Half Moon Bay development passes council after objections over traffic, flooding and block sizes

Frank Gasparin’s Half Moon Bay development has gone before Cairns Regional Council, where it was subjected to vigorous debate. This is the outcome.

Frank Gasparin’s proposed residential estate at Half Moon Bay in Trinity Park has passed a council vote. Picture: Supplied

Frank Gasparin’s contentious Half Moon Bay housing development has been granted approval after vigorous debate and multiple objections in the Cairns Regional Council chambers.

The almost 250-lot masterplanned community at Trinity Park has been the subject of debate and controversy at council and the northern beaches community since application lodgement in 2022, but all that formally ended with eight hands raised on Wednesday morning at council’s ordinary meeting.

Mr Gasparin said he was stoked with the outcome but also disappointed the proposal was criticised from almost every possible angle.

Developer Frank Gasparin said he was happy the proposal passed but was disappointed with criticism raised at the council meeting. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I couldn't believe what I heard. It was disappointing, very much so,” he said.

“They (the critics) don’t understand what we’re trying to do.

“We want to make the best development possible … we’re trying to create a product that people want, something a bit different. We’ve done our research.”

Approval was granted despite the prescribed minimum lot size for that location being 800 sqm – the Half Moon Bay lot sizes range from 176 sqm to 698 sqm.

Division 9 councillor Brett Olds objected to the proposal in part because of the lot sizes.

A renders of possible housing at Mr Gasparin’s Half Moon Bay development. Picture: Supplied

“I am sure there are positives to this development and the residents would like to see the land developed in some capacity … but the community expectation is there shouldn’t be 249 blocks there and the planning scheme says the block sizes shouldn’t be less than 800 sqm,” Ms Olds said.

Mr Gasparin contended zoning made his masterplan appropriate.

“It’s zoned for tourist accommodation,” he said.

“We could have done high rise there, but we chose not to so houses could enjoy the beach environment.”

Division 9 councillor Brett Olds objected to the proposal, saying it was against community expectation. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Gasparin said his company would quickly proceed with works.

“Now we’ve got approval we will open tenders for earthworks next week,” he said.

“We’ll be building within the next four to five months.”

Mr Olds also asserted the development would add unacceptable strain to the local road network.

“Every single morning you drive out there, it’s a mess. Try adding in another 211 vehicle movements at peak times … and tell me that’s not going to affect the amenity and people’s lives,” he said.

Division 8 councillor Rhonda Coghlan voted in favour of the proposal. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

Council’s director of planning Ed Johnson said the development would bring improvements to the road network.

“The road network can carry the increase,” Mr Johnson said.

“(Upgrades) will ensure the road network is designed and fit for purpose.”

Division 8 councillor Rhonda Coghlan said she understood the feelings of the community on the development proposal.

“This has been a particularly tough one,” Ms Coghlan said.

Division 2 councillor Rob Pyne rejected the proposal. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

“I’ve walked that land many times myself … it’s in my backyard, it’s beautiful.

“It’s never been public land. This land has always been zoned for development. Council has never owned it, it has never been a reserve.

“We very much need to acknowledge the need for housing. We are not developing housing at the same rate the city is growing.”

Division 2 councillor Rob Pyne was the second objector to the proposal, saying he wasn’t convinced the development would not sufficiently reduce the public need for social and affordable housing.

A render of proposed housing at Mr Gasparin’s Half Moon Bay development. Picture: Supplied

He also rejected it because the flood risk had not been properly appreciated, he said.

“In a time of severe climatic events, I think we’re putting people in harm’s way in the future,” Mr Pyne said.

Mr Gasparin rejected suggestions flooding would be a problem in the development location.

“There’s no problem with that. During the last flooding, there was no issue at all,” he said.

Brett Moller, Cathy Zeiger, Jeremy Neal, Amy Eden, Kristy Vallely, Max O’Halloran, Rhonda Coghlan and mayor Terry James all voted in favour of the proposal.

“This particular developer has done a lot of work in Cairns … his work has been exemplary,” Mr James said.

Originally published as Half Moon Bay development passes council after objections over traffic, flooding and block sizes