City rejects golf course housing development at Arundel but approves luxury high rise on island

Councillors have made a final vote on two controversial northern projects, rejecting one development but backing new luxury high rise. See where

Councillors have made a final vote on two controversial northern projects, rejecting the Arundel Country Club development but backing new luxury high rise at Sovereign Islands.

The vote at a full council meeting on Thursday was unanimous in refusing an application for a $150m residential estate at the rundown Arundel Hills golf course.

Council planning committee chair Mark Hammel has described the nine-page refusal written by City officers “as the strongest I’ve seen”.

He said the planned residential development would result in the removal of 75,000sq m of vegetation and four waterways, with the impact on existing fauna being “catastrophic”.

Cr Hammel at the full council meeting congratulated the role of Arundel Hills Golf Course Community Reference Group led by Jason Young.

Residents arriving at the Gold Coast City Council protesting against residential development planned for the Arundel Country Club.

Their members packed the gallery and applauded Cr Hammel when he said the refusal would be strongly defended by the City if the developer launched a legal appeal.

Mayor Tom Tate said the developer should consider spending their money on fixing the rundown golf course.

“They should clean up the place, open the doors and play a bit of golf,” he said.

The city had received 1163 objections, most of them from nearby residents, and individual accounts rather than a signing off on a pro-forma letter.

Only 119 submissions were made in support.

Plans which show a development proposal seeing a residential estate on the old golf course at the Arundel Hills Country Club.

Division 7 candidate for this year’s council elections Joe Wilkinson, who had worked with residents to voice their concerns, said it was an “outstanding result” for the community.

“This reflects the community’s sentiments and sends a strong message to developers,” he said.

In their report on Sovereign Islands, officers had recommended approval of the two unit buildings, which feature rooftop pools as part of an improved neighbourhood centre.

More than 200 residents in submissions opposed the development. Some have warned they will take legal ­action against council.

Cr Hammel and new area councillor Shelley Curtis, as part of consultation, attended a community meeting where they answered more than 30 questions.

Cr Hammel believes officers have addressed many of the concerns of residents. He congratulated Cr Curtis on her representation on her first major planning issue.

Plans showing a new neighbourhood centre at the entrance to Sovereign Islands on the northern Gold Coast.

But he said buildings in a neighbourhood centre could be slightly taller than those in the surrounding residential areas.

He acknowledged residents were concerned about not just height but bulk of the buildings on site.

He said two buildings separated by 17m was a better outcome than “one large bulky building”.

Some residents believe their property values will decrease by 30 per cent.

But Cr Hammel said the current entry statement to the luxury island estate was in a poor condition.

“It’s not a landscape entry people are proud of anymore,” he said.

Cr Curtis opposed approval, outlining concerns of residents including the buildings being built on a large area of open space at the entry point to the island.

She said the location of car park would see pedestrians cross the island’s entry and exit point.

Cr Hammel told the meeting the loss of open space was on privately owned land.

“It’s not a public park. You can’t kick a football on it,” he said.

Only Glenn Tozer, Hermann Vorster and Daphne McDonald joined Cr Curtis in opposing the recommendation of approval.

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