Residents air concerns over proposed beachfront Buddina mansion

A proposed “contemporary” beachfront mansion has raised concerns from some Sunshine Coast residents regarding the impact on an endangered turtle species’ nesting location.

Artist concepts of the proposed mansion in Buddina.

A proposed beachfront mansion in Buddina is sparking concerns about the potential impact on turtle nesting and surrounding homes, with the building designed to be 3.5m above the permitted height.

A development application lodged with Sunshine Coast Council was opened for public submissions as the plans breached the permitted height of 8.5m.

The site for the development on Pacific Blvd is close to Buddina beach, known as a significant nesting habitat on the Sunshine Coast for critically endangered loggerhead turtles.

The existing three-storey building on the block was previously approved by council, recording a height of 10.5m.

The existing dwelling on the block is also an "over-height built form" at 10.5m. Picture: Google Street View 2021.

Some neighbouring properties also stand above the permitted 8.5m, the development application states.

The proposed “high-quality contemporary architecturally design” features a four-storey home standing at 12m, including a secondary dwelling to be built at a “sub-basement” level.

The building would reach 9.7m high from the existing surface level.

“The proposed dwelling does not give the appearance of considerable mass or bulk in comparison to the existing dwelling or surrounding built forms,” the application stated.

The design includes a garage near the back of the property for a visually appealing street view.

A total of nine submissions opposing the development were handed into council, five of which include concerns about the proposed mansion’s lighting negatively impacting turtle hatchlings.

One Buddina resident sent in a submission requesting turtle lighting conditions would be considered in the approval of the project.

This would include the artificial lighting to be “designed, installed, positioned and managed” in order to avoid disruptions to the wildlife and contribute to the “accumulated sky glow,” the submission stated.

Another resident expressed concerns about noise pollution should the secondary dwelling be used as an Airbnb.

The submission called for the matter to be clarified for neighbours, with some councils discouraging Airbnbs in the face of Queensland’s housing crisis.

The building is proposed to be 9.7m high from the existing surface level, excluding the sub-basement second dwelling.

Artist concepts for the proposed beachfront mansion on Pacific Boulevard, Buddina.

The height of the home exceeding the permitted 8.5m limit has also raised concerns about natural sunlight, breeze and privacy.

A submission stated the adjacent home also standing above the height limit does not cause such issues with a large tennis court installed at the back leaving space between surrounding properties.

Concerns were also raised involving erosion and rainfall run-off to properties backing onto the home as a result of the proposed concrete garage driveway.

A statement from the owners of the property said they would “continue to work with our consultants and council to ensure the new home is appropriate and consistent with that of our neighbours while appropriately addressing any concerns raised”.