A proposal for a multimillion-dollar expansion of the Dreamworld precinct on the Gold Coast faces significant environmental hurdles, including loss of koala habitat, planning minister Jarrod Bleijie has warned.
The development application, initially lodged in 2023, encompasses a tourism centre, residential homes, and a resort precinct across a 30-hectare site.
Bleijie announced earlier this month that the government was considering fast-tracking the project by using its “call-in powers”, at the request of Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate.
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In a call-in notice lodged with council, Bleijie proposes the development should be called in as it involves the “economic and environmental interests of the state”.
It also notes the site is “heavily vegetated with native vegetation and koala habitat trees”.
“The proposal… represents a major tourism and economic opportunity, however there are significant environmental matters related to the proposal that require careful consideration,” Bleijie wrote.
“In particular, the proposal includes clearing of native vegetation across the site within areas mapped for environmental significance, including regulated native vegetation and koala habitat.”
An ecological report lodged with Gold Coast City Council as part of the development application reveals plans to remove 42,285 square metres of koala habitat, home to 1072 koala habitat trees.
“The proposed vegetation clearing on the subject site will require clearing of mapped koala habitat areas,” the report reads.
“However, this clearing has been drastically minimised to only seek the removal of necessary trees from within the mapped area.”
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A koala management plan also lodged as part of the development application makes clear a result of the development is the “threat of potential impact and risk to koala that may arise or be temporarily intensified”.
“The applicant is highly committed to ensuring these potential threats and risks have minimal impacts on any koala individuals that may be present within the site,” it states.
It notes that no koalas can legally be removed from the site by human intervention and must be allowed to vacate the site without interference.
Koala spotters would be on site during the clearing process and any trees found to contain a koala would not be cleared, as well as any that overlap, until the animal had moved on.
Council will consider the call-in notice at the next full council meeting.
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