Group joins legal fight against major Coast development

Having campaigned heavily against a proposal for a new masterplanned community, a Coast group has signed up to continue its battle on a new front.

A protest organised by Save Twin Waters West.

Having campaigned heavily against a proposal for a new masterplanned community, a Coast group has signed up to continue its battle in court.

Save Twin Waters West and Surrounds Inc will be a co-respondent to Sunshine Coast Regional Council in an appeal lodged by Stockland against the council's refusal of its Twin Waters West development.

Group founder Kathryn Hyman said it was important they showed support for the council.

"This is to show solidarity with council," Ms Hyman said.

WHAT THEY SAID: Councillors justify Twin Waters votes

'Can't believe it': Grassroots win over 'big end of town'

"It's important as a show of support for council for making a good decision here … we'll liaise with council and provide resources and assistance (in the appeal process) where required."

Ms Hyman said the extent of their assistance would depend on the amount of money the group could raise.

"If we had $50,000 we could do something really comprehensive (but) we do believe council will fight this appeal … they'll throw all of our resources at it," she said.

Ms Hyman said other nearby community groups were considering also joining the appeal as co-respondents.

Designs for the Twin Waters West development.

On August 27 Stockland lodged appeal documents in the Planning and Environment Court seeking the refusal be set aside and instead its bid for approval at the 104ha parcel of Pacific Paradise land be granted.

Sunshine Coast councillors voted on July 23 to refuse Stockland's application for the masterplanned Twin Waters West development after Cr Jason O'Pray moved the council go against the advice of its planning department to approve the development.

The officer's recommendation was to approve the application for the 108-lot masterplanned community that would include 645 dwellings across 104ha at Twin Waters.

Cr O'Pray and fellow councillors Ted Hungerford, Rick Baberowski, Maria Suarez, David Law, Christian Dickson, Winston Johnston and Joe Natoli voted for refusal while councillors Peter Cox and Terry Landsberg voted against the motion.

Mayor Mark Jamieson did not take part in the discussion or vote after leaving the room over a perceived conflict of interest.

Stockland noted in its appeal the land was within the urban footprint defined by the State Government as well as within the urban growth management boundary, urban area land use category and the Sunshine Coast enterprise corridor defined by the council.

It also said the proposed development was consistent with and sympathetic to the character of the adjoining Twin Waters estate, was on land that could be developed without unacceptable external impacts and was close to employment hubs including Maroochydore.

 

 

 

Originally published as