Cameron Caldwell calls for building heights to be ‘scaled down’ in Labrador

Residents of a Gold Coast suburb have achieved a significant victory, with a powerful council planning chief backing their campaign for lower building heights in the City Plan.

Bonney MP Sam O'Connor addresses a Labrador meeting on City Plan.

LABRADOR residents have scored their first win in a protest against increased building heights with powerful council planning chair Cameron Caldwell backing their stance.

A high profile LNP member and considered to be pro-development, Cr Caldwell is not supportive of high rise across all of the suburbs where he will likely contest the March 2020 council election.

Planned building height changes being considered in Labrador under changes to the Gold Coast City Council's City Plan.

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Residents can also be buoyed to learn that Councillor Kristyn Boulton, who may also contest Division Four with Cr Caldwell, is backing their stance.

Cr Caldwell said he had reached his position on the City Plan after placing a copy of it on his office wall and taking notes across a six week period.

“Council went out to consultation because we wanted your feedback. It was clear early on in the process that changes would need to be made in order to meet community expectations, particularly in Labrador, Chirn Park and Biggera Waters,” he said.

“It is my personal view that there should be portions of Labrador and Chirn Park that remain as detached housing to preserve the character of those areas. It is my personal view that some of the proposed heights should be revised down.”

A community consultation report and amendment package would be discussed at council’s planning committee on December 4 and voted on two days later at full council, Cr Caldwell said.

“We will then go to a further month of consultation commencing 6 January and concluding 4 February, but in essence the community will have 9 weeks to digest the further proposed amendments,” he said.

Gold Coast City Council planning chair Cameron Caldwell looks at proposed changes to the City Plan.

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Residents on Facebook have welcomed Cr Caldwell’s position but some remain cautious, saying “let’s hope that’s authentic and not just a vote pleasing statement”.

Some have asked Cr Boulton about her position after she indicated Labrador was one of the areas being targeted for urban renewal across the Coast.

Cr Boulton believes that rather than express a personal opinion on the City Plan, councillors should be backing the recommendations from residents in their division.

“I’m not saying that I support the officer’s position or proposal, nor am I saying I don’t support it, as the matter needs to come to planning committee by way of an officer report after the consultation period ends and all submissions are assessed by officers,” she said.

In a background briefing note, Cr Boulton told the Bulletin: “The City wants to know what the community is thinking, where do we want to put this growth and what do we want to see in our community.

“We want to be sure we put this growth where the community wants it. There’s flexibility around proposed changes — depending upon the response from the community. I’m here to represent my people, and I’ll fight for the outcome they want.”

Councillor Kristyn Boulton — I’m here to represent my community. Photo: David Clark

Division Seven candidate Ryan Bayldon Lumsden in his campaign has produced mapping which clearly shows the impacts of the changes at Labrador.

He said feedback should be sought earlier from residents on major planning changes to avoid stress which had sparked this month’s public forum at the Labrador Senior Citizens Centre.

“My personal view is apartment style living should be limited west of Muir Street. I believe there is more in Labrador worth maintaining than just the strip between Government Road and Turpin Road,” he said.