Club Bargara seeks council approval for two major developments

A former town planner has flagged concerns a six-storey development planned at the Bargara Golf Club will set an ‘ugly precedent’ and claimed it will be assessed under the same rules as the controversial Esplanade Jewel project.

A former town planner has flagged fears a proposed multistorey development at the Bargara Golf Club will open the door to similar projects near the iconic turtle conservation park.

The revamped golf club offering “panoramic” ocean view accommodation and modern amenities is part of a newly submitted development application to Bundaberg Council.

Club Bargara at Bargara Golf Club wants approval for two major developments to be built onto the existing site.

These include a four-level high rise resort-style facility featuring 100 hotel rooms and size large top floor apartments above a revamped Club Bargara.

Artist's impression of a proposed major twin development for the Bargara esplanade which includes a pool, rooftop garden and wellness centre.

The second building would accommodate 48 apartments for seniors living and a new clubhouse.

A pool, rooftop garden and wellness centre are included in the designs.

News of the application comes after council held community consultation on proposed changes to building heights that would allow five storey buildings along the Bargara esplanade, and six storey buildings one street away from the major strip.

Bargara residents have accused council of using “sneaky” tactics for the consultation, including holding it during school holidays.

Many residents also claimed they had “no idea” council was seeking feedback.

One of those residents is former planner George Martin, who spent years working with development applications and community consultation.

Mr Martin said the high-rise development would sit in a mostly residential zone.

“The golf course and it’s associated land sits in the planning scheme sport and recreation zone and coincidentally in this case, it happens to be a buffer between high density to the north, a high density residential zone, and the medium residential zone along Kelly’s Beach,” he said.

“It is hard to understand how this application is code assessable; that means it’s going to be decided by the CEO and there’s no chance for the comment to public on it, so it is another code assessable application, just like the Esplanade Jewel project was a number of years ago.

“I really don’t think controversial developments like this should slide through with so little scrutiny.

“My major concern is approval of the six storey beach club part of the development, it sits at the northern end of Kelly’s Beach.

“If approved, it would set a precedent for exceeding the three storey or 11m maximum which is accepted by the planning scheme as being the norm for a medium density zone, so it will set an ugly precedent at the top end of Kelly’s Beach.”

News of the twin-development application for the Bargara Golf Club comes after council held community consultation on proposed changes to building heights that would allow five storey buildings along the Bargara esplanade, and six storey buildings one street away from the major strip.

Mr Martin further revealed that the club had to borrow just under $1m for the development.

“I can see plenty of sleepless nights ahead for the treasurer and finance committee members (of the golf club) after extensive borrowings to fund this application and those extensive borrowings of almost 1m suggest that if they had to borrow for the application, their reserves can’t be very high, so they’re going to be completely reliant on a developer partner for the project funding.

“How much equity the golf club ends up with is a very large question and it makes me wonder, will this be the last stage before the land that was gifted 100 years ago ends up being residential development all the way through?”

Turtle conservation and protection has also been a priority for residents who believe more high rises could contribute to more artificial light which worsens impacts on turtle season.

Disturbances and danger from land and sea predators is lowest under the cover of darkness for turtles, making them vulnerable to disturbance and disorientation from artificial lights, which can be from the collective glow of lights from a coastal community.

Bundaberg Council did not directly respond to questions about whether recommendations would be given to the developers to “reduce the glow”, as per council’s “reduce the urban glow” project, and if people staying at the accommodation would have to abide by lighting rules during turtle season to make sure the animals are not impacted.