The Challenge of Jurisdictional Overlap
Aviation infrastructure does not conform to state borders, yet planning policy in Australia remains stubbornly jurisdictional. My doctoral research examined how Gold Coast Airport — straddling the Queensland–New South Wales boundary — has created a complex governance landscape that neither state is fully equipped to manage alone.
Key Findings
The case study revealed three recurring tensions: economic competition between councils, inconsistent land-use zoning on either side of the border, and a near-total absence of formal intergovernmental coordination mechanisms.
Implications for Australian Planning
If Australia is serious about unlocking the economic potential of secondary airports, we need cross-border governance frameworks that match the spatial reality of airport-driven growth.