Cross-Border Planning for Promoting Economic Development: A Case Study of Gold Coast Airport, Australia

Airports can be powerful drivers of regional economic development, but Gold Coast Airport’s unique cross‑border location—straddling two LGAs and two states—has created governance challenges that limit its regional impact. This article investigates three questions: the barriers and opportunities for cross‑border economic development, the influence of governance and planning frameworks on the airport’s economic contributions, and the broader lessons from this case.

Using a mixed‑method approach combining key informant interviews and policy analysis, the study finds that most economic benefits accrue to the Queensland side of the border due to fragmented planning and limited cooperation with New South Wales agencies.

The article proposes reframing the border as a catalyst for growth through three mechanisms: positioning the border as an economic asset, establishing an integrated cross‑border “airport city region,” and creating a federally supported Cross‑Border Committee to strengthen collaboration. These insights extend to other major infrastructure projects facing cross‑jurisdictional governance constraints.