Plans for a multi-million dollar expansion of the Gold Coast’s Dreamworld precinct could be fast-tracked by the Queensland government after plans stalled with the council.
The application, initially lodged in 2023, envisions the 30-hectare site divided into four distinct zones, encompassing a major tourism core with existing rides, a nature-based tourism area, a town centre precinct including residential homes, and a gateway precinct featuring a resort, restaurants and bars.
The state government today toured the theme park before indicating it may use its “call-in powers” to bypass Gold Coast City Council and directly manage the approval process.
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According to Dreamworld chief executive Greg Yong, the lack of certainty has hindered progress.
“I can’t talk to developers, I can’t talk to partners about what we can do, because we have no certainty,” Yong said, adding that the government’s potential intervention “is a very strong step in the right direction”.
“This is not a hotel for the Olympics, this is a hotel that will do really well for the Olympics but tremendously well for us for 50 years,” Yong said.
The decision to consider using “call in powers” was influenced by a request from Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate.
“For Dreamworld to expand, it invests further in our city, I welcome (that) very much,” Tate said.
Dreamworld now has 20 days to convince Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, who is also planning minister, why he should “call in” the application.
“If I, in 20 days, decide to call in this development then I’ll take over the approval process,” Bleijie said today.
A final decision regarding the intervention is anticipated by late September.
This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.
