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The Gold Coast is growing, with over one million people expected to live here in the next 20 years. More people means different ways of living, and a broader mix of homes, jobs and services are needed.
We're developing a new Planning Scheme to keep our city liveable, connected and sustainable. By planning now, we can protect the lifestyle, character and natural beauty that make the Gold Coast special.
Watch: About the New Planning Scheme
The strategy provides the overarching strategic blueprint to guide how the city grows over the next 20 years including:
Local Growth Management Strategy - In-principle version (March 2026)(PDF, 15MB)
Visit the Plan Your Gold Coast Hub to get involved in refining the Local Growth Management Strategy, talk to a planner and explore past engagement insights through pop-ups and expos. You can also browse FAQs and sign up to GCHaveYourSay to stay informed and take part in future engagement on the New Planning Scheme.
This means adding more homes in areas that already have good services and infrastructure, instead of spreading into natural or rural areas.
By strengthening the city's natural systems and focusing on growth in the right places, we can protect wildlife, waterways and landscapes while creating greener, cooler neighbourhoods.
To support a growing population, we need infrastructure that is planned, delivered and upgraded in the right places at the right time to ensure essential services keep pace with growth.
By locating more homes and businesses near good public transport and active transport, and improving walking and riding connections, we can create neighbourhoods where people have multiple transport choices every day. This helps reduce congestion, supports healthier travel and keeps communities connected.
The maintenance and enhancement of a connected network of parks, reserves, beaches, waterways and green corridors, will support healthier, more active communities and protect the natural character people value.
By protecting key employment areas and supporting the industries we already do well - construction, tourism, health and wellbeing and education - we can create more local jobs, attract investment and build a resilient economy that benefits communities as the city grows.
Through the creation of buildings, streets and public spaces that are comfortable, safe, climate-responsive and reflective of local culture and heritage, we can support active lifestyles, strengthen identity and help communities adapt as the city grows.
Traditional Owners and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are heard in planning for the future growth of the city, and heritage places are valued and protected for future generations to enjoy.
By communicating how growth is planned, involving people early and delivering on commitments, we create shared ownership of the city's future and support more confident, informed decision-making.
Every Queensland council must have a planning scheme that guides where and how development can occur. These planning schemes evolve over time to reflect community needs, growth and changing circumstances, and sets the rules for planning in our city. When developing the new scheme, we consider:
Watch: New Planning Scheme – why we have a scheme
In Queensland, planning happens at different levels. Under the Planning Act 2016 (Qld) there are 3 types of instruments regulating development on the Gold Coast:
The Queensland Government is responsible for state and regional planning and provides the overarching framework for how state and local interests are to be reflected in local planning instruments.
Watch: New Planning Scheme – how we plan
Our local planning aligns with:
The South East Queensland Regional Plan includes benchmarks such as dwelling supply targets local governments must plan for.