Local News

A housing development project worth $1 5 billion has been granted approval, marking a significant transformation of one of the Gold Coast's few remaining undeveloped areas The Gold Coast City Council has given the green light to Lewis Land Group's Harbour Shores masterplanned precinct in Biggera Waters Spanning 16 hectares along 1 5 kilometers of canal-front, this site will soon house over 2,000 homes and accommodate nearly 5,000 residents The project includes the construction of 30 buildings ranging from two to 12 levels

Matthew McCarron, the CEO of Lewis Land Group, expressed the company's plan to expedite the project's launch before Christmas to alleviate the pressure on the city's housing market McCarron stated, "The approval of the masterplan signifies the final stage of the planning process, and we aim to accelerate the release of apartments and waterfront villas For Harbour Shores, we have collaborated with leading Australian architects and urban planners to design a community that harmonizes with its surroundings, enhances the architectural landscape, and contributes to the city's lifestyle for years to come "

Over the next decade, the development will introduce more than 2,000 residences, communal open spaces, parklands, a waterfront boardwalk, private marina berths, as well as retail and commercial areas Resident amenities will include rooftop and lagoon-style pools, tennis courts, and clubhouse facilities The construction phase is expected to generate over 5,000 jobs

Lewis Land Group, known for building the nearby Harbour Town Shopping Centre in the 1990s, is committed to making the residential precinct environmentally friendly McCarron highlighted, "Over 54 percent of the masterplan area is dedicated to open green spaces, landscaping, and communal areas, and the community will also maximize its connection with Harbour Town Premium Outlets and the extensive waterfront "

This announcement follows a recent report by CBRE, a leading national real estate firm, which revealed that the proposed housing developments on the Gold Coast are insufficient to address the city's accommodation crisis In 2022, while the number of dwellings increased by 1 222 the population grew by over 14 000 people or approximately 6 000 households The report warns of growing pressure on both renters and buyers

In response to these challenges, veteran developer Bob Ell has called for collaboration between different levels of government to overcome environmental red tape hindering his projects in Coomera, Cobaki Lakes, and King's Forrest Ell, with over 50 years of experience in the industry, claims he could bring around 16,000 houses and units to the Gold Coast and Tweed markets "immediately "