Gold Coast development: Pro-construction councillor opposes new Broadbeach tower

A Gold Coast councillor known for his pro-development stance has done a U-turn to oppose when it comes to an application for a new 21-storey tower.

ONE of the Gold Coast’s most pro-development councillors has done a planning U-turn and wants council to reject an application for a 21-level, high-rise development.

Cr Paul Taylor yesterday opposed a code assessable application at a planning committee meeting in which officers had ticked off on a 90-unit development on a 1214sq m lot in Second Ave, Broadbeach.

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The proposed Second Ave tower for Broadbeach, being developed by Jim Raptis

Councillors were divided about whether the building was thin or a “bit bulky”and officers in their report admitted it would lead to an “urban wall effect” if nearby sites were similarly developed.

Several councillors were stunned when Cr Taylor – who is likely to run for the new super division of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach at next year’s council elections – spoke about aspects of the high-density residential and accommodation zone codes from a prepared, one-page motion.

The tower is earmarked for a Broadbeach site.

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“I think everyone here knows I believe in building the city,” he told the meeting. “That’s one belief I’ve had ever since I’ve been in council here. But I’ve been very, very concerned in the last few years about density and setbacks of our buildings.

“This particular area where this building is going in at the moment is new, there’s not many high-rise around it. I move that it not be approved.

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“I don’t want to see this area become a concrete jungle. In other words, no space between buildings. It is going to cause congestion. It doesn’t meet the code.”

The residential density overlay map prescribed a density of one bed per 13sq m, and the development would lead to one bed per 5.62sq m, he added.

The proposed tower at Broadbeach.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates acknowledged the concerns about other sites being developed but cautioned it was not possible to determine future development.

“We can’t foresee the future and don’t know what that outcome will be. So I would just feel terribly for an applicant that went to his trouble to then get a refusal for a code if the officers have basically indicated that this is an acceptable solution to the site,” she said.

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Officers indicated the application by the Second Ave Development Management Pty Ltd headed by veteran developer Jim Raptis had been thoroughly checked to meet compliance.

The proposed location.

Planning committee chair Cameron Caldwell foreshadowed he would support the officer’s recommendation, adding that there had been “a fair amount of work gone into it at this point and I don’t think there’s sufficient grounds for refusal”.

Cr Taylor told colleagues: “What is this area going to look like in 10 years time if we allow these densities and setbacks?”

The vote for approval was 4-4 with Cr Peter Young, Gail O’Neill and Cr Hermann Vorster, who seconded Cr Taylor’s motion, backing him.

Cr Caldwell used his casting vote as chair, which is convention, to support the officer’s recommendation. Full council will vote on the application next Tuesday.