If you thought the Coast’s building boom was over, think again.

The current rate of construction is too slow, according to a State Government target and the city needs significant development in a short-list of three suburbs.

CITY leaders have set their sights on three suburbs bordering the Broadwater as the Gold Coast’s new development hotspot.

The area in Southport’s west, Labrador and Biggera Waters are being pushed as the home for a wave of townhouses, duplexes and units in a major revision to the City Plan announced yesterday.

Far from slowing the pace of development, proposed changes instead reflect a need for significantly more housing for an extra 351,100 people who are expected to call the city home within 22 years.

Faced with not meeting a State Government-set growth target of 158,900 new dwellings by 2041, the council says these suburbs will now grow dramatically to house the city’s rapidly growing population.

“The 2041 dwelling targets cannot be achieved based on current construction trends,” a council report on the changes said.

“To assist in this identified shortfall, we have identified three targeted growth areas within the city’s consolidation area.”

About 80 per cent of new dwellings would be created in existing urban areas, with the rest in undeveloped “expansion areas” in the city’s far north.

The council will also investigate 17 other locations across the city to determine whether additional housing can be built there.

Among those is Upper Coomera, around Courtney Drive.

Height restrictions of 33m or up to 12 storeys will be imposed on Chevron Island, which currently has unlimited height limits.

Mayor Tom Tate said the changes to the City Plan were designed to help the Gold Coast cope with the growth while maintaining character and open space.

“The Gold Coast continues to grow at one of the fastest rates in Australia,” he said.

“Out of 1199 issues identified from community and industry feedback on the City Plan, we have addressed 759 issues and allocated a further 440 for amendment in future packages,” he said.

“I have looked at Chevron Island and as far as infrastructure is concerned, you cannot force high-density development there.

“If the infrastructure is not there to support it, then tone down the density and height and you will have a wonderful outcome.”

It is the third major revision to the City Plan since it was introduced in February 2016.

Any changes to the city plan will come into effect in mid-2020.

Among the proposed changes are:

• A late-night Chevron Island dining precinct, with hours of operation extended until midnight.
• New residential density limits on Sovereign Island allowing for buildings of up to 12m in height, up from 9m, as well as changes that would prevent unit blocks from being built in the exclusive suburb.
• Building heights to be defined in metres rather than storeys, excluding The Spit which has a defined three-storey height limit.
• Improved design for the ground floor of buildings in the existing light rail urban renewal areas for more high-quality public spaces.
• Four areas previously listed as potential areas of growth to be abandoned — Mudgeeraba’s Bonogin Road, Gilston’s Pyrus Court, Carrara’s Whitian Drive and Coomera’s Amity Road.

No changes will be made at Palm Beach, which has seen a wave of tower construction sweep along the Gold Coast Highway in anticipation of the light rail extension to the airport.

UDIA Gold Coast president Jason Murdoch urged locals to have their say.

“This is an important opportunity for the community and industry to collaborate with council to shape our city as it grows,” he said.

The first round of community consultation begins today and runs until October 25.

The second round is expected to be held in December.

Cr Tate, who has faced criticism over high-density development at Palm Beach, urged critics to have their say when it would make a difference.

“If you have concerns, get out there,” he said. “Don’t be complacent. I know your passion but it is time to roll it out for the betterment of everyone.”

Source: goldcoastbulletin.com.au