Close to 1300 residents have their say on Newport Marina development plans

A council has a record number of submissions to trawl through before making a decision on plans to build two 10 storey buildings at a marina north of Brisbane.

Artist's impression of what the Newport Marina development could look like if approved.

A PROPOSAL to build two ten storey unit buildings at a marina north of Brisbane has divided the community.

Moreton Bay Regional Council received 1298 submissions in relation to the Newport Marina Development.

The project is the work of Kindred Group.

Artistic impressions of what the Newport Marina development would like if approved. Image: Rothelowman

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It is seeking a material change of use of the land in order to build two ten storey buildings — one an apartment complex, the other a hotel and function centre.

The development is also proposed to allow for retail, food and drink outlets, an open air plaza and aquarium.

Residents were invited to have their say on the development application between September 5 and 26.

A group of residents against the development formed the Newport Action Group and worked to collect submissions opposing the project.

Members of the Newport Action Group are putting their Christmas lights up early to protect the Newport Marina Development.

Moreton Bay Regional Council planning and development spokesman Councillor Mick Gillam said: “of the number of properly made submissions 662 were in favour of the proposal and 636 were against”.

“The application is currently in the submission review period which will end 26 October 2018.

Council staff will assess the application taking into consideration issues from the submissions before preparing a report for council to consider,” Cr Gillam said.

“A decision is expected to be made by December 6, 2018.”

Moreton Bay Regional Councillor James Houghton (Div 5), whose area includes Newport, said it was the highest number of submissions he had seen for a proposal in his division.

He said it was not unusual though to get close to a 50/50 split.

Cr Houghton said in his opinion the “most likely scenario” was that the proposal would be decided in the Planning and Environment Court.

“If Kindred get approved the Newport Action Group will take it to the Planning and Environment Court. If council votes against it Kindred will take it to the Planning and Environment Court,” Cr Houghton said.

“It is effectively out of our hands.”