Southport to be official CBD
Shannon Willoughby, chief reporter | May 2nd, 2013
SOUTHPORT has been earmarked to become the Gold Coast's official CBD after council voted to request the suburb be classified a Priority Development Area (PDA).
Mayor Tom Tate will write to the State Government to request that Southport be classified as a PDA which would allow for the fast-tracking of development within the area and stop appeal rights for developments in the precinct. If accepted, it would be the first PDA for Queensland encompassing a CBD.
"If the state accepts my request, the first step will be to create a true CBD in Southport, which would include the old hospital site and the proposed Chinatown precinct," said Cr Tate.
"The creation of a PDA will not only cut red tape and streamline development decisions, it will create capacity for jobs and developer confidence for the area."
Southport MP Rob Molhoek said the move, if ticked off, would pave the way for development to go ahead before the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
"It means we are well positioned over the next four to five years to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the Commonwealth Games, the light rail and the old Gold Coast Hospital site," he said.
Source:
goldcoast.com.au