Sunshine Coast Council denies approving Dicky Beach mansion

A four-storey beachside home known by some as the “Super IGA” has been a hot topic for nearby residents for 18 months. But who approved the mega mansion?

A four-storey mansion under construction on Wilson Ave at Dicky Beach has been the subject of controversy since it began to rise from the shoreline 18 months ago. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A blame game has started over who approved a controversial four-storey Dicky Beach mansion that neighbouring residents call the “Super IGA”.

The Wilson Avenue home, across from the Portobello Resort, has been under construction for more than 18 months.

Residents and store holders along the strip have questioned how a building of that size could be approved in that spot.

One shopkeeper described the building as a “monstrosity” and another said it was referred to as the “Super IGA”.

The building has drawn criticism from Division 2 councillor Terry Landsberg who questioned its height, size, scope and precedence it would set.

Mr Landsberg said the property was approved before he started at Sunshine Coast Council.

An image from 2019 shows extensive excavation for the basement level of the mansion. Picture: Patrick Woods

A Sunshine Coast Council spokeswoman said the building work for the dwelling was approved by a Queensland Building and Construction Commission licensed private building certifier on June 21, 2019.

But a commission spokesman said a building’s size, orientation, style, setback and height were all matters for consideration by the council to decide whether to approve the development or not.

The council spokeswoman said the council had no role to provide building certification services for the work.

“Private building certifiers are responsible for assessing building work, issuing of building work approvals and conducting compliance inspections,” the council spokeswoman said.

“This private building certifier’s legislative responsibility also includes ensuring the building work complies with all relevant provisions of the Building Code of Australia and the Queensland Development Code, such as site cover, setbacks and building height.

She said a development application for the site which was lodged with the council in October 2018 and approved less than a month later related only to acid sulfate soils and coastal protection overlay codes.

An aerial view show progress in on the Wilson Avenue mansion. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The private certifier was Gold Coast based GMA Certifications.

GMA Certifications managing director Geoff Mitchell said it was the council who approved the plans.

Mr Mitchell referenced the 2018 development application.

“It’s totally council’s responsibility for the approval of the site, the size, council gave concession for the siting requirements that close to the boundary,” Mr Mitchell said.

“We couldn’t approve that without council’s consent. It doesn’t meet the norm.”

The commission spokesman agreed with Mr Mitchell.

Drone shots show construction progress on the Dicky Beach mansion in February 2021. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“A Queensland Building and Construction Commission-licensed certifier is only likely to be involved in ensuring the building complies with the National Construction Code and conditions of the relevant development approval, which is set down by the Sunshine Coast Council,” the spokesman said.

“The Queensland Building and Construction Commission has powers to investigate the conduct of licensed certifiers, however, there appears to be no suggestion that the construction is not being undertaken in accordance with the development approval.”

The 2018 development application, compiled by Adams and Sparks, showed provisions for a full-sized tennis court, 40m lap pool, bowling lane and theatre room on the ground floor of the 1251sq m site.

The Daily has unsuccessfully tried to contact the property owners for comment.