HIGH-RISES: Green light for 20-storey buildings in Hervey Bay
A SKY-HIGH $130 million complex near the Urangan Marina will soon take shape after council approved the controversial development.
Fraser Coast
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A SKY-HIGH $130 million complex near the Urangan Marina will soon take shape after council approved the controversial development.
Councillors voted 8-3 at Thursday's meeting to give preliminary approval for two 20-storey residential towners on the corner of Charlton Esplanade and Boat Harbour Dr.
Should investors stick to the plan, the multi-million dollar project could support about 300 construction jobs.
Deputy Mayor George Seymour remains concerned about the precedent it will set for high-rise applications.
The Urangan councillor, who has opposed the application since it was first brought to the Fraser Coast Regional Council in 2016, said the proposed buildings would change the character and density of Hervey Bay.
"It's a disappointing development for Hervey Bay, and not like how I would like to see the city developed," Cr Seymour said.
The application was first lodged in September 2016 on behalf of Anscape Pty Ltd.
Council documents reveal plans for a combined 390 units, along with about 775 car parks, a swimming pool and a restaurant within the complex.
Councillors David Lewis and James Hansen also voted against the development.
Cr Seymour raised concerns that a number of assessments had not been submitted with the application, including an acoustics impact assessment and ecological assessment report.
"It's got preliminary approval... but the developers still have a long way to go before they can start building it," he said.
Infrastructure councillor Denis Chapman warned councillors voting against the motion risked "turning industry away from our region."
"A vote against this is a vote against future confidence in our region... it's all about economic development and growth," Cr chapman said.
No start date on the works has been announced.
Anscape Pty Ltd director Brian Clarke said the units would support aged care residents and tourists.
He revealed the working title of the complex was the "Matthew Flinders Towers", named after the English pioneer.
"It's due to the fact he sailed past in 1799," he said.
"In the past, jobs and development have been lost in Hervey Bay.
"The last few councils have been thinking seriously about these developments... with this project, there's a good chance other developers will come back into the area."
Originally published as HIGH-RISES: Green light for 20-storey buildings in Hervey Bay
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