Donor’s generosity boosts group’s fight against high-rise

A generous donor is expected to give a boost to legal funds for a community group taking on the development of a beachfront apartment proposal on the Coast.

Aerial view taking in Buddina beach, Point Cartwright and Mooloolaba. Photo: Lachie Millard

A generous donor is expected to give a boost to a community group’s funds for its legal challenge against the development of a beachfront apartment on the Sunshine Coast.

Friends of Buddina is continuing its challenge in the Planning and Environment Court against Pacific Diamond 88 over its bid for a seven-storey apartment at Buddina Beach.

As crucial court dates loom a new donor is expected to provide some funding relief for the community group.

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The anonymous donor has promised to match donations made to Friends of Buddina between November 1 and 10, of up to $5000.

A two-day court hearing is scheduled for November 26 and 27, where parties will outline their arguments and the legislation and authorities relating to those arguments.

Sunshine Coast Council is a co-respondent to developer Pacific Diamond 88.

Plans for Pacific Diamond 88's 73-apartment development at Buddina Beach.

Friends of Buddina has long argued the development breaches the Planning Scheme.

The group says the development’s lighting would negatively impact the nearby endangered loggerhead turtles’ nesting habitat and the building height, excess site-coverage and density would impact neighbours’ views, vistas, amenity and privacy.

Friends of Buddina member Lesley Dimmock said while it was a challenge in the current climate to raise funds, the group was happy with its progress.

She said the donor’s offer was “fabulous news” but hinged on further financial support from the community.

The seven-storey, 21m-tall development was approved by the council in September 2019 and would be built across six residential blocks on Iluka Ave and Talinga St.

Some Buddina residents are opposed to a high-rise development planned for the area. Friends of Buddina spokesman Terry Boyce (front) is pictured with the other members.

The community group argues the council’s approval was “invalid and of no legal effect” and orders the approval be “remitted to council to reconsider according to law”.

Pacific Diamond 88 is headed by Robert Scott and Sam Kassis.

In July the council approved minor changes to conditions, put forward by the developer, in an attempt to reduce its impact on nesting turtles.

As part of the changed conditions, automated blinds will close at 8pm for eight months of the year for turtle nesting season, all windows and doors will be tinted and the developer would be required to complete surveys to monitor artificial light before and after the apartments are built.

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