Douglas town houses and health service application denied by councillors

An application for 14 townhouses, health care services and a pharmacy in Douglas has been denied. See why councillors knocked it back.

A depiction of the health care services and pharmacy that had been proposed for Waverley Lane in Douglas.

An application for 14 townhouses, health care services and a pharmacy in Douglas has been denied, because of the risk of traffic build-up and potential shortage of parking.

Townsville City councillors voted against the proposal seven-four with mayor Troy Thompson and deputy Paul Jacob adding to the objects to the application for 12-14 Waverley Lane.

The proposal by applicant Martinez Garcia Pty would be for a four storey mixed use development on a site area of 3875m2 sits in an open space zone.

The applicant considered the zone to be an “oversight” from a previous council decision because the area already included townhouses and a tavern.

The units would range from 101m2 to 170m2 and would also include a two storey commercial building to be used for health care services and a shop.

The area in Douglas which has been labelled an open plan zone.

It initially proposed a single storey childcare centre which was not referenced in the final application brought before councillors.

“White the health care services use is anchored by a GP, there is the intention to integrate other health care services in the future,” the proposal said.

It would include 24 car parks.

The building design and area at 12-14 Waverley Lane.

Division 6 councillor Suzy Batkovic said further development build-up could create a “debacle” in the community.

“We’ve got growth, we’ve got movement, it’s going to continue to get worse,” she said.

She supported more housing in principle but said existing townhouses in Douglas already had a shortage of parking, the lane was narrow, and ambulance access could be problematic.

“These houses and these townhouses have been there for a very long time so they’ve been parking at the back of there, so essentially we’re going to be saying ‘you can’t park there anymore’,” she said.

A 3D visualisation of the proposal in Douglas.

“You’re going to cause a problem somewhere else.”

Division 8 councillor Andrew Robinson supported the application because he said it fulfilled requirements.

He said the applicant should not be obstructed because of past council decisions which had led to the area being changed to an open space zone.

The design of the buildings according to the application.

“I certainly agree with Cr Batkovic’s view that it’s a bit of a dog’s breakfast, the whole traffic management plan, and it is fairly narrow streets,” he said.

“But again, should we be punishing somebody who is abiding by the rules and putting forward their proposal based on previous … decisions?”

Mayor Troy Thompson opposed it because he was concerned a build-up in the lane would impact services for existing properties, while deputy mayor Paul Jacob said he could have supported the proposal if the lane was a one-way street.

The proposal for 12-14 Waverley Lane.

There were 14 submissions sent to the council about the proposal, and only two of these supported it.

Estuary Parade resident Richard Rankin said he supported it because it would be a “high value complex” which residents would be able to access.

Edgewater Apartments unit owner Amanda Bryant had issues with the development because of privacy, noise, and flooding concerns.

“The location of the current Medical Centre which is on higher ground is a more suitable location and as a result of the Flood Risk in this area, it would be negligent to allow a residential development on this sight,” she said.

Councillors against the proposal were Mr Thompson, Mr Jacob, Ms Batkovic, Liam Mooney, Kurt Rehbein, Vera Dirou and Kristian Price.

Councillors who supported the proposal were Mr Robinson, Brodie Phillips, Ann-Maree Greaney and Brady Ellis.

Originally published as Douglas town houses and health service application denied by councillors