Gold Coast residents launch court appeal after approval of new $13 million Kurrawa Surf Club development

AN appeal has been lodged against council approval of the $13 million upgrade of the Kurrawa Surf Club because the new building would block ocean views and destroy long-standing Norfolk pines.

Artist Impressions and plans for new extensions to Kurrawa Surf Club .

THE games have already started, with Kurrawa residents taking the Gold Coast City Council to court over its approval of a $13 million upgrade of the local surf club ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth event.

Residents say the improvments to the club will block views, and also mean the loss of some treasurer Norfolk pines.

The council is being accused of not giving “careful consideration” to the use of valuable public land for the key Broadbeach development while its area councillor Paul Taylor faces allegations of having a conflict of interest.

An artist impression for new extensions to Kurrawa Surf Club.

Some residents believe their objections could have been resolved by moving the new building just 20m south of its planned site next to the existing surf club.

They maintain that would have saved the 30-year-old trees, the beach view could remain clear for visitors at the Charles Avenue retail area across the road and space opened up in the parkland for Commonwealth Games activities.

Former council officer Victoria Jones, who has 20 years experience in urban design, in an affidavit to the Planning and Environment Court at Southport, said the council had previously blocked ocean views in 2010 by building toilet blocks.

Councillor Paul Taylor. Photo: Jerad Williams

A View Corridor Study for 118 streets from Main Beach to Coolangatta found only six were obstructed, of which three were linked to Kurrawa Park.

Ms Jones, in the affidavit, declared she owned two properties in nearby Elizabeth Avenue but neither would be affected by the development and her objection was on the grounds of public interest.

“This matter was considered through the City Planning committee and council as what is known as a “starred’ agenda item,” Ms Jones wrote.

The council introduced the system several years ago to improve efficiency when development applications were straightforward and non-controversial.

“In this matter however, there were four objections, the proposal represents a substantially increased occupation of public land for what is primarily a commercial operation,” Ms Jones wrote.

An artist impression for new extensions to Kurrawa Surf Club.

“The sitting divisional councillor (Paul Taylor) is conflicted by his long personal association with the Kurrawa SLSC.

“In these circumstances, the “starring” of the application meant that it did not involve the careful consideration and committee and council deliberation that an unstarred matter would ordinarily require.”

Ms Jones, in her appeal argument, said the council decision ignored two important urban design principles critical in the development application.

She described the sense of feeling close and being able to go to the beach as a “hallmark of the city” and noted people preferred to go where they could see their ultimate destination.

“The building footprint could be moved 20 metres south in line with the existing toilet block. This option would preserve the Charles Avenue view corridor and enable retention of the twin pines,” she said.

Cr Taylor said yesterday he had taken appropriate action to avoid being accused of having a conflict of interest when the development application was discussed at council meetings.

“The situation is I was president of the club for 16 years. I’m a life member,” he said.

“With the resolution (on the planning application), I stepped out of the (committee) room on that one.”

The parties are expected to meet at the Southport Planning and Environment Court today to discuss recent negotiations.