$50 million Newport marina project set for appeal after six year battle

A group of 1500 members against the development of a $50 million hotel north of Brisbane, are committed to appeal a rezoning decision by council that effectively makes way for the hotel precinct to proceed.

Around 1500 members of an action group against a $50 million hotel proposal at a marina north of Brisbane, say their trust in council has been betrayed, as they prepare to continue a six-year fight against the mega development.

City of Moreton Bay approved the rezoning of an area at the Newport Estate and Marina from industry back to its ‘original intent’, as an area that can facilitate marine industry, residential accommodation and associated uses.

This rezoning includes 158 Griffith Road, Newport and allows the Kindred Group and Joshua Kindred, to seek approval to invest $50 million in development of a hotel, bars, restaurants and short-term accommodation, despite a six-year battle from hundreds of local residents against the project.

Newport Action Group president Kenlie Williams said the 1500 members felt they had ‘been sold down the river by council’, saying the City of Moreton Bay ignored its planning scheme and promise to listen to the Newport community.

The Newport Action Group held a meeting on November 14 and voted to appeal City Of Moreton Bay’s rezoning, which would see the development once again before the Planning and Environment Court.

Kindred Developments application for six-storeys of apartments at the Newport Marina. Picture: File

In 2017, Mr Kindred originally lodged an application to build two 10 storey towers, one a residential unit tower and the other for short-stay accommodation, in August 2018.

Public outcry against the development led the Kindred Group to alter it to a six-storey unit complex at the Newport Marina, proposed to include 54 units, a communal space, gym, pool and lounge.

Council narrowly voted against approving the development in August 2019, citing it went against the planning scheme at Newport.

“When submissions were lodged on the development application, 304 were in opposition and 38 were in support, yet the 38 were the ones council has listened to,”Ms Williams said.

“I feel our trust has been breached, the council has ignored its planning scheme.

“It’s basically the same DA they rejected four years ago, this year they’ve approved it.

Newport residents are not giving up the fight against development on the Newport Marina site. Picture: File

“It’s a quick fix to hotel affordability and accommodation.”

A City of Moreton Bay spokesperson noted that the preliminary approval for a material change of use of the Newport land does not authorise development to proceed, and subsequent approvals would then be required for the Council to authorise any development.

The rezoning update now makes any onsite marine industry Code Accessible which enhances an opportunity for prospective marine businesses, but also limit large industrial development.

At the same time, the rezoning update does allow land uses including shops, function facility, food and drink outlet, indoor sport and recreation, service industry but does not change the the nominated maximum building height for the site, which is 15 metres.

“The Newport Estate and Marina was originally master planned in 1977,” the spokesperson said.

“The precinct has seen a staged approach to development with townhouses, units and houses built across the site.

Artistic impressions of what the Newport Marina development would like like if approved. Picture: File

“Thanks to the material change of use approved by Council, further development of the precinct will attract much-needed investment to the City of Moreton Bay through construction, business, employment, and tourism opportunities.

“The area at 156, 156A and 158 Griffith Road, Newport is currently an industrial site that includes a carpark, toilet facilities and a marina office.

“Council sees the opportunity to revitalise the area and sustainably regulate future development in the precinct as an important step for the future of our polycentric City; lifestyle-focused with a number of interwoven and connected businesses and community centres.”

Joshua Kindred from the Kindred Group said if his proposed development went ahead, it would be the first time in Moreton Bay’s history a hotel would provide guests with direct access to the waters of Moreton Bay.

“The accommodation shortage in the region combined, with potential number of rooms, plus food and beverage offering, with an estimated annual turnover to the region in excess of $20 million per annum, just by council unlocking this one asset,” Mr Kindred said.

“Friends and family visiting the region can go on a whale watching tour, step off the boat into a spectacular bar/restaurant and enjoying their hotel room with views over the bay and north to the Glasshouse Mountains.

“We’ve worked every day for over six years, listening to the needs of the community, council and applied a great vision.

“It’s no wonder 10 of the 11 councilors voted in favour.

“Nine thousand people live in Newport, 8,900 love the vision and approval, 100 are unsure and have resisted however I’m confident they’ll be our first welcomed guests and we know they and their families will love when the vision is delivered.”

The Newport Marina in the year 2000. Picture:File

Ms Williams said she held fears for the future development of Newport, saying the City of Moreton Bay was ignoring its own planning scheme.

“What we have said to the council is we have a planning scheme that took years, we all had input, that’s the one we feel confident in,” Ms Williams said.

“A developer could come and say to council, I have a couple blocks for a multi-story accommodation and they (the council) don’t seem to care how it will impact the community.

“We feel we’re having to fight to live in the world we’ve chosen to live in.

“We are happy for multi-storey developments to take place in areas like Redcliffe that the scheme accommodates for.

“We would love the council to sit down with the community and other parties like the owner of the marina and work out a plan that’s workable for all.”