Residents at Sovereign Islands protest against first unit block for Coast island enclave
Residents at one of the Gold Coast’s most luxury waterfront estates are in uproar about plans for the island enclave’s first high-end unit block development.
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Residents at one of the Gold Coast’s most luxury waterfront estates are in uproar about plans for the island enclave’s first high-end unit block development.
City planners have recommended approval of several buildings to become part of a new entry statement to Sovereign Islands at Paradise Point.
After talks by officers with the developer, agreement has been reached to reduce some of the buildings from five to four storeys. Plans for a wine bar were also ditched.
But more than 200 residents remain strongly opposed the planned neighbourhood centre with only seven people, in submissions on the development, offering support.
Property owners recently voiced their concerns at a public meeting attended by
new area councillor Shelley Curtis, hosted by planning committee chair Mark Hammel.
“There’s been a lot of consultation. We had about 60 residents there. It was very useful,” Cr Curtis said.
Other councillors later joined Cr Curtis and residents on a site visit. More debate will be held when the residents stage their monthly meeting on Tuesday.
Residents have sent a lengthy objection notice to the City about the application by Sovereign Treasure Pty Ltd Trustee for a change of use to allow for a neighbourhood centre.
Graphics shows the ageing entry statement to the island completely changed by a more intense commercial development, featuring unit blocks with stunning rooftop pools.
Property owners wrote: “At the outset, as a resident, we support development in the city and believe that a mix of land uses on the subject site has the potential to be significantly beneficial to The Sovereign Islands community.
“However, the proposed mixed-use development represents overdevelopment of the site.
“Currently the green open space to the north contains the small pump station but is mostly green grass providing a soft look when entering the island.
“The applicant proposes to build a four-storey apartment building over this green open space – clearly not consistent with the intended uses for Open Space.”
But Urban Planning Services in its submission for the developer said the neighbourhood had larger homes facing west between 9m and 14m in height.
“Due to the site’s location, it is considered the proposed development will blend into the established building height character of these larger homes,” UPS said.
“The slight increase from the established character is negligible within the context of the surrounding area.
“The development is located approximately 50m away from the nearest dwelling and will only equate to a marginal increase in the established building height of the surrounding area.”
Officers in their report commenting on “local character” said residential island estate boasted “grand scale homes” many of which exceed the 9m building height limit within the low density zone.
The development site was the entry statement of the island estate and neighbourhood centres allowed for more intensive development.
“The proposed development provides a scale and grandiosity that is commensurate to the mansion houses, which is unlike other residential enclaves in the city,” officers said.
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