Hinterland Nerang - Expression of Interest

⁠⁠⁠Overview

The City of Gold Coast (City), through Invest Gold Coast, is seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified and experienced development partners for the redevelopment of the City's Nerang Administration Precinct. The redevelopment is expected to transform the precinct into a vibrant mixed-use destination incorporating residential development, community infrastructure, public realm improvements, commercial and employment-generating uses, and supporting infrastructure.

The precinct comprises approximately 7.9 hectares of strategically located land within Nerang and represents a significant urban renewal opportunity.

Scope

The scope includes:

• Disposal and redevelopment of the former Nerang Administration Centre site
• Delivery of the new Hinterland Gateway Community Hub as returnable works under a development partnership arrangement
• Development of a viable master plan for the precinct
• Undertaking planning approvals for the proposed development
• Delivery of the proposed development, including residential development, community infrastructure, public realm improvements, commercial and employment-generating uses, and supporting infrastructure
• Design and construction of the Hinterland Gateway Community Hub in accordance with the City's functional requirements

Objectives

Precinct Outcomes

• Place Making: Delivery of a vibrant, master-planned precinct that integrates residential, civic and commercial uses, supported by high-quality landscaping, an activated public realm, and strong access to public and active transport, delivering on the Council Plan outcome for a safe, active and healthy community
• Civic Assets: Delivery of fit-for-purpose, value-for-money civic assets through the Hinterland Gateway Community Hub that responds to community needs, delivering on the Council Plan outcome for accessible community and cultural infrastructure which supports social connections
• Housing Diversity: Maximised diversity of housing products and dwelling yield to directly respond to the Gold Coast housing supply challenge, delivering on the Council Plan outcome for city growth that ensures sufficient capacity and types of housing to meet future needs
• Financial Sustainability: Optimised financial arrangements to achieve cost-effective outcomes and minimise City capital contributions, delivering on the Council Plan outcome for a high performing, customer focused organisation which delivers value for money services to the community

The City seeks proposals that:

• Deliver a contemporary mixed-use precinct that revitalises the Nerang town centre
• Facilitate delivery of the Hinterland Gateway Community Hub as key community infrastructure
• Increase housing supply and diversity
• Generate economic activity, investment and employment opportunities
• Provide high-quality public realm, landscaping and civic spaces
• Demonstrate design excellence, sustainability and place-making principles
• Deliver value for money outcomes for the City and community
• Support community resilience, social connection and improved access to services
• Present a credible and commercially viable development and delivery strategy
• Identify innovative approaches that improve development outcomes, precinct integration, staging efficiencies and long-term operational performance

Contractor Requirements

Respondents should demonstrate:

• Experience delivering large-scale mixed-use, urban renewal or master-planned precinct developments
• Capability to finance, design, obtain approvals for and deliver complex development projects
• Experience delivering public-private partnership, development agreement, returnable works or similar transaction structures
• Demonstrated ability to integrate community infrastructure, public realm, housing and commercial outcomes
• Strong project governance, stakeholder engagement and community consultation capabilities
• Financial capacity and organisational capability to undertake a project of this scale and complexity
• An understanding of planning, infrastructure and development requirements applicable to South East Queensland

Respondents will be assessed on capability, relevant experience, project vision, commercial approach, delivery methodology and alignment with the City's strategic objectives.

Site Analysis

• Zoning: Community Facilities Zone and Medium Density Residential Zone
• Expected Developable Area: Approximately 21,000m2 (~2.1ha)
• Land Tenure: The site is currently owned in freehold by the City
• Surrounding Land Uses: Low impact industry uses to the north, M1 to the east, Southport Nerang Road and Commercial and Sport and Recreation uses to the south, limited low density residential uses to the west

Environmental

Portions of the site are covered by Environmental Significance Overlays which are focused on the existing undeveloped areas predominantly in the north-eastern sections. Ecological surveys and an Arborist survey have been completed for the site to map environmental characteristics within the site. The environmental characteristics of the site offer unique opportunities with native bushland and local koala habitat at the doorstep of a residential community.

Heritage

There are no historic heritage places within or adjacent to the project area. The likelihood of the activity causing harm to historic cultural heritage is assessed as low. No further historic heritage assessment, approval or management is required. Under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 Duty of Care Guidelines, the activity has been assessed as a category being primarily on areas subject to either prior development or significant prior ground surface disturbance (categories 3 and 4). Project works in these areas, such as roads and existing buildings, are assessed as low risk. Areas of remnant vegetation and any other areas not subject to prior development or significant prior ground surface disturbance require further assessment.

Geotechnical

The site geology is mapped under the Queensland Government's (Department of Resources) Queensland Globe and several geotechnical investigations have taken place across the site over time. The northern part of the site, mapped in the City Plan as having a moderate landslip hazard, is predominantly in an undeveloped area.

Ground Conditions

A search of the Queensland Contaminated Land Register (CLR) and Environmental Management Register (EMR) was completed on 22 September 2025 and did not identify any records for Lot 101 RP203356 or Lot 50 on SP326951.

Transport and Access

The current site includes a signalised intersection access from Southport Nerang Road, a priority-controlled intersection at Southport Nerang Road and a left-in left-out access to Nerang Connection Road. The site has an existing bus stop and turnaround facility within the internal road network to be retained or improved, with higher frequency services connecting Nerang to Southport and Broadbeach. Pedestrian and cyclist connections are currently focused along Southport Nerang Road. The existing external road network (State Roads) is operating close to capacity, with potential for upgrades to be required depending on proposed site yields.

Services and Utilities

Preliminary investigations have been undertaken regarding water, sewer, stormwater, electrical, telecommunications and gas. Requirements for services and utilities will ultimately be dependent on proposed site yields, and further investigation and coordination will need to be undertaken by the developer to accurately identify all service requirements.

• Stormwater: Preliminary investigations did not identify stormwater augmentation triggers, as initial layout plans did not indicate material changes from the existing drainage context. The site already contains significant stormwater infrastructure servicing both on-site areas and external catchments, with the network grouped into multiple systems that generally discharge to the parkland south of the site and include major culverts under Southport Nerang Road
• Sewer: Preliminary investigations have identified that the draft Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP) includes projects related to the trunk sewer network relevant to the precinct, which will require consideration by the preferred Developer when determining a preferred development mix and proposed yields. Further engagement with the City will be required to consider staging and design of trunk infrastructure improvements to determine any augmentation requirements. Based on the City's planned sewer demand allowance at the planned service demand level, higher yield residential development is likely to require sewer network augmentation
• Water: Preliminary investigations have identified that a higher yield residential outcome will require detailed water network assessment to confirm that pressure and fire flow requirements can be met, and whether local upgrades, booster infrastructure, or connection upgrades are required as part of development
• Electrical: Preliminary investigations did not identify significant augmentations for electrical infrastructure, however developers should assume that Energex approvals and lead times for asset relocations and transformer works may influence programme and cost. Early engagement with Energex is recommended to confirm supply strategy, substation locations, and any easement requirements

Location

• Site Address: 829-833 Southport Nerang Road, Nerang (formally described as Lot 101 on RP203356 and Lot 50 on SP326951)
• Site Area: Approximately 79,090m2 (7.9ha)
• Map: View on Google Maps

Instructions to Tenderers

Expression of Interest (EOI) submissions must be uploaded via VendorPanel by 4:00 pm AEST on 2 October 2026. The EOI process will be conducted through VendorPanel and is intended to identify and shortlist respondents for participation in a subsequent Request for Detailed Proposal (RFDP) process.