Residents have expressed anger of the approval of a seven-storey apartment building on a small suburban lot
Residents are furious that a seven-storey apartment building was approved on a small suburban lot north of Brisbane. They say it will slash value from their homes and compromise their safety and privacy. SEE THE PLANS
Moreton
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PLANS for a new seven-storey apartment building in an area dominated by single story homes have angered residents.
A company called Dola Investment Pty Ltd gained approval last September to build a seven-story apartment building containing 12 units at 2 Gardiner Street, Lawnton.
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No work has been done on the site yet, and it was unclear whether the company planned to build the tower itself, or sell the property on.
Either way, the 598 sqm corner block has council approval for a 21m high apartment building overlooking adjoining single storey homes.
The land is about 500m from Lawnton train station and Moreton Bay Council allows for buildings of this height within 800m of a train station.
Pine Rivers Press was unable to contact the property owner.
Moreton Bay Council regulations currently require just one internal parking space per unit, regardless of how many bedrooms it has.
Overflow parking would spill out onto surrounding streets.
Over recent days, residents have learned of the existing approval on the site and made clear their disapproval, with one person stating “no resident in Pine Rivers is safe from a high rise block of units being built right next door to them”.
“Building a 7-storey unit with 12 apartments on a 598 sqm space next to owner-occupied residents who have children and have been residing in the area for over 11 years is ridiculous and dumbfounding,” Ana Havea stated on PlanningAlerts.org.
“I’m all for development, but keep it out of already established family suburbs where our kids play on the road and take it to the newly developed lands and main roads.
“This will invade our privacy with a number of occupants overlooking our backyards.
“How am I supposed to feel safe as a parent in my own house?”
It was a sentiment shared by others who felt the apartment building was not appropriate for the area.
“There is a place for six story buildings in our region but not smack in the middle of our suburbs,” Russell Miers stated.
“The impact of such a building on the surrounding neighbourhood would be terrible. Property values would also be slashed.”
Joseph Auclair wrote: “At some stage (the council) should be advocating to the State Government on our behalf to maintain the aesthetics of the area. If the Brisbane City council can do it why can the largest council in Qld do it.
“The plans show just another cheap low square metre monstrosity designed for quick sale to investors at the cost of the only true benefits of living in this area as middle income and low socio-economic residents.”
Mark John questioned why a high rise development was being approved in a suburban area.
“Why not contain the high density housing to high rise development in the Strathpine CBD precinct, similar to Chermside but with the advantage of a rail link?” he wrote.
Jo Skinner asked: “How are the existing residents of the neighbouring homes going to be compensated for this eyesore? Not only will they financially bear the loss of the monstrosity with a decline in property values, they will pay with a loss of privacy with it looming over their homes.
“Council you are a disgrace! Approve this to be built next to your own property.”
Sarah Johns said the building would become the biggest eyesore in the area.
“Buildings surrounding it are no more than two storeys and the area is relatively flat,” she wrote.
“Residents residing in the houses surrounding this complex are going to struggle to sell because no one wants to live near a complex like this.”
Dola Investment Pty Ltd bought the site in October 2018 for $340,000.
The existing house on the property is being rented.