Locals warn new Miami development will be a Trojan horse for future high-rise holiday accommodation

If the social media backlash is anything to go by, residents are sharply divided over the real intent behind the nine-storey tower proposed in Miami, says Ann Wason Moore

A nine level tower proposed for Miami on the Gold Coast for affordable accommodation.

Is this a compassionate project unfairly attacked by ‘heartless NIMBYs’? Or, as some locals warn, a Trojan horse for future high-rise holiday accommodation?

If the social media backlash is anything to go by, residents are sharply divided over the real intent behind the nine-storey tower proposed at 11 Kedron Ave, Miami.

The project’s Development Application states the building would be designed for short or medium-term affordable-living opportunities for “transitional or emergency accommodation; low socio-economic people; students; workers; co-living opportunities”.

But in a report delivered to council’s planning and regulation committee, it was noted there was concern ‘the applicant intends to lodge a future change application to remove the rooming accommodation use and instead offer permanent or short-term accommodation’, stating that any future change application would be subject to assessment against the City Plan.

It’s a concern that has been echoed by suspicious residents:

“We all want affordable homes, but this is a private developer – they naturally want to make money yet this development has been spun as a public service,” one said.

A proposed nine level building at Miami on the Gold Coast for affordable accommodation.

“Of course we need more affordable housing but I’ve seen developers use this reasoning for their own profit. Trying to pull at heart strings – I would ask this private developer how much the units will be rented or sold for, who is profiting, what makes the units affordable when not meeting set codes, why can’t they provide affordable homes that follow the rules?” another said.

Certainly the proposal has councillors concerned, although not necessarily for the same reason.

Despite city planners recommending approval for the 109-room private development, it was refused by councillors just weeks ago, on grounds that its proposed height was a 300 per cent uplift on the code-assessable height for the area, and provided only 57 car parks for the 109 units.

However, that vote could be reversed at full council today, which has Gold Coast Youth Service CEO Maria Leebeek worried.

While the council report advised the development would be registered as a ‘Residential Service’ in the form of rooming accommodation with the Department of Housing and Public Works, Ms Leebeek, whose Miami-based organisation helps homeless youth, said this was unlike any emergency accommodation or homeless housing project she knew of.

“This type of development is normally state-funded and registered, but nothing about this proposal has been flagged with anyone in the homelessness sector – it’s highly unusual,” said Ms Leebeek.

A development application before council for a proposed nine level high rise building at Miami for affordable accommodation.

“It suggests we’d put a large project in a low-density neighbourhood with no community engagement, which is not how we operate.

“Our Southport Youth Foyer worked because we consulted widely. This proposal lists just one on-site manager for 109 units supposedly for emergency accommodation – far too much density and complexity for that level of support. We need proper planning and a Homelessness Action Plan, not pop-up projects that damage the sector’s reputation.”

The DA was lodged by 11 Kedron Ave Pty Ltd, whose sole director/secretary is Dee Sullivan, daughter of ex-City Pacific CEO Phil Sullivan, who was declared bankrupt in 2018 with $78 million in debts.

With a market capitalisation of nearly $1 billion at its peak, City Pacific – which had 11,000 mostly elderly investors – collapsed in 2009, and Mr Sullivan was later ordered to repay more than $70 million to creditors.

Ms Sullivan’s company purchased the island site for $3 million in January 2022.

The Miami proposal has received hundreds of objections, with Division 12 Councillor Nick Marshall saying he would advocate for social or affordable housing, but ‘not at nine storeys with not enough carparking’.

As Cr Marshall said to one resident who noted the need for affordable housing in the area: “We certainly do. So build it to the code and the city plan that’s in place for a reason, rather than give a private developer leniency and then cry ‘council corruption’ when there’s an application for a material change of use to become a holiday rental’.”

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Originally published as Locals warn new Miami development will be a Trojan horse for future high-rise holiday accommodation