Machans Beach real estate: Controversial duplex development at O’Shea Esplanade approved

The “fishing village” vibe of a quiet Cairns suburb is being tested after the controversial approval of two-storey duplexes on the current site of beachside cottage. JOIN THE CONVERSATION

THE “fishing village” vibe of a quiet Cairns suburb is being tested after the controversial approval of two-storey duplexes on the current site of beachside cottage.

Machans Beach residents have lashed out at a plan to demolish a home at 225 O’Shea Esplanade, with 38 submissions made to Cairns Regional Council despite the matter not being open to public comment.

Their protests failed to sway any councillors except Brett Olds and Rob Pyne – too few to stop the development approval in its tracks.

Division 8 councillor Rhonda Coghlan acknowledged there was confusion in the community about how projects could be approved despite not complying with acceptable outcomes in the planning scheme.

225 O’Shea Esplanade, Machans Beach. Picture: supplied.

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However, she said the council was legally obliged to approve the work – and that more residential downsizing would be on the way.

“This is confusing for the general public, it’s hard for us to understand,” she said.

“I know I’ve learnt a lot in the past 12 months but the more I learn, I learn that there is more to know.

“I do understand that it’s a beautiful little community and it definitely has its own feel.

“However, we can’t just shut the gate.

“New owners will come and buy property and they have a legal right to submit an application.”

The site of a proposed development at 225 O'Shea Esplanade, Machans Beach, which would involve dividing the 1,113 sqm block into two allotments, each with a two storey dual occupancy building. Picture: supplied.

Cr Olds argued this approval was another reason the council needed to amend its planning scheme to bring it in line with community expectations.

“When you give someone a guideline, there’s an expectation that those guidelines will be met,” he said.

“They get through, always with this legal jargon.”

The existing four bedroom home at 225 O’Shea St was built in 1987 and sold in February 2020 for $780,000 to a southern superannuation fund.

Former Cairns mayor Val Schier was among the residents making submissions against the development.

She said residents were proud of the differences between Machans Beach and other northern beaches suburbs but most did not oppose increased density if developed appropriately.

“However, I and a large number of my fellow residents greatly fear that if this development is approved … it will give the green light to allow southern developers to rapidly explore development opportunities, buy up old cottages, increase density substantially with buildings that do not respect the style of the village, and make a quick buck at the expense of the local community,” she said.

Brian Lane said Machans Beach had so far avoided the “overdevelopment trap” that other northern beaches communities had succumbed to.

“The residents of Machans Beach like it this way and that is why they have chosen to live here,” he wrote.

The developer did not respond to a request for comment.

Originally published as Machans Beach real estate: Controversial duplex development at O’Shea Esplanade approved