Inside story on the political numbers on the vote to approve beachfront towers

The Gold Coast is at war - over high-rises. See where councillors stand on the controversial developments fuelling the divide.

Lawyers for Gold Coast council say developers can build as many high rises as they want in coastal suburbs. If they meet the criteria, they can even go higher.

Is the war by residents against towers really over?

It might seem odd but it has only begun. How will it play out?

This is a development battle where the first of three steps in winning – which for residents means reducing height and bulky buildings – involves political numbers.

A voting pattern on the hot issue of tower heights has finally surfaced in the new council.

The recent decision on 107 Jefferson Lane at Palm Beach tells us a lot. Officers recommended approval from a request by the developer to go from 10 to 12 levels.

The councillor vote in the chamber was 10-5 supporting the recommendation.

Palm Beach’s new councillor Josh Martin, strongly opposed to the height increase, had four colleagues backing him – Glenn Tozer, Nick Marshall, Brooke Patterson and Peter Young.

Palm Beach councillor Josh Martin. To his right, a map showing residents opposed to high rises, and below new developments approved.

Coolangatta’s Gail O’Neill wanted to support him, but was aware of the warning in the independent legal advice to council.

The planning court ticks off on these high-rise upifts.

Robina’s Dan Doran was similar, neither pro or anti-development but not wanting to risk tens of thousands of ratepayer dollars on a court appeal.

Mr Martin replaced the retiring Daphne McDonald, who only had Peter Young in her corner. Your columnist is told Mr Martin lobbied colleagues.

Some of them – listen to the speeches by Ms Tozer and Ms Patterson – spoke up in support.

More of these Palm Beach applications will arrive. As the community protest rises, developers will take advantage to lodge plans under the City Plan.

Mr Martin needs three more votes to swing the tide.

Changes in height proposed for a beachfront residential tower at Jefferson Lane in Palm Beach on the Gold Coast.

The second logical step is him putting forward a motion of “refusal” – then successfully arguing why council should reject an application and risk a court appeal.

A council insider says: “The Mayor refused to take his refusal (motion on Jefferson). I think in the future he (Mr Martin) will be more prepared, he will find his way in the meeting protocol. Tom can be an assertive chair.”

In the speed of debate, Mayor Tom Tate went to Mark Hammel. The planning chair’s argument was as solid as concrete. The legal opinion highlighted the consistency of planning court judgements. Vote against and risk ratepayer money.

Jefferson Lane at Palm Beach.

We are left with the third and final step, the most tricky, because it is the court of public opinion at Palm Beach.

Read some of the posts and comments on Facebook pages put up by ‘tramstoppers’, and their belief is Mr Martin won’t continue to “rock the boat”.

But a council insider says Mr Martin approached council officers and secured information to argue his case for a refusal.

Palm Beach and the Surfers Paradise skyline in the background.

A colleague says: “Josh is working hard, he’s a truly intelligent councillor. He’s lobbying councillors. Josh is reading case law from the Planning and Environment Court to inform debate.”

The final battle will be to have all this information gathered, the community on side and to reform the next City Plan with a blanket position on what is acceptable for heights.

Follow @PaulWestonGC