Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade tower redevelopment gets green light from council
Councillors have voted to approve the redevelopment of the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade despite a last-minute bid to make major changes. WAS IT THE RIGHT DECISION?
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A LAST minute bid to save a large slice of the Old Burleigh Theatre as public open space has failed.
Councillors at an earlier planning committee meeting were divided about a new 14-level tower project at Burleigh Heads which would save the facade, voting 4-3 to back the development.
At a full council meeting on Tuesday, area councillor Daphne McDonald put forward the proposal which included new tougher conditions to save the theatre’s foyer.
Cr McDonald sought at least 1000sqm of arcade and gallery space “to recognise the building’s social importance as a place of gathering and entertainment”.
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The veteran councillor believed the securing of the area would preserve the building’s cultural heritage significance and “ensure its values are protected”.
The developer had ensured maintaining the building’s facade but inside there would be a 12m high atrium.
“I think we’ve missed a huge opportunity to make this a showcase for the city - it’s a first,” Cr McDonald said.
Under the councillor’s proposal, the ground floor of the building would be devoted to a public gallery, along with some sections on the second floor.
But senior council officers, when asked for advice by Mayor Tom Tate, concluded the move was unlawful.
It would require a new land use and the project would have to be advertised again.
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Cr McDonald gained no support for her motion. Colleague Peter Young indicated he would have liked to support her but it was “flawed” and “leaves us vulnerable to defend an appeal”
An amendment put forward by Cr Hermann Vorster which sought to ensure graffiti would be removed from the building’s facade and car parking signage put up was supported by a majority of councillors.
Only councillors McDonald, Peter Young and Brooke Patterson opposed. The development was given the green light.
MAY 13: DIVISIONS AT PLANNING MEETING
COUNCILLORS are divided on a new 14-level tower project at Burleigh Heads which will see the facade of the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade saved.
In a stunning twist to the long running development saga, the debate at a planning committee meeting on Thursday showed many councillors are not satisfied with the new plans which couple the theatre’s facade with a new residential building.
On the officer’s recommendation to approve the new building in Goodwin Terrace, the vote was 4-3 in favour.
Those councillors in support were planning chair Cameron Caldwell, Deputy Mayor Donna Gates, Hermann Vorster and Gail O’Neill.
Councillors against were William Owen-Jones, Peter Young and Mark Hammel. Daphne McDonald, Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden and Brooke Patterson attended but are not on the committee and cannot vote.
The fate of the project will be decided at a vote of full council at a meeting next Tuesday.
Cr McDonald raised concerns about car parking concerns, and was supported by Cr Owen-Jones who has sought minor modifications to the planning application.
Cr Young was critical of the design saying “it looks disjointed and two completely different buildings”.
Many councillors have concerns about the impact of a future light rail station on the neighbouring site, and how it will change street views of historic building.
Cr Caldwell reminded councillors that the heritage building could have been lost had they not intervened and sought protection of its facade.
“I think this will be in years to come seen as an iconic addition to our skyline,” he said.
Cr Vorster spoke passionately in favour of the outcome and urged colleagues to support the development.
“Principally, if we don’t back this application I don’t believe we are backing process,” he said.
“And I think future decisions by this council or future councils might err on the side of not pursuing heritage protection. I think that would be disappointing.
“Because it’s an incredibly good process that led to a good outcome, and if we falter at the finish line I don’t think we will be protecting much more in the city.”
EARLIER: ‘REVAMP AN INSULT’
A LEADER of a resident group has sent a stinging email to city councillors on the eve of them backing plans to approve a tower development at the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade.
The Bulletin can reveal councillors will receive a report at a planning committee meeting on Thursday where officers recommend approval of a 14-level development on the 1667sqm site fronting Goodwin Terrace and the Gold Coast Highway.
New photographs show how the facade of the original building will be protected.
A group of Coast residents opposed to the development led by community activist Nicolle Archer had put forward an alternative design which would create a “cultural hub”.
Ms Archer in correspondence to councillors wrote: “Please excuse my very late email regarding the proposed development of the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade. Unfortunately, the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting was not made available online until yesterday.
“I write to you to highlight some issues regarding this development. Submissions aside, let’s talk common sense.
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“Simply, this proposal does not meet community expectations. It’s an insult to the city for the applicant to spruik it sought community consultation on this project. It didn’t. Media responses are testament to this.”
Despite the Queensland Heritage Act, the council was placing emphasis on “the fabric element of significant landmarks” on the Coast, Ms Archer wrote.
“There is more to heritage than simply assessing the fabric of a “place”,” she said.
Ms Archer asked whether this was “a box ticking exercise councillors lack fortitude or knowledge of challenging without further training of legislative requirements”.
“An opportunity presents to go beyond legislative requirements to forge the spirit of this vision of this document. “
“To surrender public space to private interests for the first time in the history of this building — can we do better.
“Is this going to be a tick n flick thing or is CoGC (City of Gold Coast) going to recognise this site’s significance and potential as a cultural hub as applicant claims they are creating.”
COUNCIL OFFICERS RECOMMEND APPROVAL
A GOLD Coast planning first where the heritage protected Old Burleigh Theatre will be retained in a new residential tower is recommended for council approval.
The Bulletin can reveal council officers in a report are recommending councillors give the tick to a 14-level development proposed by Weiya Holdings on 1667sqm site fronting Goodwin Terrace and the Gold Coast Highway.
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New photographs to be provided to councillors at a planning committee meeting on Wednesday show how the facade of the original building, protected by a temporary planning law, will be retained in the new residential tower.
“The cultural significance of the subject site has been considered and the development is considered to preserve the building’s cultural heritage significance,” the officer’s report said.
“The proposed tower is considered to provide an excellent standard of appearance, and positively contribute to the local character and city image.”
In a critical finding, the council’s office of Architecture and Heritage had consistent views to those offered by planning officers.
The Office of Architecture and Heritage noted the area had a mix of low and high rise buildings but the tower was similar in height to other tall apartment blocks.
“The intensity of the tower in relation to the site will be more than double that of the surrounding tower, however at 41.7 per cent site cover, it nearly satisfies the acceptable outcome in accordance with the zone code,” the architecture office report said.
“The proposed development is appropriately designed and sited, and incorporates landscaping on all levels which supports an attractive appearance that also maintains a sense of openness in the skyline and views to the headland.
“The proposal is therefore considered to present an acceptable bulk and scale which retains the important elements of place.”
The project has divided both the community and councillors. The development application received 86 objections and one letter of support.
Deputy Mayor Donna Gates had earlier described council’s bid to save the theatre arcade a farce because there was “minimal evidence of original 1930s picture theatre”.
“When you go further into the report, there is a tiny wall that is the only remaining possible, not even confirmed, 1930s aspect of this building and there’s no evidence of the early theatre. I just can’t believe we would be going and adding all these layers of red tape to someone who wants to make an investment in this city,” she said, at a previous meeting.
Originally published as Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade tower redevelopment gets green light from council
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