Controversial development set for second round of public consultation

A contentious development application, which sparked nine petitions, will go back for a second round of public consultation after the developer failed to follow protocol.

A group of Bribie Island residents are against a new six-storey foreshore development at 233 Welsby Pde, Bongaree.

A CONTENTIOUS development application, which had 23 negative submissions and sparked nine petitions, will go back to community consultation after the developer did not follow protocol.

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Applicant Djakala Investments, which is owned by Scoopy’s Family Café owner David Alexander, submitted plans to Moreton Bay Regional Council for a six-storey waterfront unit complex at 233 Welsby Pde in February.

The council put the application to public notification from March 15 to April 4, as the developer was asking for concessions on building height and density.

During that time 23 submissions were made against the application and nine petitions were submitted to the council.

Djakala Investments has submitted a development application to build a six-storey unit complex 100m away from Bribie Island Bridge.

Next-door neighbours Faye and Mick Falvey, whose new fence would be demolished if the application was approved, collected 327 signatures on their petition.

“We always knew there would be a development next door and we’re okay with that, but it’s the height and density we have a problem with,” Mr Falvey said.

But now council has asked the developer to start a second public notification period, which begins Friday (April 12), after the applicant made a mistake during the initial timeframe.

The developer is asking for concessions on building height and density.

“The last day of the public notification period was due to be April 4, however the noticeboard was removed on or about Monday April 1 2019, replaced and immediately removed again on Tuesday April 2,” a council spokeswoman said.

“The applicant has confirmed the signs were removed from the property and on April 5 the applicant confirmed they will recommence the notification period in full, starting on Friday April 12, to ensure compliance with requirements for public notification under the Planning Act.

“The new date for close of submissions is the May 10.”

Djakala Investments has submitted a development application to build a six-storey unit complex at 233 Welsby Pde, Bongaree. Picture: Google Maps

If approved, it will be the first building of its kind on the Bongaree foreshore, just 100m away from Bribie Island Bridge.

The planning scheme allows for a building height of 15m with a density of 75 dwellings per hectare — the plans are for a 21.7m building with a density of 83.

Resident Marylou Heath said it was ‘ludicrous’ to construct a building of that nature in that location.

“Everyone who doesn’t want to go over the bridge turns right at that corner — sitting at Faye (Falvey)’s house, the traffic is constant,” she said.

“They’d have to shut the street down to get trucks and cranes and who knows what in. It would be chaos.”

Bribie Island residents Marylou Heath and Faye Falvey (floral) are leading the charge from residents against a new six-storey foreshore development.

It comes after a the five-storey Chelsea Fifteen apartment block, located a short distance from Bribie Island Bridge on Benabrow Ave, Bellara, nears completion.