The Spit Master Plan

The Spit

At the northern tip of the Gold Coast’s famous stretch of beach is a peninsula of land known as The Spit. Nominated by Tourism Australia as Australia’s third best beach for 2022, The Spit is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and The Broadwater. Almost 140 hectares of The Spit’s 201 hectares is set aside for park activities.

The Spit Master Plan

In May 2019, the Queensland Government released The Spit Master Plan ( 24 MB). This followed a comprehensive master-planning process and extensive community consultation.

The Queensland Government has committed $60 million to the master plan’s implementation. It is delivering community infrastructure projects and the release of undeveloped land for new and exciting development opportunities.

The master plan articulates a shared vision for the long-term future of The Spit and supports our commitment to improving the area as a community asset for future generations. The implementation of the master plan has created a strong pipeline of jobs and investment, while ensuring the protection and enhancement of public open spaces.

The future of 138 hectares of green space on The Spit has been secured and this is being balanced with the release of redevelopment site opportunities to create a vibrant Village Centre. The Spit’s planning regulations ensure that all new developments will be limited to a maximum height of three story’s and 15 metres so they integrate seamlessly with the landscape and respect The Spit’s much-loved natural values.

Guidelines and standards

To guide the development of distinctly memorable public spaces on The Spit, a series of supporting design publications have been developed.

The Spit Public Realm Guidelines ( 4.6 MB) sets out design characteristics and a minimum accepted standard of materials and finishes covering various elements of the public realm.

The Spit Identity Strategy ( 7.6 MB) sets out the cohesive visual identities created for both The Spit as a whole and a series of distinct but connected visual identities for the master plan precincts. The strategy sets a consistent visual style that celebrates how The Spit shines as the Gold Coast’s park for nature and play and ensures The Spit is easily recognised as a destination.

The Spit Wayfinding and Interpretive Signage Guidelines ( 64.1 MB) specifies requirements for public realm signage selection, siting, graphic design, construction materials and installation. Implementing a destination brand with consistent signage will enhance user navigation and understanding of The Spit and connect community and visitors with the landscape.

Implementation

The Queensland Government has passed legislation to facilitate the implementation of The Spit Master Plan. The Spit Master Plan Act 2020 enables the release of sites identified in the master plan for commercial development. It also empowers the Gold Coast Waterways Authority to deliver a series of capital works projects that will transform the public realm areas on The Spit.