Scanlon green lights golf club redevelopment

State Government Approves Major Development for Affordable Housing at Arundel Hills

The battle over the future of the abandoned Arundel Hills Country Club appears to be over with the State Government clearing the way for a major residential development.

Housing, Local Government and Planning Minister Meaghan Scanlon has approved new planning measures, which will allow hundreds of homes to be built on the site.

The overgrown 18-hole golf course has been the subject of an ongoing battle between a developer, residents, the council and the State Government over the past two years.

Developer Arundel Estate Developments had applied to build 380 homes on a portion of the 67-hectare site, but residents opposed the plan and the council strongly rejected the proposal.

Ms Scanlon has approved a Temporary Local Planning Instrument after consultation with the Gold Coast council, industry stakeholders and the community.

Meaghan Scanlon

Under the plans, 60 per cent of the land will be retained for recreation, open space and conservation.

In a big win for the developer, the new plan will now enable the construction of a minimum of 650 homes. A minimum of 20 per cent of the housing will be dedicated to be affordable housing.

The former country and golf club will be divided into five precincts – two residential precincts encouraging a mix of low-rise and medium-density housing types including single houses, duplexes, townhouses and units.

The third precinct will be preserved for public access, sport and recreation.

The fourth and fifth precincts are preserved for open space and conversation purposes to protect and rehabilitate koala habitats and ensure wildlife conservation.

“I have stepped in after council rejected a housing estate proposed for the site which fell short of the government’s minimum expectations to fully utilise this land for more affordable housing,” said Ms Scanlon.

“There aren’t enough homes for our key workers, or young renters and ageing Gold Coasters.”

Ms Scanlon said her decision meant hundreds more homes could be built close to infrastructure and services.

“Not only will this preserve public open space and land for sport and recreation, it provides a higher level of protection to support improved biodiversity and environmental outcomes through restoration and rehabilitation of connectivity corridors,” she said.