Whitsunday council rejects Proserpine car wash, postpones Bowen accommodation proposal
A proposed business for Proserpine’s main street and a new accommodation for Bowen have been rejected by the council after a lengthy discussion between councillors.
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Whitsunday councillors have reacted with shock and concern at a proposal to transform a furniture store in Bowen into a new accommodation option for backpackers and tourists.
T Tran Vu, V Huynh Thi Dang and M T Ma put in an application to transform the commercial store at 37 George St into a short-stay lodging for up to 18 people.
Councillor Mike Brunker said the application offered just one toilet for the 18 guests, expressing bewilderment how such a proposal even made it to the table for a vote.
“I just for the life of me can’t see how it would work,” he said.
Planning documents state the single-storey building opposite the Central Hotel would be configured with four private rooms, five common areas, office, lunch area, kitchen, and amenities.
“The proposed amenities will partly be provided underneath the existing dwelling, the documents state.
Mrs Wright said the address was a “prestigious” one in Bowen and argued this type of accommodation was not suitable.
“This is jamming people into an old furniture shop,” she said.
“I don’t think it is well-suited for that area of town.”
Concerns about crowded parking at the intersection were also raised.
The councillors decided to table the proposal rather than reject it outright to gather more information and organise a further site inspection.
Huynh and co bought the property in February 2021 for $425,000.
A short walk from the ocean, it was once home to Bowen Furnishing Co, Robbo’s Bowen Furnishers and a homemaker centre.
The councillors also voted to knock back a separate proposal new car wash for Proserpine.
Chapman Group Enterprise applied to develop a new three-bay car wash on Main Street, with an exit out to Davey Ave.
Newly-elected councillor Clay Bauman expressed concerns about excessive traffic flowing out to the avenue.
Councillor Collins also expressed concerns about water flow from the car wash.
The council voted 4-3 to reject the proposal, with councillors Bauman, Jan Clifford, Mike Brunker and John Collins voting against, and Mayor Julie Hall and councillors Michelle Wright and Gary Simpson in favour.
The meeting agenda states the council considered the car wash at an earlier meeting in December, but tabled the matter for a final decision to organise a site inspection.
While two developments were knocked back, the meeting confirmed a new fire station fronting Shute Harbour Road would go ahead following a decision from Deputy Premier Steven Miles on December 23, 2022.
In a letter to Whitsunday Council CEO Rod Ferguson dated January 6, Mr Miles said he had made a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation for the new station at 2-6 Banksia Court in Cannonvale.
“The MID facilitates the construction of a new single-storey station, three-bay engine room, shed, covered training pad, carparking and landscaping,” Mr Miles writes.
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