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Committee's report

The committee tabled its report on 7 February 2020. The government's response to the committee's report was tabled on 18 February 2020. The Bill was passed with amendments by the Queensland Parliament on 19 February 2020.

About the Bill

On 26 November 2019, the Hon Cameron Dick, Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, introduced the Implementation of The Spit Master Plan Bill 2019 (Bill). The Bill was referred to the State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee for detailed consideration and report by 7 February 2020.

The primary objective of the Bill is to facilitate the implementation of The Spit Master Plan (the master plan), which was released in May 2019 by the State Government. The Bill will not change the master plan.

The master plan provides for a low-rise future for The Spit in accordance with the current Gold Coast City Plan and aims to:

• enhance the public realm of The Spit to create a community space for local residents
• improve connections to the surrounding marine environment, including The Broadwater
• generate opportunities for job creation through tourism, entertainment and recreation
• get the balance right between protecting environmental and community values and facilitating appropriate development opportunities.

The State has committed $60 million to commence implementation of the master plan, which includes the following programs:

• a capital works program to oversee the funding and delivery of a series of capital work projects, such as public realm improvements on The Spit; and
• a site release program to manage the release of development sites identified in the master plan.

To implement the master plan, the Bill will:

• streamline the processes for the granting of particular interests in land and road closures in the master plan area to accelerate the site release program; and
• expand the Gold Coast Waterways Authority’s roles, scope and capabilities to enable it to deliver the capital works program.

Timeline