Trees face chop for $100m Belvue tower at Runaway Bay

Runaway Bay residents are angry that trees were chopped at the site of a proposed $100m luxury tower still awaiting council approval. WATCH THE VIDEO

Runaway Bay residents are angry that trees were chopped at the site of a proposed $100m luxury tower still awaiting council approval.

But a spokesman for the tower developer said it had not done anything wrong.

Bella Ramsden captured video footage of trees being chopped down on a block of land where the first high-rise tower planned for Runaway Bay in almost 30 years is proposed.

The 34-storey, $100m Belvue tower, inspired by US resort town Palm Springs, is being pitched as a joint venture by developers Monaco Property Group and Polites Property Group.

A development application for the Bayview St project was lodged with the Gold Coast City Council in October.

Bella Ramsden of Runaway Bay pictured with the trees across the road from her home. Picture: Mike Batterham

Ms Ramsden said residents were aware of the proposed high-rise, but not the tree clearing.

“I have seen all sorts of birds in those trees,” she said.

“If you go there in the afternoon and look up, you will see corellas, rainbow lorikeets, galahs – all sorts of birds.

“I just think it’s a shame.”

The clearing has angered many Runaway Bay residents after Ms Ramsden shared a video of the trees being chopped to a Facebook community group.

There are fears these trees are in danger of being cleared to make way for a tower development. Picture: Mike Batterham

A spokesman for the developer said the clearing was undertaken in accordance with the council’s exempt clearing provisions.

“The site isn’t identified as containing any essential habitat and is not subject to any state or local environmental protection provisions,” he said.

“The construction process will comply with all of council’s relevant environmental guidelines and the redevelopment of the site will involve extensive landscaping to compensate for vegetation removed as part of the construction process.”

A council spokeswoman said two melaleuca trees were approved to be removed by city officers on December 16 as part of a private tree works application.

“No other trees have been approved to be removed at the site,” she said.

Artist impression of Belvue tower proposed for Runaway Bay by Monaco Property Group and Polites Property Group

The spokeswoman said council was yet to make a decision on the development application lodged for the site.

“The City of Gold Coast has received a development application for this site which is currently being considered,” she said.

“A decision will be made in due course.”

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