2 Total submissions received 87

4.2 Types of submissions Thirty four of the 87 submissions presented a common document and/or used phrasing common to other submissions. The remaining 53 submissions were independent responses.

4.3 Summary of issues raised by submissions There were 8 main issues raised by submissions that included: Topic Issues 1) General planning issues Payments for ecosystem services

The use of more flexible planning tools The alignment and route of transport corridors Land use constraints from the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2005–2006 (SEQ Regional Plan

2005) Alternate land uses and local planning scheme land use controls

2) Biodiversity conservation

Indigenous cultural value sites should have been listed and cultural surveys undertaken in specific areas

Extension of Coomera Woods into Coomera East and McCoys Creek would not be acceptable Support for the preservation of the inter urban breaks The impacts of climate change on flooding and storm surge have been underestimated Protection, enhancement and creation of wildlife corridors (especially for koalas) should be given high

priority Support for the protection of koala habitat especially in the McCoys Creek locality Concerned about continuing industrial development west of the M1 (outside the study area) and its

impacts on environmental values including water quality Support for the importance of retaining the inter-urban break and protecting important environmental

and other values in the study area

3) Urban residential development

Support for including land at Green Meadows into the Urban Footprint Support for including land around Pimpama into the Urban Footprint Support for including land around Jacobs Well into the Urban Footprint Support for including land at Eagleby into the Urban Footprint Support for including land at Coomera into the Urban Footprint


4) LORDS Lutheran school

Support for the proposed Lutheran school The (school) site has in principle support and contributes to open space functions The LORDS proposal should not be affected by good quality agricultural land

5) Community motor sport and outdoor recreation

Support to identify areas for off-road motorcycle and other difficult to locate recreational activities Support for an improved classification of sport and outdoor recreation activities Description of the iMETT proposal should have included reference to a community motor sport precinct Need to purchase additional land for regional sporting purposes within this study area Support for a outdoor sports and recreation precinct in Gold Coast City

6) Marine and other industry

Support for expanding the Green Energy Park around the Rocky Point mill Support for a marine industry precinct located north of Cabbage Tree Point and south of the tidal

wetlands Does not support the loss of high-yielding cane lands to non-agricultural use Support for land (near Steiglitz) which is partly within the Urban Footprint and partly in the

Investigation Area to included in the Urban Footprint for a marine industry cluster Gold Coast Council priority infrastructure area should be expanded to include the Steiglitz land Support for land at Steiglitz be designated for marine industry purposes Support for a sand extraction site on the Logan River be used for marine industry Support for land adjacent to a sand extraction site on the Logan River be used for industrial and marine

infrastructure Support for land on Loves Rd be used for industrial and marine infrastructure Support for expanded industrial use at Steiglitz and Yatala Opposition to the establishment of a marine industry precinct due to environmental impacts (especially

on Moreton Bay and dredging impacts) and flood/storm surge concerns 7) Good quality agricultural land and sugar production

Good quality agricultural land designations are incorrect Dispute about the Department of Natural Resources and Water’s assessment of land suitability Alternate crops (to sugar) are unrealistic All of the Rocky Point sugar industry area should be made available for developers to do as they wish to

benefit the economy and create industrial and further developments


Support for other development options for the rural areas e.g. rural residential and low impact industrial

Support for designating 10 per cent of properties for low-impact industrial land 40 per cent of the of Rocky Point area should be returned to parks and wetlands and the remainder for

marine and rural residential development Support for small acreage blocks for rural residential use Support for using the study area for recreation, an over 50’s resort, marine precinct and industrial land Sugar industry is not viable—cane growers get no payment for ethanol Study should recognize the precarious position of the sugar industry Growing sugar cane is not viable and rural landholders need the opportunity to pursue other land uses Community should pay for ecosystem system services or transferable development rights used instead Proposed ecological corridor to the north of the Pimpama River limiting drainage maintenance

operations Support for identifying the need for detailed studies to assure the area of a productive future Support for an evaluation that includes reshaping and environmental enhancement of the land Land should be designated a ‘Special Planning Area’ in the draft SEQ Regional Plan There should be a total land use review and a new strategic direction for the NEGC cane lands Strong support for the protection of agricultural land close to major urban centres Submits the sugar industry has a good future, believes some cane growers just want a rezoning

windfall East coast land with good rainfall should be protected Concern about the potential impacts of iMETT on the industry Strong support for retention of the sugar industry Increased flooding due to urban development and inadequate cleaning and desilting of drainage

channels Support for using flood control infrastructure to full capacity to handle flood waters Flooding of cane land from development at Jacob Well and Ormeau should be contained



