Residents fight against waterfront development

Campaigners say they are boycotting a popular cafe north of Brisbane in protest over a controversial waterfront development application.

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

Campaigners say they are boycotting a Bribie Island cafe over a controversial development application.

Scoopy’s Family Café owner David Alexander submitted plans to build a six-storey unit block 100m from Bribie Island Bridge at 233 Welsby Pde, Bongaree, under company Djakala Investments in March.

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Campaigners say they are boycotting Scoopy's Family Cafe, Bribie Island after the owner submitted plans to build a six-storey waterfront development.

There was a backlash from a section of the community angered by the application, which exceeded building height and density.

More than 250 negative submissions were made to Moreton Bay Regional Council and Marylou Heath, who organised petitions against the plan, said those who signed were boycotting the cafe.

Mr Alexander said he did not wish to comment.

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

The planning scheme allows for a building height of 15m with a density of 75 dwellings per hectare in that zone. Mr Alexander’s application is for a 21.7m building with a density of 83 per hectare.

It received 46 negative submissions during two public notification periods — seven of those were identical petitions containing a total of 234 signatures, according to a council spokeswoman.

The plans went to a second public notification period, which ended on May 10, after the applicant removed signs from the property during the first consultation.

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

“All properly-made submissions will be considered by council prior to the decision-making stage, which includes the officer’s recommendation and council vote on the matter,” a council spokeswoman said.

Ms Heath said signers were avoiding Scoopy’s until the plans were changed to reflect the planning scheme requirements.

“We’re boycotting his coffee shop — just about everyone who’s signed the petition,” she said.

“What’s the point of having a town plan if every developer can override it?

“If we give him an exemption then the next bloke who comes along will get one and soon enough we’ll look like Redcliffe or the Gold Coast.”

Bribie Island residents Marylou Heath (left) and Faye Falvey (right) are leading the charge against a new six-storey foreshore development at 233 Welsby Pde.