QLD housing minister rejects plans to conserve Arundel Hills GC site
The fate of an abandoned Queensland golf course that has become a microcosm for the debate between the need for housing versus environmental protection is a step closer to being sealed, with the state’s housing minister releasing her vision for the 67ha site.
Debate between residents surrounding the former Arundel Hills Golf Club on the Gold Coast, the local council, developers and the state government has been raging since it was closed to players and patrons in mid-2022.
The City of Gold Coast council sided with residents who wanted to see the site protected to continue being home to native animals including koalas and kangaroos, after a developer proposed a new 380-house estate.
Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon, the MP for neighbouring electorate Gaven, has cited the need to address the housing crisis in justifying her desire to see the land developed, indicating she would use her ministerial powers to ignore the council’s decision to reject a large housing development.
On Monday, she released her vision for 650 homes to be built on the site.
