Andrew Potts from Goldcoast.com.au is reporting that the Coomera Town Centre is finally approved but concerns over infrastructure are causing concern over when and indeed if the project will commence.

“THE Gold Coast’s largest planned project has been finally approved but only a fraction of it can be built because the State Government is refusing to fund road upgrades.

Gold Coast City councillors yesterday ended 18 years of negotiations by ticking off approval for the $500 million first stage of the Westfield centre at the Coomera Town Centre.

COOMERA TOWN CENTRE APPROVED BUT ONLY AT QUARTER OF SIZE

But rather than push ahead with a massive shopping centre featuring a cinema, two-level department store and artificial beach similar to Brisbane’s Southbank, Westfield will be restricted to a department store, supermarket and some retail outlets because the Newman Government won’t commit to upgrades to surrounding roads.”

“The project is expected to create 1200 jobs during construction and 1600 permanent jobs once the centre opens.

Under the approval, just 20,000sq m of the 93,320sq m site can be developed until the Newman Government spends more than $495 million to upgrade nearby Foxwell Rd.

These will cost $120 million for the first stages and another $90 million to be completed, along with $90 million for the northern interchange, $140 million for the southern Motorway connection and $55 million for extra works.

Acting Mayor Donna Gates said she had “grave fears” the upgrade of the intersection, and the rest of the town centre, could be delayed by years because of the Government’s budget position.”

You can read the article in full here