Nine landowners in the Canungra region have begun a community engagement process over a proposal to change the use of a combined 742ha of land.
The swathe of land is a 30-minute drive west from the Gold Coast in South-East Queensland’s Scenic Rim.
The Canungra North Strategic Vision explores opportunities to address several of the region’s most critical needs, including housing affordability, education infrastructure, sustainable growth and the growing demand for eco and lifestyle tourism.
The landowners group, operating under the name Canungra360, said it wanted “to articulate the emerging vision and potential rezoning of the land, with a focus on transparency”.
Canungra360 believes the Canungra area can accommodate growth but land availability, infrastructure challenges and planning limitations constrain it.
Canungra360 spokesman Greg Benneworth said it was a co-ordinated and forward-thinking approach to regional planning.
“This is an opportunity to take a long-term, considered view of how Canungra’s northern corridor might evolve to meet the changing needs of the region,” Benneworth said.
“With housing prices continuing to rise across the Gold Coast and Brisbane, Canungra is becoming an increasingly sought-after place to live. We’re already seeing development extend north of the township, right up to the southern boundary of this land.
“A logical and well-planned extension of land to the north can help relieve pressure on the town centre and create a more balanced and sustainable pattern of growth, aligned with south-east Queensland’s emerging population needs.”
Benneworth said the Canungra North Strategic Vision aligned with the strategic objectives of the South-East Queensland Regional Plan and the State Infrastructure Strategy, presenting an opportunity to demonstrate best-practice planning, environmental stewardship and collaborative regional leadership.
A mix of housing types are being proposed for the parcel of land, including larger blocks, family homes and some townhouses. There is also potential for a new school to service the area.
Victorian communities developer Moremac Property Group bought into the area last year with the acquisition of a 250ha site at Beaudesert, within the existing town centre.
The development, to be called Beaumoor, would yield 900 to 1000 lots, subject to council approval.
