City planners tick of approval to Ritz Carlton Hotel at The Spit despite opposition
City planning officers have revealed a major call on plans for the $480 million revamp of Mariners Cove on The Spit, including a six-star Ritz Carlton hotel. Find out more here.
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The $480 million revamp of Mariners Cove on The Spit, including a six-star Ritz Carlton hotel, is recommended for approval by City planning officers.
The development application with the officer recommendation will be voted on by city councillors after being a shock late inclusion for a planning committee meeting on Thursday.
Gold Coast City Council planners in a report decided on “approval with conditions” after the three-level height of the luxury tourism project met the strict conditions set by The Spit Master Plan.
If a majority of councillors tick off on the recommendation as expected, it will hasten the end for the city’s $100 million tourism marine industry leasing berths on the site. The Marine Tourism Association has called on the state government to fast forward alternate berthing sites for the 30 tourism businesses using the Mariners Cove wharf.
The City planning decision will also upset heavyweight tourism neighbours.
Gordon Corp, which is building its $300m Mantaray Marina and Residences to the south, lodged an to city planners against the project. Marina Mirage also made a complaint to council.
But officers see the development providing “an exciting range of retail, entertainment, cultural, accommodation and commercial activities for the local community and visitors”.
A key component is a plaza and the public boardwalk at no cost to ratepayers.
The conditions include the developer undertaking any necessary repair and maintenance of the plaza and boardwalk, and ensuring it will be publicly accessible at all times.
City Planning received 20 submissions opposed to the development, and none in support. Submissions included concerns about loss of marine berths, noise, carparking and traffic.
Main Beach Marine Tourism spokesman Tony Johnson said the likely approval of the Ritz Carlton private arena spells the end for 30 marine tourism businesses and destroys hundreds of jobs.
“We call on the state government to immediately approve Carters Basin as a new alternative marine precinct,” he said. “And for council to make its support crystal clear.
“lt’s time for the state to work with council and the Waterways Authority to deliver it.
“The state has known this was coming and has had years to find a solution.
“Now its been blindsided by the speed of this approval. We will now also assess the merits of appealing the approval in (Planning) Court.”
Council officers in a response acknowledged the plight of marine businesses but said it was not a consideration under the Planning Act.
City planners on traffic concerns said all intersections in Sea World Drive were shown to operate smoothly with sufficient spare capacity.
Council had recently upgraded Waterways Drive to provide two northbound lanes and a roundabout to signals at the intersection of Seaworld Drive and MacArthur Parade.
“This has provided improved capacity to accommodate development north of MacArthur Parade,” City planners said.
“Officers are therefore satisfied that sufficient capacity exists within the surrounding local road network and intersections to accommodate the proposed development.”
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