Airlie Beach high-rise hotel: Whitsunday development director rejects Noosa, Douglas Shire comparisons
Opponents of a high-rise Airlie Beach resort argue it will detract from what makes the town special. But others question what they mean when they talk about its ‘village’ charms.
Whitsunday
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A planning expert has defended Whitsunday Regional Council’s decision to approve a controversial resort development in Airlie Beach, challenging objectors’ claims it will kill the character that sets it apart from other tourist destinations like the Gold Coast.
Community groups Save Our Foreshore and Fight For Airlie this week led a protest at the site of a proposed 12-storey luxury resort complex the council granted preliminary approval at its November 24 meeting.
About 40 people turned out to make it clear they would not support “inappropriate” high-rise development on the foreshore, for reasons including potential negative impacts on the town’s character.
Fight For Airlie spokesman Clay Bauman highlighted Douglas Shire Council’s recent decision to reject a six-storey resort proposal because it was “not in character with the area and local streetscape”.
The Douglas Shire Planning Scheme 2018 rules out new developments above 13.5 metres or three storeys in height, favouring low-rise buildings that are “compatible with the character of the area”.
Noosa Shire’s 2020 Noosa Plan acknowledges “ensuring the maintenance of Noosa’s low-key leafy village feel is important to the Noosa community”, and for this reason limits new buildings to a maximum of 15 metres or four to five storeys in height.
When asked why Whitsunday took a different approach, supporting the proposed 47-metre resort complex, development director Neil McGaffin maintained the decisions and planning controls of other councils had “no relevance” in the debate over Airlie Beach projects, and emphasised there were already several buildings taller than 18 and 20 metres in town, such as the apartment buildings on Hermitage Drive.
In this context, Mr McGaffin argued the proposed five-star resort and conference centre would not detract from but enhance the town, questioning the so-called ‘village’ character some seemed so eager to protect.
“It’s interesting that some people think the village charm exists,” he said.
“I know that there are people that aren't really sure what character Airlie pervades.
“A lot of people don't think that the village atmosphere exists given what’s already here with hotels and marinas and things like that.”
The authors of the 1707 properly-made public submissions to Meridien’s development application will have the opportunity to appeal the council’s decision.
“There was a whole lot of pros and cons and the council just took the view that on balance there was a lot more in it for the community and the economy, particularly with jobs, that it was worth supporting,” Mr McGaffin said.
“There was obviously a lot of people that didn't agree with that but we also think that there’s some people that understand and agree with it.
“Submitters will receive correspondence in time, and we’ll just continue down the [statutory] process.”
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