Cabarita unit development reaches public comment phase of council approval process

A proposed apartment building will feature a swimming pool, barbecue space and be just metres away from the beach with strong buyer interest. But not everyone is happy about it.

Concept designs show an apartment building proposed for Tweed Coast Road in Cabarita.

An four-storey apartment building proposed to be built at Cabarita has residents riled up with concerns about its impact on their unobstructed skyline.

But the company behind the project says it is listening to concerns and acting on them.

The $18m development on Tweed Coast Road will feature 20 apartments, a basement car park and communal open space on the ground floor with a swimming pool and barbecue facility.

The apartments would be consist of 12 three-bedroom apartments, another six larger three-bedroom apartments and two four-bedroom apartments.

The development was lodged by Brisbane company Urbex 117 on July 9, 2021, with an estimated cost of work of $18,375,000.

Company documents show Urbex 117 is directed by Brisbane residents Craig Mortensen, 59, Michael Power, 71, Scott Power, 47, Paul Fogarty, 71 and Dare Power, 49.

Concept designs show an apartment building proposed to be built on Tweed Coast Road at Cabarita.

Along the Tweed Coast there is a three storey height limit, however the block of land for the apartment project has a specified height limit of 13.6m, which is the height the developers intend to reach.

Long term resident Jann Ford said she was concerned the development could set a precedent for taller and taller buildings to come into Cabarita.

“It’s not just this development,” she said.

“My main concern is the fact that it exceeds the height restriction for Cabarita Beach.

“One extra floor now, more will follow and Cabarita Beach will forever lose its unique character.”

Long term Cabarita resident Jann Ford is against a proposed development on Tweed Coast Road.

Mrs Ford, a retired teacher, first moved to Cabarita in 1979 before spending time away and returning in 2010.

“The lack of high-rises is a major reason why I live here,” she said.

She also raised concerns, echoed by others in a Facebook community group for the area, that density controls were being overruled for the development.

Blueprints for where the development is proposed to go.

“This development is situated alongside a nature reserve that has been described by council as being of critical concern for endangered wildlife,” she said.

“ (It is) The last place we want to exceed density controls.”

The site adjoins to the Cudgen Nature Reserve and is located at the northern entry to the Cabarita township and 200m from the beach.

The development is currently open for public submissions.

Urbex general manager Peter Sherrie said after meeting and listening to neighbouring residents, Urbex reduced the proposed scale of the project to be compliant with council building regulations in terms of height, density and setbacks from the boundaries.

Urbex general manager Peter Sherrie.

“This is a high-quality development aimed at owner occupiers, with holiday letting to be specifically prohibited under the body corporate regulations,” Mr Sherrie said.

“There is a strong demand for residential accommodation at Cabarita, and we have designed three and four bedroom apartments to meet the needs of permanent residents.

“It includes plenty of basement car parking, and the apartments have been designed to provide privacy for both residents and neighbours and I am sure it will be a positive addition to the neighbourhood.”

Subject to council approval, Urbex expects to start selling apartments early next year and is already reporting strong interest from local buyers.