Noble Ventures to launch ‘immediate’ appeal over rejected Gold Coast retirement village tower, slam Cr Hermann Vorster

The developers of a controversial retirement village tower proposed for the Gold Coast have again taken aim at a city councillor and say they plan to lodge an immediate appeal. SUBSCRIBE TO READ THE FULL SAGA

THE developer of a controversial retirement village tower rejected at City Hall this week have fired another shot at a Gold Coast City councillor, and say their fight for approval has only just begun.

Noble Ventures, headed by brothers Daniel and Roger Noble, say they will launch an appeal “immediately” into the council’s decision to rub out the tower in a flood-prone area of Varsity Lakes.

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They’ve also questioned the opposition by area councillor Hermann Vorster, branding his actions “disingenuous”, and say he repeatedly refused to meet with them during the application process.

Cr Vorster has responded by saying he did not “make a habit” of meeting with developers.

Before Tuesday’s vote at full council, Noble Ventures accused Cr Vorster of having a conflict of interest given his wife worked for adjacent Bond University. Cr Vorster strongly denied the claim.

“My personal interest in the matter was disclosed to my colleagues both in planning and at full council, and in full accordance with the law,” he said.

Aerial view of planned retirement village tower for Robina.

“Council made the decision, it was not my decision, and the vote being 13-2 should give a good indication that council collectively believed the application should have been refused.

“Council has exercised its duty to make a decision about the development. If the developer feels strongly they should not be dissuaded from making an appeal.”

The 17-storey tower, to be known as Noble Life, would overlook Bond University’s Robina campus from Bermuda Street.

The 6647sq m site at the edge of Lake Orr was designed to have 121 units and 242 bedrooms, with no nursing home facilities or medical staff in the building.

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Council officers recommended approval of the tower opposite Lake Orr, arguing the risks to residents had been mitigated despite concerns raised about the flood impact.

In a strong address Cr Vorster outlined what he considered “intolerable risks” regarding community safety.

How the planned retirement village would look.

He referred to residents having to be provided with three days supply for food in case of a flood, and their need to access a helipad for evacuation on the top 17th-floor level.

An alternate power source needed to be provided to supply electricity to residents but the application provided no evidence of where that was related, he added.

Daniel Noble told the Bulletin on Wednesday: “Cr Vorster’s arguments against the project in particular we felt were disingenuous.

“His office made it very clear to us in no uncertain terms that they would not meet with us, at any time, to discuss this development.

“They said (he would not be available) at any point, ever.

“To be so violently against our proposal, yet not want to meet with us to discuss outcomes, we found very strange.”

The 17-storey tower, to be known as Noble Life, would overlook Bond University’s Robina campus from Bermuda Street. Picture: Supplied.

Cr Vorster on Thursday said he did not “make a habit” of meeting with developers.

“I generally do not speak with developers, and particularly not during caretaker mode,” he said.

“There was no guarantee that I was to be re-elected at the last election.”

During a lengthy debate on Tuesday, Hinterland councillor Peter Young warned opposing the application would place the council in an “indefensible position”.

The Bulletin understands many of the councillors who voted for the development believed opposing it could lead to costly legal action.

Noble Ventures director Roger Noble said the group had been blindsided by the decision and planned to appeal “immediately”.

“Their decision is not planning based, it’s political based,” he said.

“We are committed to bringing this project to the community (and we’ve been told) we have a very strong chance of appeal.”

“We will not be backing down.”