Cairns real estate: Clifton Beach five-storey building gets green light despite resident’s fury

Residents of a serene Cairns beachside suburb vehemently opposed plans for a five storey retirement facility – to no avail.

ARLINGTON Esplanade at Clifton Beach will be home to a five-storey building despite opposition from residents who questioned the worth of a town plan if Cairns Regional Council did not adhere to it.

St John’s Community Care will build a retirement facility, which would be 17.265m high.

The project got the green light on October 18.

Council’s interim general manager Planning and Environment Martin Garred acknowledged under planning laws it was recommended that Clifton Beach buildings were not more than 15m and four storeys in height.

But he said council determined the two five storey buildings with a height of 17.25m was acceptable.

“Council determined that the use of tropical design elements and landscaping will preserve the character and amenity of the area,” Mr Garred said.

He said the buildings would be higher than 15m because of design elements including a skillion roof, and spacious lower level.

He said these elements were consistent with the tropical design of adjoining premises and were prominent character features of the area.

The Cairns Plan states in medium residential areas buildings should be not more than 15 metres or four storeys in height but buildings exceeding this can still be approved under an “acceptable outcomes” clause.

St John's Community Care will build a five-storey retirement facility with 32 two-bedroom units at 89-91 Arlington Esplanade, Clifton Beach. Pictured is an artist's impression of the facility, which would adjoin an existing four storey building. Picture: supplied.

The developer argued the modern architectural buildings “cannot reasonably be considered out of character with the locality” and that there is little shadow impact on adjacent properties.

Linda St Quintin said the proposal should have been rejected instantly as it did not meet planning requirements in any way.

St John's Community Care is seeking to build a five-storey retirement facility with 32 two-bedroom units at 89-91 Arlington Esplanade, Clifton Beach. Picture: supplied.

“As to saying it will be a ‘high end retirement facility’ ‐ that is just code for get around planning constraints, then sell the units off at a profit,” she said in her submission.

Northern Beaches resident Helen Kaldenbach said the building did not fit with the character of Clifton Beach, while fellow resident Verena Ali said “council (is) once again not listening to the ratepayers or local community”.

The developer has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Cairns real estate: Clifton Beach five-storey building gets green light despite resident’s fury