8) Sand extraction

Support for land within KRA65A2 be designated for sand extraction Support for sand mining and use of fill to raise land level Extraction of sand resources should not be constrained by good quality agricultural land or other

considerations Support for land at Jacobs Well Road Norwell be identified as suitable for extractive industry use Concern that sand resources may be compromised by incompatible land uses Concern that the sand resource estimates within the Issues and options paper may be misleading due

to need for buffers, roads, environmental areas and plant and stockpiles

Appendix 1 Response to issues raised by submissions on the Issues and options paper. Key issues Response 1. General planning Study could highlight the multiple values of agriculture in the study

area. The draft Land Use and Infrastructure Strategy (draft

strategy) refers to ecosystem services and other landscape values associated with agricultural land uses in sufficient detail given strategic nature of study.

Promote flexible land use planning framework and use of complementary non-statutory policy and tools (adjustment, research, extension services etc).

The draft strategy is limited to land use and infrastructure matters. Will not preclude use of other tools as deemed appropriate by relevant agencies.

Need for further investigation into alternative agricultural options to sugarcane.

Where appropriate these comments have been included in the introductory sections of the draft strategy.

Should include a roads strategy that protects haul routes, protects future road corridors including the Intra Regional Transport Corridor (IRTC), etc.

This has been included in the draft strategy which shows both the IRTC and proposed road upgrading to support the land use strategy.

IRTC should be shown on all maps. The IRTC is shown on the draft strategy map. Should consider fragmentation impacts associated with the possible

future realignment of Stapylton Jacobs Well Road. This can be considered in detailed corridor studies to be

undertaken by Department of Main Roads. Should investigate the possibility of using the railway line for freight

purposes. Outside the scope of this study.

Show indicative locations of possible future road connections across the Logan River.

Outside the scope of this study.


Show a more consistent road hierarchy, indicative route for the Southern Infrastructure Corridor (SIC) and existing and possible future interchanges along the IRTC and Pacific Motorway.

Maps from the draft strategy show GCCC’s Priority Infrastructure Plan, IRTC route and interchanges.

Study has unduly restricted consideration of options by applying the provisions of the SEQ Regional Plan 2005.

The draft strategy is consistent with the SEQ Regional Plan 2005 that guides planning and development within the SEQ region.

Absence of a visionary plan for the cane lands is likely to lead to the creation of a ‘rural slum’.

Apart from the land uses identified in the draft strategy, there are a number of options available in the area including lifestyle lots and equine activities. Also the draft strategy recommends GCCC investigate other opportunities to diversify land use options consistent with rural values.

Strongly supports the strategic directions and regional land use categories in the SEQ Regional Plan 2005.

Noted.

Supports subdivision to enable existing owners to retain a small portion of their land.

Rural-residential subdivision is prohibited under the SEQ Regional Plan 2005.

Supports a broader range of ‘home business’ activities including small industries and equipment storage.

The draft strategy will recommend GCCC investigate opportunities to diversify land use options consistent with rural values.

Proposes development of a coastal road linking small coastal communities up to and beyond Cleveland.


Suggests that proposal to provide more land use flexibility to rural landholders will be hamstrung by government bureaucracy.


Concern that the Issues and options paper does not present a clear state and local government strategy for the area.

The draft strategy addresses this.

Outdoor recreation be recognised as alternative land use. The draft strategy will recommend GCCC investigate opportunities to diversify land use options consistent with rural values.


Appropriate buffer zones be constructed to provide natural environmental services and wildlife refuges.

This is a matter for GCCC to address in the more detailed planning studies recommended in the draft strategy.

The area should not be held back from development by rural land policies.

The draft strategy is consistent with the long-term strategic directions set out in the SEQ Regional Plan 2005.

There should be a total land use review and a new strategic direction for the NEGC cane lands to support industrial, urban, marine infrastructure and outdoor recreation land uses.

The draft strategy identifies preferred locations for: o marine industry expansion o priority sand extraction sites.

The Australian movie industry needs access to large, quite rural open

areas. Small to medium farm and heritage based tourism need to be made

cheaper and easier. Primary producers should given access to Peachey and Eggersdorf

Roads. Preserve good quality agricultural land.

The draft strategy retains most of the land in the RLRPA which preserves options for a wide range of future land uses, preserves the agricultural potential of the land and allows for ongoing use for film production purposes.

