Old Burleigh Theatre: Shock court decision on future of controversial tower development
The future of a controversial redevelopment of an old Gold Coast landmark into a high-end tower has been revealed after a surprise Christmas court ruling. FIND OUT WHY
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A controversial redevelopment of old Burleigh Theatre - retaining its 1950s-era facade with a high-end tower sprouting above it - is a step closer to reality.
The Gold Coast City Council has won a high-profile legal battle for it to go ahead.
The Planning and Environment Court ruled in council’s favour in a 143-page Christmas Eve decision which paves the way for Sydney developer Weiya Holdings’s plans to transform the landmark heritage building into a high-end tower.
The judge described it as a meritorious application and said it complied with the conservation management plan.
A group of Gold Coast residents - Nicole Archer, Lesley Stewart and Wayne Purcell - had lodged an appeal earlier this year after the council approved a 14-story, 36-unit complex on the Goodwin Terrace site.
Council planning boss Cr Cameron Caldwell welcomed the decision, saying it “endorses the approach taken by council to protect heritage values while facilitating sustainable development”.
“Council listened to the clear community sentiment that they valued this building, and we took immediate action to avoid its loss through the introduction of heritage protections.
“The preservation of the iconic facade was of paramount importance and that has now been achieved.
“The current building has had diminished use over recent years and this redevelopment gives it a new lease on life with its adaptive re-use, adjacent to the light rail station and across the road from Burleigh Beach.”
The development was given the green light in May, 2021, after a long-running dispute over the project’s future.
Ms Archer said the decision was an unpleasant Christmas gift for the public and described it as “disappointing but not shocking”.
We will be reviewing our options but, with Council currently looking to amend the City Plan in regards to heritage, that residents should pay close attention to what’s proposed,” she said.
“The Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade was “protected” by Council to much fanfare in the lead up to the 2020 election and we’ve now seen how that has turned out.”
Ms Archer has 28 days to lodge an appeal.
In August, 2019, Weiya announced plans for a 14-storey luxury apartment tower with a new arcade at its base. The design was revamped after community outrage that the 1950s-era facade would be lost.
The Queensland Heritage Council did not accept a council application for the arcade to be heritage listed on the basis that it had already been heavily redeveloped several times, most recently in 1977.
The heritage council also argued that nothing remained from the original 1930s building.
The new tower will feature a street-front retail arcade that retains the original “bookend” facade and will include a cafe and retail tenancies.
A community campaign pitching another design failed to gain support from council.
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