Buddina beachfront building height considerations revealed in Sunshine Coast Council RTI release

Internal Sunshine Coast Council emails reveal planners flagged a development company’s beachfront land ownership ahead of a key decision on building heights.

A development company’s significant beachfront property ownership was flagged as Sunshine Coast Council planners prepped for a key debate about building heights.

Hundreds of pages worth of emails released through Right to Information revealed the discussions on proposed height limit changes at Buddina Urban Village ahead the April, 2022, council meeting.

Some residents and divisional councillor Joe Natoli want height limits reduced from 21m to 12m at the northern end, which would affect 19 blocks at Iluka Ave, Pacific Blvd and Talinga St.

Building heights have become a hot topic since Pacific Diamond 88, directed by Rob Scott, gained approval in 2019 for the 73-unit The Beachfront development.

Mr Natoli said he was surprised when council planners did not recommend a height reduction as part of planning scheme amendments in April.

Councillor Joe Natoli wants to see building heights reduced from 21m to 12m at beachfront Buddina properties.

A majority of councillors voted in favour of Mr Natoli’s alternate motion for the reduction.

Emails between council planning staff revealed Mr Scott’s land ownership was flagged in the months leading up to the meeting.

One email in early-January from a planning manager said, “12 of the 19 lots in the north Buddina precinct are owned by the same owner … not that land ownership should be a major consideration, but it is something to at least be aware of”.

Property records show that between July 2019 and July 2021 Mr Scott snapped up 10 of the 19 blocks for a combined $21.17m.

One Iluka Ave homeowner, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he would prefer a 12m height limit.

He was concerned about his ability to install solar power due to nearby development.

Tenant Steph Picanso worried the area could “look like the Gold Coast” if more high rises went ahead.

Ms Picanso said she moved to the Iluka Ave home after her previous two rentals were purchased by developers.

Another Iluka Ave tenant, Peta Dinsdale worried retaining the 21m building height would change the character of the area.

McGrath Projects Queensland’s Jo Prince-Gillies said 55 of The Beachfront apartments had been sold to locals, including some from the same street or within five kilometres.

She said it would create more housing options.

“(It) is quite incredible to have so much support from the local community,” Ms Prince-Gillies said.

“As the rental crisis continues to affect our community, many local nearby homeowners are downsizing from their homes into the beachfront.

“We see this as a positive for the Coast.”

Emails between planning staff in February showed the northern end was removed from their recommendation as it was “still intended to be developed for higher density residential accommodation”.

A council spokesman said the northern end was recommended to be considered as part of the new planning scheme along with other beachside areas.

They said ownership arrangements “were a matter to be aware of but not a consideration”.

Sunshine Coast Council has proposed to change building heights at the northern end of Buddina Urban Village where a development company owns the majority of the blocks. Photo: Patrick Woods.

The issue was brought back to the council chambers in June when councillor Peter Cox called to have the northern end dealt with under the new planning scheme, as planners recommended in April.

Mr Cox and Mayor Mark Jamieson did not vote on the matter in April.

Housing availability, population growth and planning history were among the reasons Mr Cox wanted it to be reconsidered, but his attempt was unsuccessful with councillors voting against it six to five.

During the debate it was estimated that a height reduction could result in the loss of 30 to 60 dwellings across the 19 lots.

A council spokesman said the proposed changes were sent to the planning minister on June 24, 2022.

If approved it would be released for public consultation.

Mr Scott could not be reached for comment.