Rationale for Planning Reform

Planning and development at Springbrook are governed by the Gold Coast Planning Scheme of the Gold Coast City Council together with the Springbrook Local Area Plan.

Whereas the Local Area Plan imposes certain restrictions and conditions on development, there are serious weaknesses.

Of fundamental concern is the failure of the planning instruments to recognise Springbrook as a World Heritage precinct. The World Heritage Convention requires signatories “to adopt a general policy which aims to give the cultural and natural heritage a function in the life of the community and to integrate the protection of that heritage into comprehensive planning programmes”.

A positive development is the Queensland Government’s incorporation in the South East Queensland Regional Plan (2009–2031) the following vision for Springbrook:

The vision for Springbrook is of a vibrant community of residents and visitors sustaining and sustained by World Heritage values,
and a mostly natural landscape that inspires and revives the human spirit

Local councils are required to incorporate provisions in the South East Queensland Regional Plan in their own planning instruments.