2. Biodiversity conservation Indigenous cultural value sites should have been listed and cultural

surveys undertaken in specific areas. Extension of Coomera Woods into Coomera East and McCoys Creek

would not be acceptable. Support for the preservation of the inter urban breaks.

The detail in the information provided by the Issues and option paper is considered adequate for the strategic nature of the study.

The impacts of climate change on flooding and storm surge have been underestimated.

Flood information relies on GCCC modelling, Section 2.5 of the draft strategy outlines climate change issues and highlights risks.

Protection, enhancement and creation of wildlife corridors (especially for koalas) should be given high priority.

The draft strategy identifies the proposed Pimpama River/Hotham Creek conservation corridor.


Opposition to the establishment of a marine industry precinct due to environmental impacts (especially on Moreton Bay and dredging impacts) and flood/storm surge concerns.

Marine industry is identified as a priority industry sector by both state and local governments. The draft strategy aims to minimise environmental impacts.

Strong support for the protection of agricultural land close to major urban centres.

Noted, this is a key objective of the draft strategy.

Support for the protection of koala habitat especially in the McCoys Creek locality.

Noted.

Concerned about continuing industrial development west of the M1 (outside the study area) and its impacts on environmental values including water quality.

Outside the study area.

Emphasises the importance of retaining the inter-urban break and protecting important environmental and other values in the study area.

The draft strategy supports these objectives.

3. Urban residential development Support for including land at Green Meadows in the Urban Footprint

because: o there is an existing valid rezoning approval granted in 1991 that is

capable of being exercised o it is incorrect that the entire site is Koala Conservation Area as their

studies show only 50 per cent is viable koala habitat o it is illegal under the Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation

Plan 2006 to translocate koalas from Coomera to their land as proposed.

The site is suitable for business/light industry and residential purposes which are needed in the area.

The draft strategy does not preclude exercise of an existing approval should it be determined that such an approval exists.

The issues and options paper indicates the site has a wide range of values including: o Part of the major inter-urban break o Tidal wetlands o Good quality agricultural land under State Planning

Policy (SPP) 1/92 o Extractive resources (sand) identified as a Key Resource

Area in SPP 2/07 o Significant areas of important koala habitat designated

as a Koala Conservation Area (KCA) under the Nature


Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2006 and Management Program 2006–2016. (Note: KCAs can also include cleared areas)

o Threatened species under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (wading birds and water mouse).

o Endangered Regional Ecosystems under the Vegetation Act 1999.

Support for including land in the Urban Footprint because: o the proposed area is not on good quality agricultural land o the land has no significant environmental features or values or

significant visual features o the site is largely unconstrained by flooding o urban development is required to support the Pimpama District

Centre o development would be an orderly extension of the urban area and

can be provided with all services.

This proposed site forms part of the Inter Urban Break and has also been identified by GCCC as part of a major wildlife corridor.

There is no support for incremental expansions of the Urban Footprint, particularly in the inter-urban break.

Support for including land in the Urban Footprint because: o it is adjacent to the Urban Footprint and can be provided with

services o land is not of high agricultural value o land is within KRA65 but this is impractical due to proximity to

residential areas at Jacobs Well o potentially suitable for aged or retirement residential or marine

industry.

Jacobs Well and adjacent Calypso Bay have considerable expansion potential with in the Urban Footprint. There is no support for incremental expansions to the Urban Footprint especially into Key Resource Areas (KRA). The draft strategy retains this area in the RLRPA.


Support for including land at Eagleby which is identified as part Class A good quality agricultural land should be identified as suitable for urban development because it has not been used for agriculture for 10 years and adjoins the Urban Footprint.

The site is partly affected by flooding and partly good quality agricultural land. There is no support for incremental expansions to the Urban Footprint.

Support for including land at Coomera into the Urban Footprint. The portion of the site outside the Urban Footprint has some

remnant eucalypt forest and is in the Koala Conservation Area. The draft strategy recommends that it be retained in the RLRPA.

4. Lords Lutheran School Support to incorporate the proposed Lutheran school into a site

within their development proposal and free up the Lutheran Education Queensland site adjoining the Pimpama train station for a town centre and transit oriented community.

This site is located in the inter urban break and the Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area and adjacent to the Ormeau rail station. It was formerly subject of an application for the LORDS school which was refused by the former Office of Urban Management, and has now lapsed.

The site has in principle support for the operation of a school with a significant component of the site recognised as contributing to open space functions as recognised in the Inter Urban Break.

