The State Government plans to take control of future development decisions surrounding the Dreamworld precinct on the northern Gold Coast.
Deputy Premier and State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie said the State Government had issued a proposed call-in notice for a major mixed-use tourism and housing precinct development following a direct request by City of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.
Deputy Premier Bleijie said the plan to call-in the application was supported by Dreamworld and other key stakeholders.
He said he had this week written to the Council, Dreamworld, and submitters on the current application under assessment by Council, seeking their views for 20 business days as to whether he should or shouldn’t call-in the application.
“Dreamworld has invested over $180 million in its business over the last four years, supporting more than 1000 direct jobs for the Gold Coast.”
Deputy Premier Bleijie said Dreamworld’s development application permitted the business to develop its landholdings into four key areas including a major tourism core, nature-based tourism precinct, gateway precinct and town centre transition precinct.
He said the major tourism core would allow Dreamworld and White Water World to continue operating as theme parks, while the nature-based tourism precinct would allow for low-impact eco-tourism opportunities including viewing platforms, eco-tourism cabins and boardwalks.
“The gateway precinct would become an extension of the theme park and enable for uses such as short-term accommodation, a resort complex, hospitality and entertainment venues.”
Deputy Premier Bleijie said the town centre transition precinct would allow for further residential and accommodation opportunities.
“Dreamworld has been an icon of the Gold Coast for more than four decades and this major mixed-use tourism and housing precinct development is set to future-proof the theme park for decades to come.
“In partnership with the Gold Coast City Council, the Government is reducing red and green tape to fast-track more investment into Queensland’s tourism offering.
“This proposed call-in notice will take into consideration the tourism benefits of this development along with the critical road infrastructure required to keep the northern Gold Coast moving.”
State Member for Theodore Mark Boothman said by partnering with Dreamworld traffic congestion on Whitewater Way, “one of the worst congested roads on the Gold Coast”, could be better addressed.
Dreamworld CEO Greg Yong said the move gave the company confidence to support significant investment in Queensland.
“As a listed company with a proven track record of investment in Queensland, we stand ready to deliver transformational projects.”
