South East Queensland — Council Development Profile

City of Gold Coast

Australia's largest projected population growth, with greenfield land running out

The largest forecast population growth of any Queensland LGA, with greenfield land nearly gone — making coastal infill and mixed-use the dominant play.

Surfers Paradise skyline and beach, Gold Coast

Photo: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Development Snapshot

Population
681,389 (ERP, 2024)
Projected Population 2046
~1.0 million
Dwelling Target to 2046
+161,700 new dwellings (ShapingSEQ 2023)
Planning Scheme
Gold Coast City Plan 2016 (as amended)
Land Area
~1,334 km²
Median House Price
~$1.17M (CoreLogic, 2025)

ShapingSEQ 2023; QGSO 2023; profile.id; CoreLogic 2025; City of Gold Coast. Figures are indicative and should be verified before any transaction.

Planning & Zoning

  • Gold Coast City Plan 2016 (as amended)
  • Southport PDA — the city's only declared PDA
  • Coomera–Pimpama — last major greenfield corridor
  • Densification: Surfers, Broadbeach, Robina, Varsity

Growth & Demographics

  • 681,389 residents (2024) → ~1.0M by 2046
  • Largest absolute growth in Queensland
  • +161,700 dwellings to 2046 (ShapingSEQ)

Development Pipeline & Approvals

  • Light Rail Stage 3 + northern extension
  • "The GC" rapid-transit corridor
  • New hospitals, Yatala studios, M1 upgrades
  • 2032 Olympic events on the Coast

Investment Angle

  • Biggest QLD growth meets shrinking greenfield land
  • Infill apartments along the light-rail spine
  • Record unit prices support feasibility

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