Councillors oppose Coombabah surgery despite hundreds of elderly signing petition of support

A medical centre backed by many residents on a suburban home block has been refused by a majority of councillors. Find out why

A majority of councillors have refused a development application for a medical centre on a suburban home block, sparking outrage from Gold Coast residents crying out for it.

The Bulletin has obtained emails from several residents who have reached out to Mayor Tom Tate and other councillors to reverse the final vote, at this coming Tuesday’s full council meeting.

Officers had recommended approval of the application to demolish a home in Oxley Drive at Coombabah, to create a general practice with a specialist skin cancer consultation service to operate during day hours from Monday to Saturday.

The vote at planning committee on Tuesday for a “refusal” was 6-2 after Brooke Patterson, Josh Martin, Naomi Fowler, Dan Doran and Gail O’Neill backed Acting Mayor Donna Gates.

Area councillor Shelley Curtis asked how the development would add to “local character”. Only planning chair Mark Hammel and Peter Young supported it if changes could be made.

A development application for a medical centre in Coombabah on the Gold Coast has divided councillors.

The final decision will set a precedent for approvals of medical centres on suburban blocks along a “high order road” — but the debate has exposed a shortfall of doctors in the suburbs.

Councillor Gates was concerned about car parking and impacts on neighbours, and questioned why a commercial site nearby for sale had not been considered as a more appropriate location.

“Most of us living in these areas (low density suburbs) would be heartbroken if a development like this was approved by council,” she said.

But the application prompted a petition signed by 388 supporters, and 39 residents made submissions backing it. Only 18 people have objected.

A spokesperson for Kyaw Thandar Pty Ltd, representing owners who are doctors, said an economic study showed Coombabah had a growing elderly population and shortfall of seven GPs, more than double other areas.

“There are many retirement villages and nursing homes nearby. It is very difficult for them to seek medical services,” the spokeperson said.

“The nearest urgent care centres are about 30 minutes drive at Oxenford and it is not possible for elderly people to drive all the way since they have difficulties in transportation.”

The suburban lot where an application has been made for a medical centre at Coombabah on the Gold Coast.

A Coombabah couple wrote to councillors saying they were shocked by the vote.

“Having watched the minutes of the meeting with the local councillors and planning committee, it is hard to fathom how such an important medical centre for the community could be in jeopardy,” they wrote.

The couple said councillors had ignored officer’s recommendations and multiple expert assessments during 15 months of negotiations.

“We listened to the objections made by the councillors and thought many were trivial and unreasonable in our opinion. Oxley Drive already has commercial development,” they said.

“There are already two childcare centres, doctor’s surgery, an age care day respite centre and a retail nursery with cafe. These exciting businesses don’t create any problems.”

Officers in their report said the type and size of the health care services was appropriate under the City Plan which sought a viable network of centres.

“The proposal is for a locally serving, standard, GP clinic rather than a full service medical centre which would be more suitable in established City’s centres or business areas where a full range of health services can be fulfilled,” officers said.

“The proposed development, in conjunction with recommended conditions, is consistent with the intention for commercial developments in the suburban neighbourhoods.”

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Originally published as Councillors oppose Coombabah surgery despite hundreds of elderly signing petition of support