Six storey northern beaches apartment building ‘not excessive’, say developers

A veteran northern beaches developer is not giving up easily on his plans for a 22.4m high apartment building in a tropical seaside village.

Veteran Far North developer Bob Simkins is determined to build the Maya apartment complex in Palm Cove despite public protests and obstacles from Cairns Regional Council.

Mr Simkins did the up-market Shara on Williams Esplanade with the six apartments selling off the plan for about $10m – and one apartment now listed for a whopping $2.75m.

Shara, which is 16.75m high, has an underground car park, shops, then three storeys of living with a rooftop pool.

The developers have submitted mock up images of what the apartment complex Maya would look like from Veivers Rd. Picture: Supplied

Maya would have five storeys and a rooftop pool – but as part of the rooftop is enclosed, Cairns Regional Council said it was actually six storeys.

The development at 17 Veivers Rd would comprise 10 three-bedroom units.

Residents have protested it is “an ugly concrete edifice” and an “industrial style high rise”.

The application was lodged in March but Cairns Regional Council was dubious, responding with an information request and saying there was significant noncompliance with core assessment benchmarks.

The developers argue the proposed apartment complex Maya is not too tall. Picture: Supplied

Mr Simkins, through his planners Brazier Motti, has responded with a robust 80-page document defending the development.

Mr Simkins has argued the building has a total height of 22.4m and the measurement of 25.8m included the basement.

It says given the sixth storey only has a roofed structure for storage, “the bulk of the building predominantly extends to only 18.7m above ground”.

Plans for a five storey apartment tower at 17 Veivers Rd, Palm Cove, seem to have stalled with Cairns Regional Council saying it was not in keeping with the scale, intensity and urban amenity of the locale.

“The height of the proposed multiple dwelling is not excessive in comparison to existing taller structures such as the Alamanda Palm Cove Resort or Oasis at Palm Cove Holiday Apartments,” the document stated.

“The proposed structure is also surrounded by dense, mature vegetation containing heights similar to that proposed in built form, softening any visual impact that building bulk may have on the area’s natural amenity.”

It says the proposed building has a tropical design and character, and is residential infill development in an area that predominantly has tourist accommodation.

Plans for a five storey apartment tower at 17 Veivers Rd, Palm Cove, were lodged in March this year. The developers say the building would be 22.4m high. Picture: Supplied

“It will contribute to an attractive streetscape for visitors while providing residential opportunities for long term residents,” the document said.

“The introduction of long-term residents to the area will provide stability in support of services and commercial outlets, encouraging economic growth.”

The 898sq m property cost $1.3m some 12 years ago.

Mr Simkin has previously said a lot of work had been done to get the right mix so the building blended into the background.

A request was made for comment from the developer’s representative.

Council’s planning director Ed Johnson said in In Palm Cove, 15m was the “acceptable outcome” – an established method to achieve compliance under the code.

But he said there was some flexibility.

Under the Planning Act 2016, if a development did not strictly meet the acceptable outcome, applicants were able to put forward alternatives that achieve the overall intention of the code.

“These provide Council with the flexibility to assess developments on their merits, as opposed to a ‘one size fits all’ approach,” Mr Johnson said.

“As part of its assessment, Council considers a range of other issues, including the site, design and landscaping, before making a decision,” he said.

“The development at Veivers Rd is currently being assessed, and the final design outcome has not yet been confirmed.”

Originally published as Six storey northern beaches apartment building ‘not excessive’, say developers