Gold Coasters are protesting the $350m development of the Kirra Beach Hotel

Residents on the southern Gold Coast are protesting against plans to expand a $380m redevelopment of one of the city’s most famous pubs. See where.

Residents on the southern Gold Coast are protesting against plans to expand a $380m redevelopment of one of the city’s most famous pubs.

KTQ Group’s Kirra Point redevelopment includes four towers on the old site of the Kirra Beach Hotel.

Signs for the project now show a request for an increase in building height of 11.2m on one tower and 5.1m on another along with three additional apartment units and 14 more hotel suites.

Other changes include an increase in retail and commercial floor space, more parking and an indoor sport and recreation centre.

Unit owners opposed to KTQ Group’s redevelopment say they have been faced with “never-ending submissions by the developer to grow this contentious development”.

Artist impression of Kirra Point, the development replacing the demolished Kirra Beach Hotel.

“There are now concessions on concessions to the point that the Gold Coast City Council planning scheme may as well be thrown out the door,” a nearby unit owner said.

Long-term resident John Henson revealed more than 25 Kirra “locals” had outlined their concerns in letters to council’s planning department.

“The core issues are the over development of the site that exceeds the Town Plan, and the number of concessions in that they are now asking for concessions on concessions,” he said.

“The notice of new proposal was located so as to be almost invisible and the developer letter being hand delivered only two working days prior to submissions deadline.”

A resident in a written objection said the plan to move a pool-bar area from level two of a building to the rooftop would create too much noise.

“The previous outdoor bar at the Kirra Hotel was continuously flaunting the noise restrictions and resulted in many complaints from neighbours,” the resident said.

Artist impression of the $380 million development replacing Kirra Beach Hotel

Residents from the Grande Corniche apartments on Kirra hill, in a lengthy letter to city planners, asked council to reject the development application.

They believe the resort hotel should be located at Marine Parade at Coolangatta because its location at Kirra will take away business from struggling operators on the border.

“There is already a congestion issue along Marine Parade during summer and during events in Coolangatta,” residents wrote.

The development would provide for 540 carparking spaces increasing traffic gridlock. Public submissions have closed and a decision was due to be made by council in December but will now be delayed until the New Year.

KTQ development director Jeremy Holmes said much had changed since the company bought the site in 2011 and that residents’ concerns were at the heart of its handling of the situation.

“Circumstances and environments have changed since we originally purchased the property in 2011 that require further amendments to the masterplan which we believe will enhance the project and create better community outcomes,” he said.

Artist impression of Kirra Point, the development replacing the demolished Kirra Beach Hotel.

“Since the Masterplan was approved in 2019, we have experienced a global pandemic which has evolved buyer and consumer behaviours relating to retail, services, and apartment purchasing.

“We have adapted to these changes to ensure the project is relevant when delivered to the community and we are very conscious of the need to get this right and we are very keen to see this delivered in such a way as it ultimately becomes a fantastic asset for Kirra to be enjoyed by locals and visitors.

“In making amendments we are also conscious of community impact and are endeavouring to deliver the overall project in two stages, not four, to reduce construction time and deliver the new amenity for the region sooner.”

The Bulletin revealed in October the project had been redesigned and fast-tracked in a bid to cope with “dynamic” property market conditions.

The move, first earmarked earlier this year, will mean the precinct will be completed in 2026, three years ahead of schedule.

The current Kirra Point masterplan was approved by Gold Coast City Council in 2019. Construction of Stage 1, the 188-unit Miles Residences, and the redevelopment of the Kirra Beach Hotel is currently underway and scheduled for completion at the end of 2023.

The Kirra Beach Hotel was closed in February 2021 after 65 years.

Figures lodged with council in early 2021 showed more than 1200 direct and indirect jobs will be created full-time, and more than 840 construction jobs by the project.

Once complete, it is expected to put $61.4m annually into the Coast economy.

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Originally published as Gold Coasters are protesting the $350m development of the Kirra Beach Hotel