Inaugural Gold Coast City Architect Philip Follent says the coast being overdeveloped at the cost of ratepayers

A FORMER city architect claims the Gold Coast is being swayed by ‘the greed of development’ as more and more high-rises continue being built.

THE Gold Coast Council’s first-ever architect says the city is “capitulating to the greed of development” as oversized high-rises continue to be approved.

Philip Follent, who served as City architect from 2003 to 2008, says the community will pay the price for overdevelopment in its coastal suburbs.

He said developments were being approved with increased densities, reduced setbacks, greater coverage and no green space.

Pointcorp has lodged its development application to transform the petrol station at Burleigh Heads in a 15 storey, 41 unit apartment.

“The city is developing at all costs and residents will ultimately pay the cost,” he said.

His comments come after councillors Daphne McDonald and Pauline Young warned against too many high-rises and that the City Plan was flawed.

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“The city will never have the population to ensure all the development along light rail corridor which offers commercial and light rail space is viable,” Mr Follent said.

“All these buildings along the light rail corridor with retail and commercial space will be plastered with ‘for lease’ signs.

Mayor Tom Tate. Picture Glenn Hampson

“It is incredibly dispiriting for the community to see rampant approvals, setbacks reduced, site coverage is increased and council is not considering accumulative affect of these approvals on the amenity on neighbouring properties.”

These developments are being approved under the new City Plan and State Government’s South East Regional Plan.

For two years, Gold Coast City Council consulted with all residents, and councillors, about the draft City Plan, which went live in February 2016.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate rejected Mr Follent’s claims that the council approved anything.

“Every application is treated on merit,” he said.

Former Gold Coast City Architect Philip Follent claims the city is being destroyed by overdevelopment and a council which rubberstamps any development. Picture: Brendan Radke.

“Officers take into account the application and assess it against our City Plan.

“Under the State’s South East Queensland Regional Plan, there is also a legislative push to see our city build up, not out. This protects natural green space, parks, playgrounds and broader open space. I’m sure Mr Follent would agree with that concept.

“We have a target of ensuring at least 51 per cent of the city’s footprint is green, open space … preserved forever.

Peerless Ave is the last street heading south along the Gold Coast Hwy with an unlimited height restriction, but only on the northern side of the street. Artist impression of Mahala, a 25-storey high-rise tower by developer Pinda which is planned for Peerless Ave, Mermaid Beach

“To do that, we need to build up, not out and we also need to ensure higher density developments occur along the light rail route so people living there have a choice to use public transport, right down at their doorstep.

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“I have previously led public discussion on making developments more green, whether that is through rooftop gardens, landscaping or garden features incorporated into the building designs. I will continue to push for that.’’

Last week Pointcorp lodged its application for the $100 millio n, 41-unit development at Burleigh Heads which has zero metre setback along the Gold Coast Hwy and reduced communal open spaces justified by large balconies and nearby parks and beaches.

Mr Follent said this was typical of most developments being approved under the planing guidelines.

Mr Follent said the guidelines within the City Plan needed to be enforced as they were written instead of developers taking advantage of exemptions at the expense of neighbours.

“We will end up with some disastrous outcomes,” Mr Follent said.

“It will be the Americanisation of the city.