ResidentialLindsay SaundersMon 20 Jul 26
Dreamworld ‘Mini-City’ Masterplan Waved Ahead for Gold Coast
The long-planned Dreamworld Masterplan has been waved ahead by the Queensland Government, clearing the way for a major mixed-use redevelopment that combines tourism expansion with new housing on the northern Gold Coast.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie signed off on the 55.3ha masterplan after his October 2025 decision to call in the development application from the City of Gold Coast for state assessment.
The approval provides a planning framework for staged redevelopment of land encompassing and adjoining Dreamworld and WhiteWater World over the coming decade.
It allows for the continued expansion of the two theme parks alongside new tourism accommodation, entertainment and hospitality uses, eco-tourism attractions and high-density residential development.
The residential component includes multiple homes, retirement living, residential care facilities and rooming accommodation, integrated with retail, commercial and visitor-focused uses.
The approval is subject to conditions requiring staged delivery, compliance with the site’s existing development code and upgrades to the surrounding road network as development proceeds.
The masterplan has been several years in the making. The proposal was lodged with the City of Gold Coast in September 2023 before the state intervened last year, with the council requesting the application be assessed as a state-significant project amid its broader economic and housing implications.
The approval comes as South-East Queensland continues to grapple with housing shortages while preparing for increased visitor demand ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Dreamworld owner Ardent Leisure has invested more than $180 million into the theme park over the past four years, including new attractions and infrastructure.
The company said that investment has supported more than 1000 jobs.
Dreamworld chief executive Greg Yong said the approval unlocked one of Australia’s largest tourism-led mixed-use development opportunities.
“With a shortage of quality hotel accommodation between the northern Gold Coast and Brisbane, and momentum building towards the 2032 Games, we’re well placed to help close that gap while also delivering new amenity, jobs and much-needed housing close to heavy rail,” Yong said.
Bleijie said the approval would provide certainty for private investment while supporting tourism and housing supply.
“This ... gives Dreamworld the certainty it needs to invest in its future, create jobs and secure this iconic Queensland destination for generations to come,” he said.
State clears way for 12,000 Sunny Coast homes
Meanwhile, the state has declared the 1200ha Halls Creek Priority Development Area on the southern Sunshine Coast, paving the way for up to 12,000 homes as it works to accelerate housing supply in one of the state’s fastest-growing regions.
The site, south of Caloundra, will be planned to accommodate new housing, community facilities, open space and employment land through a streamlined development process.
The declaration follows approval under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, allowing planning to move to the next stage.
An Early Release Area within the precinct is expected to fast-track about 1000 homes while a broader development scheme is prepared. Public consultation on the scheme is scheduled for later this year.
Bleijie said the declaration was the fourth Priority Development Area announced by the government since coming to office and would help increase housing supply on the Sunshine Coast.
The Halls Creek declaration follows recent approval for almost 2900 additional homes in the neighbouring Caloundra South Priority Development Area, taking the total approved within Stockland’s Aura community to about 7000 homes.
Housing Industry Association Queensland executive director Michael Roberts said increasing the supply of development-ready land was critical to improving housing affordability on the Sunshine Coast.
He said builders continued to report a shortage of shovel-ready land, limiting the industry’s ability to respond to demand.
Stockland Queensland development general manager David Laner welcomed the declaration, saying the precinct’s proximity to planned infrastructure, including the Wave heavy rail project and regional road upgrades, positioned it to support long-term housing, employment and community growth.
