Palais Coolangatta: Planning and Environment Court’s ruling on Beckdev tower planned for former Jazzland site
A court has knocked back a proposal to change the design of a high-rise in the heart of a beachside Gold Coast suburb. THIS IS WHY
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A rich-lister’s attempt to dramatically increase the size of a proposed tower in the heart of Coolangatta has been shot down for the second time.
The Planning and Environment Court has upheld the Gold Coast City Council’s decision to turn down an attempt by developer Beckdev, headed by Victoria’s Max Beck, to increase its Palais Coolangatta from 18 storeys to 21 levels.
Council approved the smaller-sized, 132-unit tower in late 2023 after Beckdev dropped its originally proposed 22-storey plan.
However Beckdev in early 2024 lodged a “minor change” application to council asking for the extra levels to be added back on, something council declined to do.
The increase in levels would have taken the Jazzland tower from 58.75m to 67.75m.
In a Judgement in the Planning and Environment Court, Judge Michael Williamson dismissed Beckdev’s appeal on the basis that increasing the tower’s size did not meet the definition of a “minor change”.
Judge Williamson said the extra levels meant Beckdev’s proposal was a “substantially different development”.
“To determine whether the change to the development approval results in substantially different development, I had the benefit of a comprehensive bundle of architectural plans and photomontages,” he wrote.
“The photomontages confirm that the additional building height of three storeys and nine metres will be appreciable from multiple viewing points.
“It is appreciable because it marks an obvious increase in the overall height of the built form when compared to the approved development; and because the additional height brings with it additional building bulk, which is evident at the upper most part of the building.”
Judge Williamson, while making no ruling on whether the tower development should or should not be approved, said council’s evidence of the impact of the change convinced him to dismiss Beckdev’s appeal.
“Council persuaded me that the change to the development approval would result in substantially different development,” he said.
“The change to the approved building height and bulk is material and would be visually appreciable from multiple viewing points in the locality, the material increase proposed to building height is sought in circumstances where the planning scheme context suggests this is a parameter sensitive to change, engaging the application of the uplift provision; and the change to the approved building height, if allowed, would give rise to the introduction, or exacerbation, of an adverse impact (overshadowing) that is more than trivial – it will be noticeable.”
The tower, earmarked for the former site of Jazzland on McLean Street, was first proposed in 2021.
The Jazzland dance hall was at the heart of the southern suburb’s social scene from its opening in 1928 until its closure in 1951.
In recent years it was home to an antiques shop.
Beckdev was among six local and interstate buyers vying for the site when it went up for sale in 2021.
Beckdev is an experienced developer, with projects in Sydney and Melbourne.
Its best-known venture was the restoration of the historic 333 Collins St in Melbourne, which was built in the 1890s and was expanded to create an office tower while retaining its original interior.
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