Cairns development: Council investigates new disability apartment complex in Gordonvale
A new Cairns housing development has raised the eyebrows of homeowners and prompted an investigation from Cairns Regional Council after a letterbox drop revealed the controversial plans.
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A new disability housing development in a Cairns suburb has raised the eyebrows of neighbouring homeowners and prompted an investigation from Cairns Regional Council.
Far North construction company VIS Construction has begun building a complex of five two-bedroom apartments in between residential housing in Gordonvale to be managed by a special disability accommodation provider.
The project has blindsided both council and neighbours who were informed of the sites plans, at 49 Cairns Rd, by a letter drop earlier this month.
The 900 sqm block sits in a residential a zone location which normally permits the construction of a single dwelling only.
Division 1 councillor Brett Moller said he had been contacted by residents about the legality of the proposal, with its “community residence” purpose preventing the need for a development application, according to the current planning regulations.
“As a result of residents concerns I have asked council planning officers to investigate the proposal further and provide advice back so residents can be further updated in respect to the proposal,” Cr Moller said.
“And (then) we can better understand the nature of the proposal and how the Planning Regulations may apply to such.”
It is understood town planners are looking into the complex design and whether it meets the permitted community residence use criteria.
The facility will be managed by the NDISP – an approved SDA provider and real estate agency. They provide purpose built homes for participants in the National Disability Insurance Scheme who have extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.
Nearby Gordonvale residents remain frustrated by a lack of transparency and knowledge of the project
“Having a facility of this nature will depreciate the value of my property,” one local resident, who chose to remain anonymous, said.
“Any development should have a right for residents to submit their objections and in this instance, it was only due to the letter in my letterbox that I knew what was being built.”
The property was sold in July for $195,000 with the existing home demolished.
VIS Construction project manager, Grant Mulkearns, said the development was expected to take “30 weeks” to complete.
“In consideration for the surrounding properties the building will be setback from the front boundary with attractive landscaping to create a pleasant residential appearance,” he said.
Site works commenced last week.
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Originally published as Cairns development: Council investigates new disability apartment complex in Gordonvale
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