Since the introduction of the Gold Coast City Plan in February 2016, Findasite Town Planners (Findasite) have been working closely with City of Gold Coast officers (on behalf of our clients), to determine which policies are being implemented strictly vs those that allow for leniency. As the City continues to grow, Findasite is a frontrunner when it comes to interpreting new policies and exploring opportunities to maximise potential for our clients’ sites.
A Current policy within the Gold Coast City Plan, where Council officers have recently shown leniency is, the subdivision requirements for properties within the Rural Residential Zone. The City Plan identifies the minimum lot size within the Rural Residential Zone as 4,000m2, with all subdivisions required to achieve a minimum average lot size of 8,000m2. This can be confusing for property owners to interpret, so will be explained in the example below.
Under the City Plan benchmarks a property that is 16,000m2 can only be subdivided into two lots, to meet the minimum average lot size of 8,000m2. However, given the minimum lot size is 4,000m2, two lots could be created at, 11,000m2 and 5,000m2. This would satisfy both the minimum lot size and minimum average.
Despite the City Plan benchmarks, Findasite has achieved development approvals for two lot subdivisions over a number of properties that are just over 8,000m2, creating two allotments of just over 4,000m2. These subdivision approvals have achieved the City Plan requirement of a minimum lot size of 4,000m2, but not the average minimum lot size of 8,000m2. Evidently, City of Gold Coast officers are still supporting these subdivisions, which is creating opportunities for landowners within the Rural Residential areas of the City, where owners may not be aware that their property has development potential.
Suburbs that include properties within the Rural Residential zone are as follows:
- Tallai
- Mudgeeraba
- Bonogin
- Tallebudgera
- Reedy Creek
- Worongary
If you own a property that is; over 8,000m2, and within any of the suburbs above, there is an opportunity for a subdivision application.
City of Gold Coast planners have unequivocally stated that any subdivisions that create allotments under 4,000m2, are unlikely to be supported. However, as long as each lot is over 4,000m2, there is a high chance that a two lot subdivision will be supported.
Properties that Findasite has achieved development approval on, that are located within the Rural Residential Zone include:
- 10 Mewsdale Row, Tallai – The property has a land size of 8,094m2 and Findasite was able to achieve approval for two, 4,047m2 lots.
- 13 Mewsdale Row, Tallai – The property has a land size of 8,103m2 and Findasite was able to achieve approval for two lots of, 4,002m2 and 4,201m2.
- 30 Tallai Road, Tallai – The property has a land size of 8,090m2 and Findasite was able to achieve approval for two lots of, 4,060m2 and 4,030m2.
Should you be interested in discussing any of the information above, please give Findasite a call on 0409 888 498 (Steve) or 0433 145 514 (Chris). Alternatively, email us as info@findasite.net.au.