Gold Coast tower wars: Why Main Beach wins and Palm Beach loses

A controversial Palm Beach tower is approved after a majority vote of councillors. Another on the same day at council, at Main Beach, is stalled. Why the difference?

A CONTROVERSIAL Palm Beach tower is approved after a majority vote of councillors. Another that comes up on the same day at council, at Main Beach, is stalled. Why the difference?

The developments were either code assessable or impact assessable, so they could have been decided by officers under delegated authority.

New 14-level tower proposed for Palm Beach fronting the Gold Coast Highway.

But concerned residents objected and went to their councillors, which has led to debate in the chamber over the Palm Beach project or in offices with council planners about the Main Beach tower.

The Palm Beach tower is 14 storeys and three times the density allowed under the current City Plan.

The Main Beach project, called the Monaco, is 23 storeys on a 483 sqm metre block, causing what residents view as significant setback and site coverage issues.

At Palm Beach, the war is waged on Facebook. Planning chair Cameron Caldwell is targeted as “the man responsible for the destruction of Palm Beach”.

Councillor Daphne McDonald is spoken of as the suburb’s saviour.

“Please keep supporting Daphne through the next four years as she fights to protect Palm Beach from the Light Rail, overdevelopment and Team Tate councillors,” a resident writes in a recent post.

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Artist impression of The Monaco, A tower planned for Macarthur Parade, Main Beach on the Gold Coast. Picture: Supplied

Can Cr McDonald or any other councillor alone stop overdevelopment and light rail?

The Main Beach Association, Save Our Spit and Save Our Broadwater have fought successful campaigns against a Sunland development on The Spit and the proposed cruise ship terminal.

Rather than use Facebook, the Main Beach Association built a working relationship with candidate Darren Taylor before the March 28 poll. He impressed them and beat former councillor Eddy Sarroff in a tough contest.

At a planning committee meeting, Cr Peter Young – in putting forward an argument for Cr McDonald on the Palm Beach project – said: “There’s enough here for submitters at least to progress an appeal for our decision to approve.”

The site for a new 14 level at Palm Beach fronting the Gold Coast Highway.

Cr Caldwell responded like a Coombabah Lake sand fly had just brushed his cheek.

“That’s a matter for them,” he replied, before continuing his argument for approval.

The legal documents on the Main Beach planning application are revealing.

They show the Main Beach Association set up a 12-person subcommittee from five bodies corporate from nearby apartments.

“Recognising the need to provide the council with hard evidence to support its case, residents were asked to make donations to pay for expert reports and for legal advice,” a resident said.

“Reports from building and fire engineers were commissioned and provided to the council to assist its consideration of the proposal.

“These reports found significant noncompliance in the areas of setbacks and site coverage and pointed to high fire risks associated with the ‘sky garage’ feature included in each of the 11 apartments contained in the 23-storey building.”

A delighted Darren Taylor — he will be the new councillor for Broadbeach, after defeating Eddy Sarroff. Picture Glenn Hampson.

The developer disputes these claims.

But the MBA has hired a top legal firm, and its committee includes smart professionals with a bit of time on their hands.

The latest legal letter shows support from these residents – De Ville (104 apartments), Admiral North (49 apartments), Yachting Towers (42 apartments), Newport on Main (25 apartments) and Macarthur Parade (single dwelling).

Some Palm Beach residents are reaching out to those in Main Beach, seeking recommendations on lawyers. A smart play from the south.

With modern urban planning, Palm Beach could yet emerge as a vibrant beachfront location, rather than a council planning war zone.

The Main Beach approach is deliberately measured. Residents are opposed to what they call “inappropriate development”, but they support the Yacht Club super yacht berth plan.

They are getting continued council support for their Tedder Avenue flower show.

Surely there is a smoother path at Palm Beach where in the future it could smell much more like roses for all parties.