Sekisui House Yaroomba legal battle ends after Development Watch withdrawal
A key community group involved in an almost decade-long battle against a developer’s $900m plans for prime Sunshine Coast land has withdrawn after a major sale was finalised.
Sunshine Coast
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An eight-year legal battle over prime beachfront land appears finished after a key community group withdrew from its latest Supreme Court action, pinning its hopes on a fresh start with new landowners.
Development Watch advised late Tuesday, October 10, that it had withdrawn from the Supreme Court action, ahead of a looming court hearing in November against Japanese development firm Sekisui House.
The community and developer had been at loggerheads for the best part of the last decade over plans for a $900m, five-star hotel and housing development on the 18.5ha parcel of prime coastal land at Yaroomba.
But a recent sale of the land to Victorian-based Dennis Family Corporation appears to have broken the deadlock, as Development Watch advised it had withdrawn from the legal action following the sale.
A statement provided by Development Watch president Lyn Saxton said the departure of Sekisui House had given hope to the local community that the new owners would deliver a project that abided by the planning scheme.
A meeting on Sunday attended by Development Watch committee members, Friends of Yaroomba and legal advisers determined the decision to withdraw.
Ms Saxton said the group felt they were “better off” after researching the Dennis Family Corporation.
“We also doubted they would want to build a hotel and serviced apartments (and perhaps now they wouldn‘t have a hotel operator on board either),” she said.
Ms Saxton said the decision to withdraw had been unanimous from the group.
“We feel in some ways we have won because Sekisui House have packed their bags and left,” she said.
Ms Saxton said she hoped the council realised “they must stand by their Planning Scheme” but she said she expected a sense of trepidation to remain in the community for some time, as they still had no certainty.
“But we are going to try and convince them to be positive,” she said.
“DW (Development Watch) has already reached out to the Dennis Family Corporation and looks forward to working with them in the best interests of the wonderful Yaroomba community.
“A favourable outcome could result in much needed housing and job opportunities for the Sunshine Coast.”
A spokeswoman for Sekisui House said at this time the firm had “no further plans for development on the Sunshine Coast”.
The Dennis Family Corporation declined to answer questions about its plans for the site earlier this week.
It remained tight lipped on Wednesday, stating the Yaroomba Beach site “presents an exciting opportunity to grow our portfolio in the region”.
The sale of the controversial site settled on September 28, after almost 20 international and national offers flowed from the expressions of interest campaign.
Ms Saxton thanked the community for its “undying support and tireless energy” over the past eight years and said the group would continue to pay attention to any development applications in the area “clearly outside what our community expects under its town plan”.
“In the meantime, for the Yaroomba site, we look forward to a much better relationship between the community and the new owner,” she said.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesman said the approval issued by the Planning and Environment Court would now take effect.
“The development conditions, which were agreed between the parties during the initial Planning and Environment Court appeal process, along with the Infrastructure Agreement that was executed on 29 June 2018, will regulate development over the site,” the spokesman said.
“The current development approval authorises certain development to occur and establishes a framework for more detailed development applications to be made to give effect to the current approval.
“In this context, the current development approval establishes a regulatory framework that effectively overrides aspects of the current planning scheme.
“However, the current planning scheme continues to apply to the subject land and would be a relevant consideration in the assessment of any new development proposal that may be made over the site.”
Friends of Yaroomba president Jim Moore said in a statement that while they were “naturally disappointed” with the outcome they were proud of the role the group had played, likening the saga to a Shakespearean tragedy.
He said the community had raised more than $600,000 in its fight and he said the group hoped the new landowners recognised the strength of the community’s resolve and any future development was designed to complement the area’s natural assets.
“Together we showed that the voice of the people does matter,” he said.
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