Gold Coast development: Fury over proposed Hedges Ave duplex project

War has erupted on the Gold Coast’s most exclusive beachfront street over a development locals say will lead to the suburb’s “destruction”.

WAR has erupted on the Gold Coast’s most exclusive beachfront street over plans lodged for a giant five-storey duplex.

Hedges Ave residents are furious about the proposed luxury project, which they fear will lead to “the destruction of Mermaid Beach”.

But a leading city councillor says the project could be end up being approved, despite being two storeys taller than the area’s three-storey height limit.

NEW MANSION PLANNED FOR HEDGES AVE

Commercial and residential developer and Hedges Ave resident Jack Ray at the site of the proposed development. Picture: Mike Batterham

NEW MANSION PLANNED FOR EMPTY HEDGES AVE SITE

The duplex, put forward by Alpha Beta Holdings, is earmarked for a 405 sqm site on the corner of Hedges Ave and Ventura Road.

Commercial and residential developer and Hedges Ave resident Jack Ray is one of the leading opponents to the project and has urged council to reject the proposal when it goes before the planning committee next year.

“Personally, if built, this proposal will tower over my property completely destroying all the privacy and amenity we currently enjoy on the western side of our property,” he said in a letter to council.

PRICES RISING ON HEDGES AVE

The proposed five-storey development.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON SUNLAND’S $250M HEDGES AVE TOWER

“There is a general fear in the Mermaid Beach community that if this proposal gets approved, it will open the floodgates to many more proposals like this popping up.

“Proposals that have no regard to the City Plan setback, density and three-storey requirements that are meant to enable sensible development controls and protection of the neighbourhood’s character and adjoining resident’s amenity.”

Mr Ray letterbox-dropped a notice to nearby residents after the project was filed mid-last month and says he has been contacted by 38 neighbours who have raised concerns.

“All these residents have expressed considerable concern with this application and what it could potentially mean for the future amenity destruction of Mermaid Beach if it is approved,” he said.

Jack Ray says his neighbours are deeply concerned about the project. Picture: Mike Batterham

Among resident gripes are the luxury development’s height, site setbacks and amount of the land it will cover.

Opponents argue none are compatible with the City Plan.

A planning report to council said it had been designed to fit in with Hedges Ave’s existing mega mansions.

“The proposed dwellings have been specifically designed to reflect the elaborate, beachfront nature of the Hedges Ave locale.”

There will be four residential floors, with a rooftop terrace, with each of the homes having four bedrooms.

The project was submitted to council last month.

Attempts by the Bulletin to contact the project’s developer yesterday were unsuccessful.

Public comment is expected to begin later this month and will run into January.

Area councillor Paul Taylor said he was opposed to developments which exceeded the three-storey limit but warned houses of similar size had already been approved in the area, creating a precedent.

“People want that little village lifestyle down there and this is what we set up in the City Plan,” he said.

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Cr Paul Taylor. Picture: Scott Fletcher

“However in previous years there have been some buildings approved which are taller than the current City Plan levels which means if we reject a building, we could be taken to court and the decision could be overturned.

“Unfortunately the planning has not been consistent over the decades.”

Changes to the City Plan will be discussed this coming Friday when councillors meet.

Just weeks ago council approved a four-storey townhouse project on nearby Arthur Street in a three-storey area.

The development divided the community with, 100 submissions made in favour, while 283 were made against it.