Sovereign Island building height protest as residents petition council

RESIDENTS of one of the Gold Coast’s most exclusive and expensive estates are moving to block plans for high-density apartment buildings being developed in their neighbourhood.

RESIDENTS at Sovereign Island say they will fight any move to allow unit developments at the exclusive estate.

A petition signed by 67 residents has been accepted by the council as it continues to assess City Plan zoning, building height and residential density.

Aerials of Sovereign Island off Paradise Point. Picture Mike Batterham

A report to council said council officers had considered the petition as they were preparing planning changes which should trigger public consultation early in the New Year.

Residents have requested that a medium-density zone on a small section of the island be replaced with a low-residential density zoning.

Councillors have debated the building height row in closed session and a resident was advised much of the discussions remain confidential.

A senior planning officer in a letter to a resident wrote: “However, please note City officers will investigate the matters raised in your petition, and any changes as a result of this investigation will form part of a future update of the City Plan.”

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Ali Mian, Principal, Ray White, Runaway Bay. Picture: Regi Varghese

Sovereign Islands Owners Corporation chair Ann Glenister said the petition was sparked by a plan to build 10 apartments, in two three-level buildings, across a canal-front site on Royal Albert Crescent.

The council had rejected the application but residents unsure what would happen on the site want to ensure councillors were aware of their stand.

“Obviously the developers think it is a good idea (to develop these sites for units) and obviously the residents do not,” Ms Glenister said.

The luxury homes of Sovereign Islands on the Gold Coast seen in drone footage captured by Bulletin photographer Glenn Hampson

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“The people of Sovereign Islands sign a deed and covenant, and part of that is the allocation of one development per lot. They came here not expecting multiple units.”

Some residents have met with councillors and asked for a review of a zoning which could allow for more density on the island as developers hover on prime sites.

“There’s 700 lots allowing for one development per lot. It’s a whole-of-island attitude. There is nothing commercial here. We don’t even have a community centre,” Ms Glenister said.

Ray White’s Runaway Bay Group principal Ali Mian, who lives on the island, said the exclusive estate could not cope with multi-unit development.

“It will spoil the whole feel of the place. It’s a world-recognised destination. It’s such a prestigious estate,” Mr Mian said.

“Why would you want to spoil it with high density? I think council needs to review that zone. Sovereign Island has only one bridge connection with the mainland.

“It’s only two lanes. You can’t put high density in there. It’s an exclusive world resort address. Why devalue the area?”

Mr Mian said developers who were considering sites for redevelopment would face strong opposition from residents to any proposal.