Of more prominence within the Division, is the development of a series of light industrial parks which house a diverse range of small and large business operations providing services such as panel beating, motor vehicle wrecking, a wide range of trades, printing and equipment hire services.

In one operation conducted along the Nerang River in 1857 by Sub-Inspector Frederick Wheeler, an Aboriginal camp was fired upon and dispersed, with a blind man named Nyajum being executed in front of his female relatives.

Daily Cobb & Co coach services from Brisbane began the same year[8] and river transport to the settlement became more regular.

A thrice weekly Cobb & Co coach service provided the incentive for the opening of a second hotel called the Southern Cross, followed by the Royal Mail in 1873.

With an abundant supply of red cedar amongst other tree species, the first industry to flourish in the area was timber cutting.

Nerang State School opened on 1 November 1875 with 47 students under teacher Thomas Johnson.

[9][10] With the establishment of a telegraph office, two stores, a butcher, a saddler, a baker and a boot maker it was clear that a township was forming.

At the time the amenities advertised included the Commercial Hotel, agricultural and saw-milling district and a railway station was promised.

At that time, Nerang was the one of those townships in the Gold Coast hinterland that reflected that the economic focus of the area was agriculture.

[16] During World War II the Australian Army's 4th Armoured Brigade operated a tank training centre at Nerang.

Like other Gold Coast hinterland towns, Nerang began to change from being a service centre for agriculture to becoming increasingly residential suburbs for workers in the coastal tourism industries.

[3] Recent years have seen the early Nerang flourish as an administrative centre for the growing Gold Coast.

[30] The Nerang branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the Girl Guide Hut at 40 Ferry Street.

The Carrara Sports Ground is located a short distance away from the Nerang Train Station with Metricon Stadium being the home for of the Gold Coast Suns AFL football team.

The area surrounding the Carrara Sports Ground has undertaken significant development in anticipation for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.