Land audit unlocks potential on the Gold Coast

Described as “shovel-ready land”, the Lumina site is a 17,330-square-metre parcel within the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct that the government said would be used to provide housing to key workers.

Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) will soon take the land to market, seeking interest from those who could deliver build-to-rent units or purpose-built student accommodation. Depending on the final makeup of dwelling types, it estimates the site could hold up to 500 dwellings, accommodating 1,000 people.

Meanwhile in Southport, the Queensland government has commenced planning on the first phase of a new housing precinct in the Southport Priority Development Area, which has been divided into three stages.

The current priority is to develop a supportive housing development called the “West Tower” that will include up to 150 dwellings. Occupants would have access to on-site health and employment services and have the support to transition from social-assisted living to independent living.

The Lumina and Southport land parcels are among 17 shortlisted Queensland government-owned sites that EDQ has eyed for development potential. The first project identified through the land audit, located at Northshore Hamilton, is now in the market, with 1,300 dwellings expected to be built over the next decade.

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the land audit is “a great example of finding creative solutions to housing challenges”.

“Thirty thousand people are already working, living and studying in the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct.

“We are seizing this opportunity at Lumina to deliver more options for our essential workers and students to live near where they work.

“Once complete, the Southport West Tower project will deliver up to 150 supportive dwellings with the opportunity for further housing developments down the track,” he said, noting that community consultation on that project is now underway.

Moreover, the state’s Minister for Housing Meaghan Scanlon commented that the projects are targeted at proving “wraparound support” for housing and homelessness services on the Gold Coast.

“The Southport site will bring with it the potential to provide on-site support for people who need additional help to live independently,” she said.

“Lumina is situated in the heart of our health and university precinct, and with it comes the opportunity to provide the type of homes frontline workers and students need that’s close to where they work or study.”