5 story oceanfront development proposed for Bargara

A five-storey apartment building development has been proposed just months after a controversial vote on building heights at Bargara. See the plans.

The location of the proposed development, which will be built alongside several other Bargara high rises.

A five-storey apartment building has been proposed for Bargara, just months after a controversial vote on building heights which caused uproar in the Bargara community.

Owned by Hibiscus Cove the ocean front building at 25 and 27 Esplanade Bargara will offer 28 three-bedroom apartments for residential use, each with balconies and terraces.

Brisbane based Furtado Property employed Brisbane based Mondo Architects to create the floor plan and design the building.

Each floor will include three bedroom apartments with kitchens, dining rooms, laundry rooms and balcony access.

The 18m tall development includes 57 parking spots, 50 of which will be in the basement car park, a pool and a focus on natural landscaping.

According to the 172 page proposal to the Bundaberg Council, community consultation and feedback was not required for the proposed development.

“The requirements for a development application to be publicly notified in Queensland is related to the applications level of assessment within the relevant Council’s Planning Scheme,” a council spokesperson said.

“This development application is code assessable and does not require public notification.”

Artist impressions of the development, which includes the darker colour scheme to “maximise absorption of any light reflection”.

Environmental considerations

The building will differ greatly with its high rise neighbours, with a darker painting scheme contrasting with the several white and cream facades currently built along the esplanade.

A 20 page environmental lighting impact mitigation plan was completed by Rubidium Lighting with a focus on how the lighting of the proposed development will affect turtle laying in the region.

Considerations were paid to features such as the tint on the glass in windows and doors, the angle of lighting across the building and ways to reduce light reflection.

“Light sources that reduce intensity in the marine turtles visible spectrum,” were also included in the proposal.

The development application said lighting would only be used as necessary.

Community response

Community concern surrounding ongoing developments in Bargara have been a hot topic at Bundaberg Regional Council meetings over the past 18 months.

Following the council vote around building heights in November 2022, residents raised concerns about the region’s turtle hatchlings at Bargara and nearby Mon Repos.

George Martin, who campaigned against nine-storey development, pictured in 2018 outside the Bundaberg Regional Council building with a petition signed by the community.

George Martin said it was shame the community didn’t have an opportunity to speak on new developments in Bargara.

“Sadly, this is what the Council have been hell bent on streamlining through their planning scheme process, and I imagine we are going to see a lot more of this,” he said.

He raised concern about the approval process under the new building heights.

“It will certainly add to the congestion in the area, and I feel for the single storey neighbours who will have five storeys of neighbours looking over their fence,” he said.

The council said it “does not comment on development applications which are under assessment.”

Property records show the Hibiscus purchased the property, which neighbours The Point apartments, in August 2021 for $2.8m.

Building plans for the proposed development.

Originally published as 5 story oceanfront development proposed for Bargara