Palm Beach community group win against super tower signals low rise future

PALM Beach residents are backing plans for lower-rise apartment blocks of about 10 levels which will be the limit even if light rail gets the green light.

PALM Beach residents are backing plans for lower-rise apartment blocks of about 10 levels which will be the limit even if light rail gets the green light.

After successfully fighting to stop The Collective development, the Palm Beach Elanora Community Group is now focused on blocking a similar 18-level development.

But council’s rejection of The Collective is being viewed as a line-in-sand moment for suburb on building height. Mayor Tom Tate expects that will be the limit, even with the trams.

Plans for light rail Stage Four through Palm Beach, showing a pedestrian mall and medium high rise buildings.

The Palm Beach Elanora Community Group believe the suburb will be modernised in parts to feature a pedestrian-friendly mall, complete with street outdoor-dining venues — as shown in light rail department graphics.

Group convenor Lancia Jordana, clarifying its position, told the Bulletin: “Palm Beach Elanora Community Group does not campaign on the light rail, as there are other significant groups (Save our Southern GC) and campaigners leading on this issue.

“No deal has been done with council. Mayor Tate’s comments are unexpected but welcome regarding mid-rise not high rise in Palm Beach.

“However council and State Government must also listen to legitimate community concerns about the impact of the proposed route and excessive cost of the light rail.

“The TMR drawing in the Gold Coast Bulletin article merely illustrates plans for pedestrian and cyclist-friendly local roads, behind a mid-rise backdrop, which we do support. “

Mayor Tate when asked by the Bulletin agreed the height limit around Palm Beach would be about 10 levels, even when the trams passed through as part of Stage 4 light rail from Burleigh to Coolangatta.

“Our town plans have always been between eight and 10 storeys, and for Palm Beach we don’t intend to change any of that especially on the next amendment to the town plan,” he said.

Lancia Jordana, convener of the Palm Beach Elanora Community Group.

“Now it shows that the developers should understand as well and don’t waste their money and our time to put something that’s more expectation. You can have the entrepreneurial spirit but listen to your community.”

He added there was “no need to go any higher” once light rail was built.

Ms Jordana stressed her group, representing more than 2000 residents, was not opposed to development “just to gross overdevelopments that threaten the amenity and appeal of our area”. Neither does it have a position on light rail.

“We do want to see modernisation of the Palm Beach District Centre, but at mid-level heights and density consistent with the City Plan that don’t create traffic and parking chaos and which visually contribute to a contemporary beach vibe that can be enjoyed by both residents and visitors,” she said.

Plans for The Collective, a new tower proposed for Palm Beach on the Gold Coast.

“This means outdoor cafes, restaurants and small shops at street level on the main avenues, well landscaped street frontages with ample shade trees to reduce heat islands, as well as mid-block connections where pedestrians and cyclists can connect across the district centre.

“We also want the council to do more to address housing affordability when planning and approving residential apartment blocks, especially for younger people being priced out of suburbs where they need to work”.

Ms Jordana said the southern Coast was renowned for its greener, cleaner, less urban environment and this should be reflected in the suburb’s buildings, landscapes and open spaces.

Ms Jordana said her group and community had shown they were willing to work with council officers and developers to achieve sensible outcomes.

Palm Beach towers: the 21-level tower by Changfa Pty Ltd planned for Palm Beach.

“But the days of ignoring community concerns about excessive overdevelopments are no longer acceptable,” she said.

The Bulletin this week revealed the development application for the 18-level The Collective had been rejected by council planners. Residents had argued the proposal significantly exceeded the 39-metre height limit for the Palm Beach district centre.

Developer Paul Gedoun, whose company S & S Projects was behind the project, declined to comment on the council’s decision when approached by the Bulletin on Tuesday.

Planning committee chair Cameron Caldwell said the significance of The Collective being refused by officers, under delegated authority, should not be underestimated.

While he acknowledged the work of residents in making submissions, he said the decision should provide some “comfort” to the community about the City Plan working.