Court green light means all go for Yaroomba resort

Council, developer and tourism industry welcome approval being upheld, but protesters left devastated

The Yaroomba fight against the Sekisui multi-residential and hotel development has been dismissed.

A LONG-RUNNING community battle to overturn Sunshine Coast Council’s approval of the controversial Sekisui House Yaroomba development proposal has been lost.

The Planning and Environment Court in a 125-page judgment handed down by Judge Nicole Kefford has dismissed an appeal by Development Watch Inc and Sunshine Coast Environment Council.

Friends of Yaroomba raised more than $400,000 in the community to mount the failed challenge to the council’s approval.

Sunshine Coast Council was first respondent to the appeal with SH Coolum Pty Ltd as co-respondent.

The development application will now be approved by the council with its original conditions adjusted in relation to nesting turtle protection and road and traffic access.

Sekisui House Yaroomba Beach project manager Evan Aldridge said the sales and construction program would be developed once the conditions of approval were finalised by the court.

“This is a great milestone and despite the change in the economic environment we are committed to try to get the project started as soon as possible,” he said.

“The Sunshine Coast can now look forward to the development of a world-class tourist destination and a residential coastal village in an exceptional beachside location.

“Sekisui House thanks local residents, local businesses, industry and commerce associations, and State and Federal Government agencies who have supported the Yaroomba Beach project over the past five years.”

He said the development would drive new tourism to the Coast, including conferences and events.

“The court has found this development will deliver both economic and community benefits. “One of those benefits will be hundreds of jobs available for both construction and ongoing operation of the first stage.”

The first stage of development will deliver the hotel, serviced apartments, shops, cafes, surf lifesaving facilities, Coastal Discovery Centre and parklands.

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said it was clear the council had made the correct decision in 2018 based on the advice of its planning staff.

“Judge Kefford accepted the council’s submission that the proposed development was in the public interest and in fact stated that in all of the circumstances of this case approval of the proposed development is in the public interest,” Cr Jamieson said.

Development Watch Inc campaigner Lyn Saxton said its barristers were now going through the judgement to determine if there were grounds to appeal.

“Development Watch is devastated, and I am sure there will be over 9000 people feeling the same once they hear the news,” she said.

“I don’t understand how this (development) could be in the public interest when 9000 plus residents were against it.

“The Sunshine Coast Council must be feeling very pleased at having defeated their own community.”

Visit Sunshine Coast chairman David Ryan said the decision was a major win for the region’s tourism sector and the overall community which would deliver a 220 room, 5-Star Westin Coolum Resort & Spa, serviced apartments and extensive conference and recreation facilities just 10 minutes from the airport.

“The effective go-ahead for the Westin resort couldn’t come at a more opportune time for the beleaguered Sunshine Coast tourism sector,” he said.

“The region is in desperate need for new high-quality tourism accommodation, but we equally believe that it is essential for projects to be appropriate to the Sunshine Coast’s character.

“The developers of the Westin have gone out of their way to incorporate industry-leading environmental initiatives, and significantly changed their original plans as a result of community and council feedback.”

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