Gold Coast City Council planning committee approves controversial Main Beach tower

A CONTROVERSIAL tower which objectors claim will “destroy the village vibe” of a Gold Coast suburb has been recommended for approval by council’s planning committee.

The Proposed Main Beach apartment tower.

THE council’s planning committee has recommended approving a 20-storey tower which residents maintain will destroy the beachfront and village vibe at Main Beach.

Council planning officers in a report to the committee today recommended approving the 63m high building and 55-unit development proposed for Main Beach Parade.

Only area councillor Gary Baildon spoke passionately against the project and hinterland councillor Peter Young voted against the recommendation.

The development exceeds the medium density residential zone by more than three times but is close to the light rail and on a site which offers unlimited height.

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Proposed Main Beach apartment tower.

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Planning committee chairman Cameron Caldwell during debate announced his support for the officer’s recommendation, noting the application was not contrary to the City Plan.

Cr Baildon has listed several concerns including the building casting shadows on the beach.

“We are creating canyons in the city shutting out the thing we live for – sunshine,” he said.

Cr Caldwell told him: “The reality is we as a city are famous for our high rises. I think we should be careful not criticising people’s choices to live in apartments.”

Main Beach Association leader Dave Hutley said the council’s decision meant medium density living was “utterly destroyed” on the beachfront.

He said council had ignored the 120 objections to the project.

“It will be traffic chaos. It will also be shade on the beach. It will ruin Main Beach’s beaches,” he said.