Gold Coast development: Developer RayJon plans 20-storey tower at Treetops shopping centre West Burleigh
A long-time Gold Coast developer wants to build a tower which is twice the area’s height limit in a Gold Coast suburb, leaving the local councillor “gobsmacked”.
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A GOLD Coast city leader has been left “gobsmacked” after plans for a 20-storey tower in the city’s west were unveiled.
Developer Rayjon Group wants to build a residential high-rise in Burleigh Waters overlooking the Treetops shopping centre as part of a long-term plan to redevelop the site.
The $350 million retail and dining precinct on the corner of Bermuda St and Reedy Creek Road was approved in 2016 and will create a town centre which will ultimately feature cafes, offices and units.
But not everyone is happy – area councillor Hermann Vorster has slammed the proposal as being inappropriate for an area which is primarily residential.
“I am completely in the dark about this proposal and I can only assume the community is also in the same position,” he said.
“I have an extreme apprehension about the height and density of such a project at this location and have fears that a new residential precinct will have no sense of community and almost no access to meaningful open space.
“While I have not been provided the courtesy of a copy of these plans, I see little practical possibility that a high-rise at this location would be in keeping with the character of the area residents expect.”
The proposed tower, which would be home to more than 80 people, would be built on the site of an existing carpark.
It would have 63 units and 150 bedrooms across 18 residential levels, plus a recreation deck and gym in its podium.
Its 64.8m height is more than double the 30m height limit for the area as set out in the City Plan.
However, in documents filed with the council this week, planners for the developer argue that its podium is smaller than the limit for this part of the project and that it would provide an “appropriate” transition between the surrounding lower rise buildings and the tower.
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In 2016 Rayjon announced plans to take the 3.7ha project to market after gaining preliminary approval for the masterplan which allowed for the footprint of the shopping centre to be expanded and development of office buildings and 650 apartments in towers up to 20 storeys.
Just last month, Rayjon completed renovations of the shopping centre, with new restaurants opening.
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