45m tall unit complex to go ahead despite more than 100 residents objecting

More than 50 residents stormed out of a council meeting today after councillors voted in favour of a controversial high-rise unit complex that will be more than double the height allowed in the planning scheme.

Derek Catterall with neighbours of the development site bounded by Kate Street, Lilla Street, and Gayundah Esplanade in Woody Point. Photo: AAP /Richard Walker

The site of the former Palace Hotel will be transformed into a 45m tall unit complex much to the dismay of Woody Point residents.

Moreton Bay Regional Council gave Traders in Purple the green light to construct a 15-storey building, with 158 units, a cafe and 13 two-bedroom townhouses at 2 and 8 Gayundah Esplanade, during Tuesday’s council meeting.

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The developer already had permission to build a nine-storey building with 174 apartments.

Close to 50 Peninsula residents, including members of the Newport Action Group, attended the meeting.

Residents gather outside of the Moreton Bay Regional Council Strathpine office ahead of council voting on Traders in Purple's development application for 2 and 8 Gayundah Esplanade, Woody Point. Photo Erin Smith

A total of 145 residents objected to the application – many citing an issue with the building being more than double the height recommended in the council’s Planning Scheme.

Councillor Koliana Winchester (Div 5) was one of three councillors to vote against the officer’s recommendation to approve the application.

“A planning scheme should not be changed, week in and week out at the whim of the council,” Cr Winchester said.

“Residents have every right to believe that the council will protect their neighbourhood and lifestyle by sticking to the plan.”

Cr Winchester’s speech to councillors was met with loud applause from the residents in the gallery.

Traders in Purple plan to erect a replica of the Gayundah at their new unit complex at Woody Point.

As was Cr Peter Flannery (Div 2) when he announced he would not be supporting the development.

Cr Houghton (Div 6) argued the council had no grounds to vote against the application as officers had decided it met the planning outcomes.

He said it would be difficult to fight the refusal if the developer took the council to the Planning and Environment Court.

Other councillors commented the development application provided more than the required number of carparks, with 316 – two per unit.

Woody Point resident Julia Nuske said councillors were more worried about the application being taken to court “than listening to their ratepayers and residents”.

“Developments need to be within the planning scheme, developers just keep pushing to have it higher and higher,” she said.

The proposed development site bounded by Kate Street, Lilla Street, and Gayundah Esplanade in Woody Point. Photo: AAP /Richard Walker

Fellow resident Derek Catterall was not impressed with council’s decision.

“Council have totally disregarded local residents’ concerns regarding excessive proposed building heights,” he said. “This sets a dangerous precedent for future developments in the Moreton Bay region.”

Newport Action Group president Kenlie Williams said she was disappointed by council’s decision.

“The decision made by Council today has left a disappointed and disillusioned community reeling in its wake,” she said.

“It is concerning that Council’s role as the ‘final check’ was negated. A community was ignored and a decision that rejected its concerns was made.

“This is not what any of us expects from our elected representatives.”

A concept image of the 15-storey development at Woody Point. IMAGE: Rothelowman

Traders in Purple director Charles Daoud said the team was pleased with the outcome.

“We have taken great care to make positive changes to our proposed plans to ensure there will be no impact on privacy or overshadowing of the surrounding neighbours by reducing the overall density of the development and scaling back the number of levels in the areas where residents would have been most impacted,” he said.

Earlier this year the council voted against a developer’s proposal to transform Newport Marina with two six-storey unit blocks.

Like the Woody Point development the application attracted more than 100 submissions from residents against the application.

Council voted against the development with some councillors stating they voted against the officer’s recommendation as it did not meet the planning scheme.

This matter is currently before the Planning and Environment Court.