State Government paves way for Minda to build nine-storey tower at its North Brighton site

THOUSANDS of local residents said they didn’t want it but an expansive, 9-storey beachfront apartment block’s been given the nod: it’ll be more than double the height of nearby buildings.

MINDA has been given the go ahead to progress plans for a controversial nine-storey apartment block on the North Brighton beachfront.

The State Government has approved development plan changes for the area to allow Minda to build high-rises on its 28ha King George Ave campus.

The development will be 10 metres from the secondary dunes near Somerton Park beach, which residents and Holdfast Bay Council fear will put the environment at risk.

Save Brighton spokesman Mark Laurie said the development was “of a size and scale utterly at odds with the neighbourhood”.

Nine storeys would be more than double the height of any other building in Holdfast Bay south of Glenelg South.

“(It) will devalue (the neighbourhood) considerably by virtue of its impacts upon aesthetics, ease of movement, public space and privacy,” Mr Laurie said.

“To go from the Jack Fox Memorial Oval and open secondary dune area to condominiums up to nine storeys will be confronting and shocking for all those who live near, use or value Somerton Beach’s relatively open environment.”

The planning changes would enable Minda to proceed with its 10-year $200 million masterplan, which includes 294 retirement apartments, shops, offices and consulting rooms.

Artist’s impression of the $200 million masterplan for the Minda site.

The proceeds from the development would fund the replacement of the institutional-style accommodation for Minda’s residents with an intellectual disability.

Holdfast Bay Mayor Stephen Patterson said the council broadly supported Minda’s development plans but was disappointed the government was allowing high-rises so close to the dunes.

“Ideally, we would like the buildings to be further back,” he said.

“We were also informed that the issues relating to roads and stormwater infrastructure would be resolved before the DPA was issued. However, this has not occurred.”

State Liberal Bright MP David Speirs said Minda’s plan would compromise a “precious” stretch of coastline.

“I share the concerns of more than 2000 petitioners in the local community who have raised concerns that the character, environment and livability of North Brighton, Hove and Somerton Park will be irreversibly and negatively changed if this high rise development goes ahead,” Mr Speirs said.

“We are blessed with a beautiful natural environment, significant built heritage and low density housing.

“The last thing we need is Adelaide’s version of the Gold Coast emerging out of the sand dunes.”

Minda chief executive Cathy Miller at the North Brighton campus. Photo Tom Huntley

Minda chief executive Cathy Miller told the Guardian Messenger the nine-storey apartment block would be in the centre of the site to limit its impact on surrounding properties.

“We understand that some people — in particular our immediate neighbours — may feel unsettled by the prospect of our development,” Ms Miller said.

“It is our intention to have taller buildings located centrally on the Minda site, with buildings staggered downwards in height towards the boundaries to best integrate into the local environment.

“We are confident that the independent traffic modelling that has been done, combined with appropriate road designs, will ensure impact to local areas is not detrimental.

“We intend to listen to any concerns and work with them to create a vibrant, integrated community hub that offers leading edge accommodation for South Australians living with intellectual disability.”

Minda would need development approval for the project before work could commence but did not provide a timeframe.