Hervey Bay RSL Club to build high-end units on Esplanade block

A decades-old beachfront motel will be knocked down to make way for the latest upscale development in the Hervey Bay RSL Club’s ever-expanding property portfolio. PHOTOS.

The Hervey Bay RSL wants to demolish the old Hervey Bay Motel site and build upscale units instead. IMAGE: Insite SJC

A seafront motel will be demolished to make way for a high-end housing development should the Hervey Bay RSL Services and Memorial Club’s latest plans be approved by the local council.

The commercial company behind the club, which also owns Salt and the Bayswater under Oaks Resort, Sea Bar 469 under Allegra Resort and recently launched Hervey Bay Mini Golf at Torquay, wants to build eight multi-level units at 517 the Esplanade (at the corner of Margaret St), Urangan.

Should the application be approved, the existing Hervey Bay Motel including all buildings and the swimming pool, would be removed.

According to planning documents lodged with the Fraser Coast Regional Council by Insite SJC, the development comprises two residential buildings which are to be “of an attractive, contemporary design set within landscaped grounds”.

What the complex would look like from the driveway. IMAGE: Insite SJC

Building One would be home to four units, all with four bedrooms and a single lock up garage across two storeys.

Building Two would also house four units but these would be spread over three storeys and include a double lock up garage.

While the site is currently accessed by both the Esplanade and Margaret St, the new development would have access from Margaret St only.

Artistic impressions show large (in some cases floor to ceiling) glass windows at the front of the units which are in light grey and white tones and surrounded by tall palm trees.

Property records show the RSL purchased the block in December, 2019 for $1.5million.

The land was bought by the previous owner in 1990 for $60,000 and later developed as a motel.

Eight units would be built on the block. IMAGE: Insite SJC

While it’s noted in the documents that the structures on site would cover 44% of the block which “slightly exceeds” the 40% recommended, the application states “the proposed buildings demonstrate substantial articulations, openings and broken wall forms minimising the appearance of mass scale and contributing to visual interest”.

“The proposal provides extensive landscaping opportunities, generous private open spaces areas and compliant carparking”, the application reads.

The frontage setback of the building closest to the Esplanade is said to be “consistent” with neighbouring properties.

The block at the corner of the Esplanade and Margaret St in Hervey Bay.

The location is also listed as a mitigating factor for the amount of space the buildings would cover given all units have verandas and the site is “positioned immediately opposite extensive public Esplanade foreshore, parklands and the beach”.

An expected start date for the demolition works has not yet been flagged.