Hinterland and Rural Tourist Parks - Short-Term Accommodation
August 19, 2026
City of Gold Coast over recent years have been pushing tourism and experiences within the Hinterland region (aka. The Green Behind the Gold). Since 2020 we have carried out several development applications for tourist parks that had the intention of maintaining the natural beauty of the Hinterland (areas such as Natural Bridge, Currumbin Valley, Guanaba, etc. and within rural areas of Somerset and Scenic Rim Regional Councils), whilst providing quality accommodation options. Many tourist parks are also co-located with existing attractions (e.g., nature trails, waterfalls, etc.), or commercial ventures (e.g., function facilities and wedding venues) – noting transport and accommodation is often scarce in the Hinterland, and more people are looking for complete experiences, rather than quick visits (i.e., 2 – 3 night ‘weekender’ stays). With our experience in this space, we are well equipped with the knowledge of Council’s and State’s expectations and have a network of consultants that provide the correct reporting to achieve the desired development result.
Our Town Planning team were engaged to prepare and lodge a material change of use application for a new apartment building at Tugun. The site had some access difficulties and other constraints that made this a tricky project. However with a great design and consultant team and working closely with Council, we managed to achieve an approval that met the owners brief and looks great.
Recently, for a client within the medium density residential area of Pacific Pines, we were able to carry out detail survey and secure an approval for a dual occupancy development on a site with an existing house. The key element to this development was the ability to utilise freely available land on the site (being the backyard, confirmed via our survey) for the additional dwelling, whilst maintaining the current state of the existing dwelling. Furthermore, to overcome potential amenity issues (i.e., privacy), we worked with the building designer and successfully described the building attributes to Council that detailed the neighbouring privacy would not be impacted upon. Our reporting resulted in Council requiring minimal assessment time, meaning a swift result for our client.
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For the last couple of years we have been working with a prolific industrial warehouse builder, assisting with their SEQ projects and obtaining the required development approvals. The most recent project is a 4,500m2 warehouse in Heathwood. Approval was triggered due to various environmental overlays under the BCC City Plan. However, with a clear design intent, supporting specialist reports and a thorough development application, a successful approval was obtained. The owner is now proceeding to construction and we look forward to seeing this high quality project move through to completion.
Michel Group Services were engaged to obtain approval for additional facilities at an existing stable within the Bundall Equestrian Precinct. The facilities included a horse treadmill, covered horse walker, new roof structure and replacement of existing roof structures. Approvals were triggered due to non-compliant setbacks and site coverage. Working closely with Council and with the provision of landscaping resulted in a quick turn-around on the approval, allowing the owner to proceed with construction.
Completion of Tallai Rural Residential Subdivision We have recently completed a rural residential subdivision at Tallai with the new titles registering. Michel Group Services involvement included initial detail survey, town planning works to obtain the subdivision approval, coordination works to act on the approval and satisfy the conditions, plan sealing and completion of final titling surveys. A one stop shop for subdivision of land.
Michel Group Services were engaged by a long-term repeat client to assist in obtaining development approval for a large-scale commercial development on their Highland Park site. With site complications including access and slope, this was a complicated project that required a collaborative approach with our architect and team of project consultants to achieve a great result that met the clients brief and was acceptable to Council. Our involvement included detail site survey, town planning and project coordination. With over 7,800m2 of floor area and uses including showrooms, shops, offices and food and drink outlet, this will be a great project for the local area and we look forward to seeing it proceed to construction in the coming months.
Following completion of construction on a dual occupancy in Miami, Michel Group Services were asked to assist in strata titling the two units. Our works included draft survey plans and associated documents to enable off the plan sales, preparation of final survey plans as well as coordination works and plan sealing to achieve separate titles. Was a great project to be involved in and a successful outcome for the owner.