The strategy does not support the location of a school in this location due to the fragility of the inter-urban break and its importance as part of an ecological corridor linking the Darlington Range to Moreton Bay.

The LORDS proposal should not be affected by good quality agricultural land.

Good quality agricultural land is not the reason for not supporting the LORDS proposal.

5. Community motorsport and outdoor recreation Support for an improved classification of sport and outdoor

recreation activities and their specific requirements for this and future planning activities.

An improved classification of sport and outdoor recreation facilities and their requirements is outside the scope of this study.


Description of iMETT should have included reference to a community motorsport precinct.

Noted—this has been addressed by the draft strategy.

Support to identify areas that are potentially suitable to accommodate off-road motorcycle activities and other difficult to locate recreational activities.

GCCC has identified need to purchase additional land for regional sporting purposes within this study area. Investigations are currently underway in relation to opportunities to expand on existing sites and to purchase larger (20–50 hectares) site/s along future transport corridors within reasonable proximity to the Urban Footprint.

Noted. The draft strategy has recommended an investigation of land at Stapylton for potential sporting and recreational uses.

Support for a outdoor sports and recreation precinct in Gold Coast City because: o Gold Coast Kart Club (1000 members) has closed and 2 other

clubs face lease expiries o land area requirement for a community motor sports precinct has

been amended to 50ha from the 150 ha initially proposed o precinct would cater for broader range of motorsports than just

motor cycles.

DIP has worked with GCCC’s officers to ensure these issues have been addressed in the draft strategy .

6. Marine and other industry Support for expanding the Green Energy Park around the Rocky Point

mill. The draft strategy does not propose expansion of the Rocky

Point mill industry area. Support for a marine industry precinct to be located north of Cabbage

Tree Point and south of the tidal wetlands. The draft strategy identifies preferred locations for marine

industry expansion. Supports land which is partly within the Urban Footprint and partly

in the Investigation Area should be totally included in the Urban Footprint to allow development of a marine industry cluster.

The draft strategy recommends an area at Steiglitz that was previously identified as an Investigation Area under the SEQ Regional Plan 2005 be included into the Urban Footprint.


Planning timing and funding commitments should be made for an inter-regional road linking the northern-most marine precincts in the study area to Steiglitz and the Coomera marine precinct.

The infrastructure assessment undertaken for the study did not identify a need for such a road.

Gold Coast Council priority infrastructure area should be expanded to include the Steiglitz land.

This is addressed in the draft strategy.

Support that land at Steiglitz between Cabbage Tree Point Road and the coast, and north of Horizon shores and Maas Marina be designated for marine industry purposes.

The draft strategy designates land at Steiglitz as marine industry expansion area.

Support that a sand extraction site on the Logan River be designated as a potential site for a marina for industrial and recreational uses.

This site is identified as a priority extractive industry area. However it has flooding and marine access constraints that need to be considered in detail prior to determining suitable post-extractive use. The draft strategy retains this land in the RLRPA although possible future use for marine activities and/or water-based recreation are also acknowledged subject to resolution of the flooding and access issues.

Support for designating land at Steiglitz for industrial development and facilitate a process for providing 20m access strip to link to Horizon Shores.

The draft strategy identifies sufficient land for marine industry expansion north of this site in locations that do not require the provision of access through areas with important environmental values.

Support for land adjacent to the Neumann Sand Mining and Marina be used for industrial and marine infrastructure and associated industries.

Support for land on Loves Rd be used for industrial and marine infrastructure.

The draft strategy has identified preferred locations for: o marine industry expansion o priority sand extraction sites.


That land identified by the Southern Moreton Bay Marine Infrastructure Master Plan, Stage 1 Draft as Broad Investigation Area, Map D: Logan River be included under the urban footprint so it can be preserved to provide appropriate waterfront services.

The draft strategy identifies preferred locations for marine industry expansion. This land is proposed to be retained in the RLRPA which will preserve opportunities for a wide range of future uses.

7. Sugar industry, good quality agricultural land Good quality agricultural land is a misnomer as most of the land is

only suitable for sugarcane which cannot be grown economically. The draft strategy protects the productive capacity of good

quality agricultural land. Increased flooding due to urban development and inadequate

cleaning and desilting of drainage channels and creeks is contributing to flooding within the study area.

Support for using flood control infrastructure to full capacity to handle flood waters.

The draft strategy identifies and addresses flooding and drainage issues.

