Kirra Point: Everything you need to know about Council’s decision on $380m Kirra Beach Hotel project

A $380m triple-tower project which will reshape the Kirra skyline has been given the green light despite a community campaign opposing its construction. Find out what happens next.

A $380M triple-tower project which will reshape the Kirra skyline has been given the green light despite a community campaign opposing its construction.

KTQ Group’s Kirra Point development was approved at Thursday’s full council meeting, with 10 councillors voting in its favour.

Those against were councillors Peter Young, Daphne McDonald and Hermann Vorster.

The developer will now move to fast-track construction of its second stage which will be built by late 2026. KTQ development director Jeremy Holmes said he was delighted with the council’s decision.

“We welcome this approval as it will enable us to move to the delivery of the second stage of the Kirra Point masterplan,” he said.

Artist impression of Kirra Point, the development replacing the demolished Kirra Beach Hotel.

“We have spent more than a decade planning and executing what we believe is a well-considered precinct that will be an asset to the southern Gold Coast for many years to come.

“Stage one which includes the Miles Residences and the new Kirra Beach Hotel is due for completion later this year where the community and residents will be able to enjoy and experience the first elements of The Kirra Point precinct.

“This approval will enable us to accelerate the delivery of the entire masterplan.”

The Kirra project will consist of three towers of 16, 13 and seven storeys respectively, a retail precinct and a rebuilt Kirra Beach Hotel.

It is expected to be built by 2026 after KTQ announced it would fast-track construction to build it three years ahead of schedule. More than 300 residents have signed a petition opposing the project.

Councillor Hermann Vorster. Picture, John Gass

City leaders were split on the project’s merits, with newly installed planning boss Mark Hammel describing it as ‘far superior” to existing buildings, while others expressed concern about its wider impact.

Robina councillor Hermann Vorster said: “Today’s decision to approve this development is not about striking the balance between the community and the developer because the original approval (for the first tower which is now under construction) already tilted the scales well and truly towards the developer.”

“I like the look of the development, it’s quite extraordinary what they have put together but unfortunately … on process alone I can’t vote in support.”

Coolangatta councillor Gail O’Neill and outgoing planning chairman Cameron Caldwell were unable to take part in the debate because each received $10,000 in donations from Ganra Pty Ltd before the 2016 poll. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by the pair.

The company is directed by former coal baron Brian Flannery and his wife Peggy who also head KTQ, the company behind the Kirra Point development.

‘We’re voiceless’: Residents fume as councillors MIA for big vote

Residents are furious that two councillors can’t represent them or vote on a mega hotel project at Kirra after the pair received donations totalling $20,000 from the developer.

Both southern-based councillor Gail O’Neill and planning chair Cameron Caldwell will leave the chamber on Thursday when the final vote on approving stages two and three of the $380 million Kirra hotel-resort development goes before full council.

When the development application was first heard in April at a planning committee meeting the councillors volunteered to leave, given they each received $10,000 in donations from Ganra Pty Ltd before the 2016 poll. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by the pair.

Updated plans on the second stage of the proposed Kirra Hotel site redevelopment on the southern Gold Coast.

The company is directed by former coal baron Brian Flannery and his wife Peggy who also head KTQ, the company behind the Kirra Point development.

They spent about $22m buying the old hotel site opposite the Kirra Surf Life Saving Club.

Cr Caldwell declined to comment beyond saying that state legislation required that he leave the room and not take part in the debate.

Cr O’Neill referred the Bulletin to her most recent statement: “But due to my conflict I feel it is the right thing for me to declare and play no role in the assessment or decision making for Kirra Beach Hotel.”

Kirra Residents Association leader Sue-Maree McEnearney said the developers have already increased the scale of the development in 2013 and 2019 and now were seeking a 35 per cent increase in size for the overall development.

Some local residents are keen for the other Kirra Beach Hotel development towers to go ahead despite a community campaign to stop it. Picture Glenn Hampson

If approved in full, the Kirra project will consist of three towers of 16, 13 and seven storeys respectively, a retail precinct and a rebuilt Kirra Beach Hotel.

It is expected to be built by 2026 after KTQ announced it would fast-track construction to built it three years ahead of schedule. More than 300 residents have signed a petition opposing the project.

Voting by councillors at previous meetings has been split with some admitting they were “confused and torn”.

Ms McEnearney said Cr O’Neill and Cr Caldwell’s position in relation to the vote “has left community members unrepresented with no voice in council”.

“This has caused frustration in the community and powerlessness,” she said

Cr Cameron Caldwell. Picture Glenn Hampson

However, Cr O’Neill disputes this, saying she had organised, but not taken part in, meetings between residents and planning staff.

“I have to leave it to my colleagues but even though they have their own divisions, this is why it goes to committee, so we can have a debate.”

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates also met with residents.

Residents applauded Cr Hermann Vorster and Cr Peter Young for voting against the application, along with support from Deputy Mayor Donna Gates and Cr Daphne McDonald.

“We thank them, and applaud their decision in line with the City Plan and the correct interpretation of the legislation regarding the assessment of an other change application that is impact assessable,” Ms McEnearney said.

Councillor Gail O'Neill. Picture Glenn Hampson

Cr William Owen-Jones at committee admitted Cr O’Neill was in a difficult position because the state had changed laws on declaring conflicts.

Previously, there was not a set limit on donations which saw councillors excluded from meetings. In late 2020, new laws saw gifts of more than $2000 judged as a prescribed conflict of interest, requiring councillors to leave the room.

Cr Owen-Jones at committee said: “It’s a difficult proposition we have today because changes to the state legislation made it very difficult for the city councillor for the area to be in the room, whereas previous legislation would have enabled the people’s representative to be here.”

Cr Vorster, who has met with residents and the developer and opposes the application, also at the committee meeting earlier this month spoke of the challenges for Cr O’Neill.

“Cr O’Neill is not in an enviable position at all. I’m sure she would have had something to contribute to this debate if the state government had not changed the legislation,” he said.