One of the Gold Coast's key high rise developments on the Southport Spit, and widely seen as a test case for future development on the Spit, could be debated before the March 19 Gold Coast elections.

Council planning officers are now researching the complexities of twin 44-storey towers, now including an underwater aquarium and museum, on a site where the "desired height outcome" is still three storeys.

Proposed aquarium at at Sunland development at Southport Spit.

No date has been set for the application to come to Gold Coast City Council, however a decision is possible within the "caretaker" period.

Five of the Gold Coast's 14 councillors will retire on March 19.