The Village Green in Miami is to be used to help fight the rental crisis on the Gold Coast

A build-to-rent tower twice the maximum height limit has been pitched for a Gold Coast beachfront suburb as affordable, “emergency” accommodation. See where and who is behind it

Artist impression of The Village Green development which is proposed for Miami

A nine-storey, 31-metre tall tower designed for temporary and emergency accommodation in Miami has been pitched to council by a private company linked to the daughter of a bankrupt developer.

The Village Green at 2-10 Kiers Road and 11 Kedron Avenue, a 925sqm island site on the western side of the Gold Coast Highway, has 109 studio apartments, 25 car parking spaces one shared electric vehicle and 113 bicycle parks.

If approved, the proposed tower would be used as ‘rooming accommodation’ and registered for use with the Department of Housing.

A development application was submitted on behalf of 11 Kedron Ave Pty Ltd, whose sole director/secretary is Dee Sullivan, daughter of ex-City Pacific CEO Phil Sullivan, who declared himself bankrupt with debts of $78 million in 2018. Ms Sullivan’s company purchased the island site for $3 million in January 2022.

Urban Planning Services lodged the DA for 11 Kedron Ave Pty Ltd, stating it would provide build-to-rent residential units in an “innovative and sustainably minded scheme”.

The tower would include 87 studio apartments and 22 premium apartments, from 23-35 sqm, each with bathroom and limited cooking facilities.

Artist impression of The Village Green development which is proposed for Miami

The ground floor would incorporate a 75sqm cafe providing pre-made meals, snacks and beverages at an affordable price for residents and visitors.

The Village Green plans feature 452sqm of communal floorspace with a gym, laundry, work-from-home areas, urban farm and 612sqm of landscaping.

The DA stated the building aimed to be a community hub and anchor the island site as a destination. It said the tower should be considered a ‘best practice’ outcome and a new benchmark for this form of accommodation.

“The accommodation will be beneficial to a diverse range of demographics, with the intent of targeting the affordable housing market,” the UPS DA stated.

It added that may include people wantings emergency accommodation such as those in relationship break-ups or people falling on hard times.

It would be listed on an online public register to enable people to find it “in times of need”.

“The development is expected to be occupied by people on a short or short-to-medium term basis. Given the size and nature of the development, it is highly unlikely residents will find it necessary or desirable to stay for longer periods,” the DA stated.

Division 12 Councillor Nick Marshall said: “There is certainly a need for this type of accommodation, but I do have concerns in terms of the proposed height and location.

“To offer 109 units with minimal car parking could mean an additional 80 cars on the surrounding streets. It’s nice to think people won’t bring their cars, but not necessarily realistic.”

Artist impression of The Village Green development which is proposed for Miami

“It also concerns me the developer is requesting this increased height based on the Neighbourhood Framework, which is not yet part of the City Plan.”

Under the existing City Plan, the maximum height allowed in that area is 15m.

The DA argued the proposed building height should be allowed.

“Our assessment finds the proposal is in keeping with the intent of the City Plan - and the application only triggers Impact Assessment (against the Strategic Framework) because of the proposed building height, 31.1m at its highest point.

“(This) is consistent with Council’s future planning intentions as expressed within their ‘Nobby Beach and Miami North Station Neighbourhoods Concept Plan’, being a more current planning policy than the City Plan given it is reflective of Stage 3A of the light rail.

A council response filed just last week determined further information was required to properly assess it.

Council officers said relying upon Neighbourhood Framework concept plans to plead for height relaxations was irrelevant.

“Officers will consider building height in further detail during the Decision period of the application.”

Artist impression of The Village Green development which is proposed for Miami