103-storey Surfers Paradise high-rise Orion Towers to win backing by Gold Coast Council

THE 103-storey mammoth supertower proposed for Surfers Paradise has been given the green light by the council planning committee.

THE 103-storey mammoth supertower proposed for Surfers Paradise has been given the green light by the council planning committee.

Surfers Paradise councillor Gary Baildon was the only councillor to vote against the tower, saying it was it was damaging to the area.

The Surfers Paradise project will consist of two towers, one 76 storeys high and the other reaching up to 103 storeys — the tallest in the southern hemisphere.

Planning committee chairman Cameron Caldwell said the more than 2200 bedroom development was “absolutely outstanding addition to the Surfers Paradise skyline”.

Artist impression of the Orion Towers proposed for Surfers Paradise

Council planners had suggested two levels of 280 car parks be removed to reduce the size of the six storey podium on the building but that condition was removed by the councillors.

“The architect has got to a very high quality of design,” Cr Caldwell said.

“Sometimes these issues are best left to those not in council.”

Cr Baildon disagreed and was concerned with the 22m height of the podium and how that would effect the urban landscape.

“We have a very narrow street and the impact of these podiums on our streets is high,” he said.

The $1.2 billion Orion Towers project is slated to built on a Surfers Paradise Blvd site between Enderley and Markwell avenues.

SURFERS PARADISE’S 103-STOREY ORION TOWERS

The 1127-unit development was submitted to council late last year by Melbourne-based the Orion International Group.

The Bulletin understands council officers have recommended approval of the project which includes two super tower mixed-used sky scrapers the tallest a whopping 328m or 103 storeys.

The taller tower would dwarf the second building planned at just 76-storeys.

Artist impression of the Orion Towers proposed for Surfers Paradise

A part of the council recommendations include removing two levels of parking, a recommendation which is expected to be contested by a number of councillors in the committee due the premiums placed on parking.

The committee is also expected to approve the $440 million hotel proposed by Aquis Australia for Main Beach Parade, Surfers Paradise.