Gold Coast mum lodges appeal against Palm Beach tower approval
KAREN Rowles has lodged an appeal against the development of a tower next to her Palm Beach “dream home”.
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A PALM Beach mum is taking the Gold Coast City Council to court after they approved a new development that shares a fence line with her property.
In an appeal lodged in the Southport Planning and Environment Court earlier this month, Karen Rowles claims the controversial development approved for the old petrol station site on the Gold Coast Hwy at Palm Beach does not meet planning guidelines and will “negatively impact on local amenity”.
The development planned for the 2170sq m site on the corner of the Gold Coast Hwy and Third Ave is being built by Cru Collective.
The six-storey tower with rooftop terrace is expected to have 66 units, a restaurant and a cafe.
Ms Rowles said her family bought and built on a Jefferson Lane block in 2012, knowing they could have up to seven storeys next to them.
But the mother-of-two said the number of bedrooms proposed for the development is “too dense” for the area.
Ms Rowles said knowing the “dream home” her family built while she was battling cancer would be impacted by the new development was “heart breaking”.
“We’re all for development but this is just not the right type of development for the area,” Ms Rowles said.
“The bulk of the building and the appearance of the building imposes on the area and our lifestyle here.
“More bedrooms will create chaos in streets surrounding us as there is not adequate on-street parking.”
Ms Rowles said she was worried the extra cars would create a safety hazard for pedestrians, “mums running” and “kids on their bikes”.
“We love the community feel and we don’t want anyone put in danger because the council have decided to put a development that is breaking guidelines,” she said.
Ms Rowles said the development is closer than recommended to adjoining properties and has a higher bedroom density than allowed.
Her appeal, lodged on September 21, says the development should be approved only with “amended conditions”.
She said the “six to seven metre high will along the eastern boundary” of properties on Jefferson Lane would impact the amenity to her and neighbour’s properties.
Retiring Planning and Environment Court Judge Clive Wall on Thursday described the Gold Coast City Council as being “pro-development, almost at any cost”.
Ms Rowles said residents in the street are backing her decision to appeal against the development approval.
The development received 14 objections made to council as well as a petition containing 35 signatures before it was approved.
Planning committee chair Cameron Caldwell said council will “participate fully” in the appeals process.
“We look forward to early discussions in order to reach a timely and satisfactory resolution,” he said.
“Council carefully considered the matter and issued an approval for the development in accordance with an officer recommendation.”
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