Locals fiercely opposed to proposed five-storey apartments at Palm Cove

Residents of a sleepy beachside locale are fast mobilising against the latest upscale development proposal, fearing it will soon resemble the Gold Coast.

PALM Cove residents are fiercely opposed to a proposal to build a five-storey building with a rooftop pool, saying the beachside village will become ‘a mini Gold Coast’ and ‘a concrete forest’.

A development application for a five storey building with business and retail on ground floor, four levels comprising 10 three bedroom units, and a rooftop pool was lodged with Cairns Regional Council on March 1 and after the Cairns Post did a story, reaction was swift and virulent.

The application doesn’t actually state the height of the up-market proposal called Maya.

Local planning guidelines state a maximum height of 15m and four storeys.

The developer behind the application is Bob Simkin, who did the luxury waterfront apartment building Shara at 71 Williams Esplanade.

The six apartments at Shara, all with Coral Sea views, were priced at $1.4m apiece and all have sold.

It is almost complete and Mr Simkin now has his sights set on The Spa building at 17 Veivers Rd, engaging architect David Quigley.

But residents have slammed the five storey plan and say the design is “ugly and industrial” and jars against the character of Palm Cove.

Public submissions objecting to the project are coming thick and fast.

Cat Shipard argued with the rooftop pool, the building was effectively six storeys.

“The facade looks so industrial and out of place for the area,” she said.

Reef House and Melaleuca Resort owners say their businesses will be destroyed if Sarayi is allowed to go ahead with plans to launch a rooftop bar and tavern. Picture: Brian Cassey

Jane Miles said the developer was pushing the limits on height.

She said the IGA under construction opposite the project had already significantly impacted the streetscape, with loss of vegetation.

“The whole point of Palm Cove is the tropical beachside vibe, combining nature and gentle commercial development – industrial style high rise and concrete don’t fit the profile,” she said.

Vicki Layfield said Palm Cove had stood the test of time as “elegant and sophisticated with a truly tropical village feel”.

The Shara development at 71 Williams Esplanade was the first off plan sales in Palm Cove for over a decade with six apartments priced at $1.4m apiece. Picture: supplied.

Vicki Rosser feared the development would set a precedent.

“Once this is allowed, there will be more and more, it does not suit Palm Cove village, it has no gardens and an ugly look.”

The Cairns Post story was shared on social media, prompting a strong backlash, with one resident saying she was leaving the area.

“All this development is ruining our wonderful suburb, we’ve just had 18 months of construction trucks on the esplanade, now it’s all starting again,” she said.

The project is yet to come before Cairns Regional Council for a decision.

Residents fear the intrinsic character of Palm Cove will be lost if the latest development proposal gets the green light. Picture: supplied.

A line of luxury seven-storey apartment towers was approved in Trinity Beach in 2020, and St John’s Community Care last year got the green light to build two five-storey retirement towers in Clifton Beach.

A development application for an eight-storey resort project at Cedar Rd in Palm Cove is also still pending.

And Palm Cove locals have voiced opposition to a rooftop bar at Sarayi Boutique Hotel on Williams Esplanade.

Palm Cove is easily the most expensive suburb in the Cairns region with a median price of $850,000 – a whopping 14.6 per cent price rise over 12 months.

Five years ago, the median was just $558,000.

The developer has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Locals fiercely opposed to proposed five-storey apartments at Palm Cove