PRESS RELEASE: The Housing Crisis & the Gold Coast Council
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gold Coast, 17 September 2026 – A new report given to the Gold Coast Council reveals a culture of aggression and thuggery among Council officers and shows survey results whereby 88% of Gold Coast property owners are dissatisfied with Council services and 63% say Council has caused them loss of money or harm.
The report by Dr. Christopher Reynolds and Catherine Graham, ‘The Housing Crisis and the Gold Coast Council’, points out that the nation’s housing crisis is not caused by a shortage of land but by government’s urban growth boundaries, lack of suburban infrastructure and regulations. While the land component of a new home 50 years ago was some 30%, it is now 50-70%. High new home prices are not caused by the builders but the governments.
The report states that Stage Government and Councils cannot build their way out of the crisis they have created. There needs to be a change of attitude and culture whereby the Gold Coast Council creates a ‘Home Owner Friendly’ environment and seeks to utilise the existing capacity of existing homes.
“It has become a situation of ‘we the people vs the Council,” says Dr. Reynolds. “Councils and developers have created over-crowded dormitory suburbs across the country which have produced massive social problems. In place of being a reactionary enforcement agency, Council should pivot to being a ‘facilitator’, the report suggests, and work with property owners to open under-utilised residential resources, and even give out grants to people wanting to rent out accommodation.”
“While Mark Hammel, the Deputy Mayor, realises there is a problem of culture within the Council, the report proposes that Council could eliminate their City Inspectorate and replace it with a Property Services unit to advice residents rather than abuse them,” adds Dr. Reynolds.
ENDS
For a copy of the full report or to arrange an interview, contact Dr. Reynolds by calling 0422467842 or email reynolds.yes@gmail.com
About Australians for Better Government
Australians for Better Government is a non-partisan advocacy organisation dedicated to reforming Australia’s democratic processes. Through education, public events, and policy advocacy, ABG works to promote greater accountability, transparency, and genuine representation in government for the benefit of all Australians. ABG’s extensive solutions and proposals can be found on their website www.australiansforbetter.com
For Editors
Contact: Dr Christopher Reynolds
Email: reynolds.yes@gmail.com
Tel: +61 422 467 842
Website: https://www.australiansforbetter.com
Further comments and photos are available immediately, on request.
