NewsBite

First look at Southport super towers as CBD’s biggest project approved

The green light has been given for a massive four tower development near a light rail station.

Ducks on Gold Coast light rail line

THE green light has been given for a massive four tower development in Southport near a light rail station.

A hotel and an auditorium for live music will be part of the project, considered one of the biggest in decades, which councillors predict is set to transform the Gold Coast’s tired CBD.

Council is supporting approval of a four tower development at Southport.
Council is supporting approval of a four tower development at Southport.

Councillors at a planning committee meeting today unanimously backed a recommendation by officers to approve the mixed use development on an 11,000sqm site in Nerang and Cougal streets.

The project will include four towers — at 71, 62, 50 and 18 levels — provide more than 1000 accommodation units and about 2000 bedrooms. Car parking will see 964 spaces across five basement levels and two of the three podium levels.

Planning documents reveal there will be a 140 room hotel, function room and a 1300-seat auditorium which can cater for bands.

MORE NEWS

Shock decision casts doubt on Coomera Connector

Coast mum thought magistrate would laugh at Target theft

Toddler in critical condition after falling from Coast balcony

New four tower development planned for the Southport CBD..
New four tower development planned for the Southport CBD..

Council planning officers in their report acknowledged the massive development would have impacts on the surrounding road network but it was within a short distance to a light rail station opposite the old Gold Coast Hospital site.

“The development is considered to result in some queuing impacts in the form of queue lengths and times. These are considered acceptable by council officers within the confines of council’s jurisdiction and the context in which the site is located,” the report said.

Ground level view of planned four tower development at Southport on the Gold Coast.
Ground level view of planned four tower development at Southport on the Gold Coast.

Officers said the site was located within the CBD and part of the Southport Priority Area development scheme set up to “facilitate the most intensive development”.

The original proposal was for five towers between 36 and 75 storeys but that was downscaled after meetings with planning staff.

“These meetings also saw a significant improvement in design and materiality of the podium, which is considered to better integrate with the surrounding context,” the officers said.

The project will trigger the upgrade of council’s sewerage infrastructure to enable the development to proceed.

“Portions of these upgrades are considered to be network infrastructure and will therefore be paid for by council in line with council’s water and waste strategic sewer planning for Southport,” the officer’s report said.

An aerial shot showing the site of the planned four tower development in the Southport CBD.
An aerial shot showing the site of the planned four tower development in the Southport CBD.

MORE NEWS

Police officer bitten on hand by tourist

Gold Coast’s greenest suburbs revealed

Why M1 speeds could be slashed

Councillor William Owen-Jones during debate where all councillors supported the application said it would mirror upgrades on the nearby old Gold Coast Hospital site.

“It’s a sign of moving forward for Southport. Southport had been in a bit of a rough time in the 2008 global financial crisis,” Cr Owen-Jones said.

The 1300-seat auditorium was a positive addition and “fitted” with council’s policy of supporting live music.

“The sooner this gets started the better I think Southport will be for it,” Cr Owen-Jones said.

Retiring councillor Dawn Crichlow, who is not on the planning committee, said she supported the development which received only one objection, from a nearby property owner.

The land owners for the largely vacant site include PPK Southport Pty Ltd and the Southport Project Trust.

Plans for the auditorium which will be part of a four tower development in the Southport CBD.
Plans for the auditorium which will be part of a four tower development in the Southport CBD.

“It would be one of the biggest developments. The timing is perfect,” Cr Crichlow said.

“They will do it in four stages. The old hospital site and this one complement each other. With St Hildas, they will do a lot of redevelopment with a boarding house. It is all happening around there.

An aerial shot showing the break-up of the site for the four tower development in the Southport CBD.
An aerial shot showing the break-up of the site for the four tower development in the Southport CBD.

“If they start selling alright, it should probably take about six years. There are two large retirement buildings on the old hospital site. They’re keen to start as soon as possible. You have that whole area close to light rail. People will be living close to the CBD.”

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/business/first-look-at-southport-super-towers-as-cbds-biggest-project-approved/news-story/cf27e5e142b2c9eb3c13ca0cf104f8f7