Twin tower marathon debate: how councillors voted on controversial Burleigh development

Councillors are facing a wave of opposition from residents about two separate tower projects about to be approved at full council.

THE controversial twin tower development at Burleigh has been approved despite councillors being divided on the major hotel project for the southern Gold Coast.

Twin towers of 22 levels on the Burleigh beachfront had been ticked off by council’s planning committee despite some councillors voicing support for a smaller boutique hotel development which fitted with a “place analysis” for the suburb.

Twin towers planned for Burleigh on the Gold Coast.

The earlier committee meeting set the stage for an uncertain vote at full council today.

Debate continued until after 6.30pm with rookie councillors Mark Hammel and Brooke Patterson along with Darren Taylor asking officers several probing questions about the project.

Senior council officers admitted “it has been a very difficult application” with four different versions presented to them but ultimately the final one “ticked all the boxes”.

A majority of councillors supported the officer’s recommendation for approval. Councillors Daphne McDonald, Peter Young, Mark Hammel, Brooke Patterson and

Darren Taylor voted in the negative.

The towers at 48-58 The Esplanade and First Ave will provide accommodation for permanent residents and tourists.

Proposed twin tower development at Burleigh on the Gold Coast.

The debate began with former area councillor Pauline Young in a lengthy address speaking about the economic benefits of the five-star hotel development for the southern Coast which could provide for conferences and school formals.

“We need to stay competitive in the tourism market,” Cr Young told colleagues, indicating the development would provide the first five-star accommodation south of Broadbeach, much closer to the airport for tourists than Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach.

She said the project would help many struggling small businesses and offer opportunities for new operators in the area.

Robina-based councillor Hermann Vorster supported her argument, convinced the area needed the project on a large site.

He said Burleigh was not a homogenous area in terms of development and there were differences in sites. “This site is in a high density area,” he added.

Planning chair Cameron Caldwell — supports Burleigh project. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Cr Peter Young opposed the project maintaining it did not meet the requirements for a 50 per cent uplift in height, particularly relating to preserving “local identity”.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates who supported the application said there was “overwhelming evidence” in the 350-page report that there were no grounds for refusal.

Cr McDonald opposed the application because she believed it did not meet accepted outcomes under the City Plan, and she feared car parking numbers could be reduced.

But officers said any reduction in car spaces would have to be considered in a fresh application by council which councillors would have to vote on.

Cr William Owen-Jones earlier in questioning had confirmed the 315 spaces provided were above what was required under the City Plan.

Cr McDonald admitted a five-star project would be great for the southern Gold Coast but had concerns about density.

“Overall the bulk of the building, I don’t really accept that for the residents in the area,” she said.

Planning chairman Cameron Caldwell supported the application saying the development was in-line with the City Plan.

Councillors earlier had ticked off on a 14-level apartment tower at Biggera Waters in Marine Parade.

EARLIER:
COUNCILLORS are facing a wave of opposition from residents about two separate tower projects about to be approved at full council.

Twin towers of 22 levels on the Burleigh beachfront were approved by council’s planning committee last week despite several councillors preferring a smaller boutique hotel development which fitted with a “Place Analysis” for the suburb.

Proposed twin tower development at Burleigh on the Gold Coast.

The towers at 48-58 The Esplanade and First Ave will be for permanent residents and tourists, giving an economic boost to the area by providing up to 50 permanent jobs.

Many residents have also voiced concerns about the planning committee ticking off on a 14-level apartment building in Marine Parade, Biggera Waters.

GOLD COAST’S NEWEST TOWER AT BIGGERA WATERS

A full council vote is needed before both projects can proceed.

A 14-level tower planned for a site at Biggera Waters on the Gold Coast.

Bonney MP Sam O’Connor welcomed the Biggera Waters building being downscaled from 72 units to 44 units, but was worried about carparking shortfalls.

A resident on his Facebook page posted: “So where is the parking for the cafe customers — Brighton Street? Sorry, parking there already a major issue.”

Mr O’Connor told the Bulletin: “There are some substantial (positive) changes they’ve made. The biggest concern is the number of car parks for the cafe.

“There is literally nowhere to park there. They’ve ascertained that the cafe patrons will use the visitors’ car park.

Site of new Biggera Waters tower on the Gold Coast.

“It’s on the edge of the state road, the Gold Coast Highway, and Marine Parade is a yellow line because it is a narrow road.”

BURLEIGH TWIN TOWERS DEVELOPMENT

Another resident in a post to Mr O’Connor wrote: “So the visitors of 44 units need to share six car parks. Is that even remotely realistic. No car parks killed Surfers Paradise. Looks like Biggera Waters will be next.”

The Community Alliance has branded the Burleigh twin towers project “another disgraceful overdevelopment”.

The development was inconsistent with council’s place analysis study and its own commissioned visual amenity impact report, it said.

“A particular concern here is the alarming preparedness of a majority of councillors to ignore the reasonable expectations of the community, as reflected in the publicly consulted City Plan and relax away its provisions to the extent that they are meaningless,” the group said.