Residents are not happy with plans to build a unit complex at a marina north of Brisbane

A group of 600 residents will fight plans to transform a marina north of Brisbane into a unit complex even though the developer recently made drastic changes to its proposal reducing the height from 10 storeys to six.

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

A group of 600 residents will fight plans to transform a marina north of Brisbane into a unit complex. The developer recently made drastic changes to its proposal reducing the height from 10 storeys to six.

Kindred Developments first lodged its application to transform the Newport Marina, north of Brisbane, into a retail and residential hub with Moreton Bay Regional Council in August last year.

SUBSCRIBE TO REDCLIFFE & BAYSIDE HERALD & THE COURIER MAIL: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR FIRST 12 WEEKS

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

Its original plan was to build two 30m high towers on the site, one for residential, one for short stay accommodation. It was also proposed to include a public aquarium, conference centre, dining precincts and open-air plaza.

During the public consultation period Moreton Bay Regional Council received 1298 submissions in relation to the development.

Of those 662 were in favour of the proposal and 636 against.

Kindred Developments then lodged a stop-hold on the application.

It withdrew this application in April, and instead lodged a new application.

This time proposing to build a six storey building with 54 units.

It will still require council to approve a material change of use/ zoning change to the site, which is zoned as a marine industry precinct.

Kindred Developments lodged a new application for the Newport Marina. It will now be six storeys and feature apartments. Image: Rothelowman

The Newport Action Group, which lodged many of the objections to the first application, is still against Kindred Developments revised plans.

Group president Kenlie Williams said one word to describe the feeling of the community was “disappointed”.

Mrs Williams said many of the group’s 600 members took part in the community consultation sessions held by Moreton Bay Regional Council in the lead up to the adoption of its new Planning Scheme in 2016.

Kindred Developments lodged a new application for the Newport Marina. It will now be six storeys and feature apartments. Image: Rothelowman

It is this planning scheme that zoned the site at Griffith Rd, as a marine industry precinct.

Mrs Williams said she did not understand how council could consider changing the zoning just three years after adopting the planning scheme.

“Redcliffe, Scarborough, Woody Point were all highlighted as potential for unit developments during the planning scheme,” she said.

“Newport was not.

“(Council) didn’t do that for no reason.”

Mrs Williams said in an ideal world she would like to see the site transformed into a marine hub, as it was zoned.

Kindred Development’s original development application was to build two 10 storey buildings at the Newport Marina site.

“We have to take our boat to the Gold Coast to get it serviced,” she said.

Mrs Williams said the group feared a unit development, of any scale, would detract from the community feel and character of Newport.

Group members are also concerned about loss of privacy and traffic.

Mrs Williams said, like last time, Newport Action Group would lodge objections to the application.