Dispute about Department of Natural Resources and Water’s assessment of land suitability for alternative crops. Also most crops need irrigation and treated effluent is unlikely to be available for agricultural purposes.

The draft strategy preserves productive capacity for future use wherever possible. The viability of crops varies with climatic and market conditions as indicated by those who support retention of the cane industry.

Sugar industry is not viable—cane growers get no payment for ethanol.

Payments to canegrowers for cane, ethanol of any other commodity is outside the scope of the draft strategy.

Community should pay for ecosystem system services or transferable development rights used instead.

Currently there are no state or local government programs supporting payments for ecosystem services. The draft strategy does not affect existing development rights so the introduction of transferable development rights is outside the scope of the draft strategy.

Concern about extending the proposed ecological corridor to the north of the Pimpama River especially in relation to limiting drainage maintenance operations.

Inclusion in the ecological corridor should not preclude essential drainage maintenance. GCCC to consider as part of detailed drainage investigations.


Support for other development options for the rural areas e.g rural residential and low impact industrial.

Rural residential subdivision is prohibited under the SEQ Regional Plan 2005. GCCC to investigate opportunities to diversify land use options consistent with rural values.

All of the Rocky Point sugar industry area should be made available for developers to do as they wish to benefit the economy and create industrial and further developments.

This approach is inconsistent with the SEQ Regional Plan 2005 and is not supported by the draft strategy.

Study should recognize the precarious position of the sugar industry. The draft strategy notes market forces determine the future of the sugar industry in the study area and beyond.

Support for identifying the need for detailed studies to assure the area of a productive future based on environmental and recreational assets for SEQ.

The draft strategy maintains the predominantly rural character of the study area. Further studies are identified in the draft strategy however these are limited to specific issues.

Support for an evaluation that includes reshaping and environmental enhancement of the land based on hydraulic and environmental studies to enhance environmental values and its use for environmental offsets.

The draft strategy maintains the potential of the study area for a variety of future uses.

Land should be designated a ‘Special Planning Area’ in the SEQ Regional Plan to facilitate investigations and works funded by partial development.

This is not supported.

Submits the sugar industry has a good future, believes some cane growers just want a rezoning windfall.

East coast land with good rainfall should be protected.

Noted, the draft strategy supports the protection of cane land where possible.

Concern about the potential impacts of iMETT on the industry. iMETT is being assessed under a separate process.


Support for the continuation of the sugar industry and indicates a recent survey has shown that there is definitely more than a handful of growers who would continue in the industry if the assurances in the SEQ Regional Plan 2005 were strongly reaffirmed.

Noted.

Strong support for retention of the sugar industry, and concern about the uncertainty caused by ‘greedy’ developers and real estate agents. Claims younger farmers want to stay in the industry.

Noted.

Growing sugar cane is not viable and rural landholders need the opportunity to pursue other land uses.

Apart from the land uses identified in the draft strategy, there are a number of options available in the area including lifestyle lots and equine activities. Also the draft strategy recommends GCCC investigate other opportunities to diversify land use options consistent with rural values.

Support for sand mining and use of fill to raise land level Fill from developments in Coomera should be used to replace sand

extractions and reinstate farm land. Support for designating 10 per cent of properties for low-impact

industrial land.

The draft strategy recommends GCCC investigate other opportunities to diversify land use options consistent with rural values.

8. Sand extraction Support for land within KRA65A2,(estimated to contain 34 million

tonnes of fine sand) to be designated for sand extraction activity and variety of post-extraction uses possibly including marine industry.

The draft strategy identifies preferred areas for sand extraction and marine industry use in other locations.

Support for land at Jacobs Well Road Norwell be identified as suitable for extractive industry use with post extractive use for marine industry or other urban activities.

The subject land is not included in either the priority area for sand extraction nor the marine industry expansion area.

Extraction of sand resources should not be constrained by good quality agricultural land or other considerations.

The draft strategy identifies priority sand extraction areas to provide certainty for agricultural and other activities in the study area.



Concern that sand resources may be compromised by incompatible land uses.

The draft strategy retains rural land uses in the vicinity of extractive resources.

Concern that the sand resource estimates within the Issues and Options paper may be misleading due to need for buffers, roads, environmental areas and plant and stockpiles.

Demand estimates in the Issues and options paper are conservative and the identified priority sand extraction areas are estimated to contain twice the amount required to supply this conservative estimate. The draft strategy allows flexibility for the extractive industry outside priority areas under certain circumstances.

north east gold coast strategic land use, economic development … · 2015-12-15 · north east...

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