Residents react to Pacific Paradise development proposal

Developers and residents are at odds over if a beachside Sunshine Coast suburb is right for a six-storey unit project touted to help the region meet growing population demands.

The development proposal at Pacific Paradise will include three buildings on the former lawn bowls site.

Residents of a sleepy Sunshine Coast suburb have hit back at a mega-sized building proposal with the developer defending the building height in the name of housing supply.

The Pacific Paradise development proposal features buildings ranging from three-storeys to six-storeys to provide 127 units and 65 motel rooms at the site of a former bowls club next door to the North Shore Tavern.

Pacific Paradise resident Ron Martinot said while he understood the need for more housing in the area, he was unsure the location of the development was the most appropriate.

“As it is the area would not cope, but then again you’ve got to look at things like the Olympics coming and it is clear we lack accommodation, you can’t even get a rental,” Mr Martinot said.

Ron Martinot said while he understood the need for more housing in the region, he wasn't sure the local area would cope with a surge in residents.

“The main thing is traffic, that is one of the big issues, because you’ve got a school just next door as well.

“I’m not against it, but there are people who will be impacted.”

Another resident, Sarah, said the current roads and local facilities such as the school would be unable to cope with the large influx of new residents the units would bring.

“It doesn’t fit the area, there is a reason people live here, it is a small community,” she said.

“I don’t like it all, it changes the whole area and the infrastructure here already isn’t coping, we don’t even have a local high school and as a parent that is a huge concern when you add a lot more kids.”

Artist impressions show the building heights of the proposed Pacific Paradise development.

Developer John Goulter said he had been building housing on the Sunshine Coast since the 1980s and wanted the region to move away from relying on housing estates to meet the demand for homes on the coast.

“There are people living in caravans, cars and tents, “ Mr Goulter said.

“It is not so much the price that is keeping people out of the housing market, it is the availability, people have the dollars they just find anything to spend it on.

“There is quite the supply shortage in anything under one million dollars.”

Mr Goulter said he expects the zoning in the area will change to reflect the need for higher density housing, such as the proposed unit blocks.

“The council, as I understand it, and the state government, are looking for suitable locations for greater heights, where you’ve got services and transportation,” Mr Goulter said.

“We think this (Pacific Paradise) is an ideal spot for what they are talking about.”

Sunshine Coast developer, John Goulter said he'd like to see the region move away from housing estates and towards more unit blocks.

Originally published as Residents react to Pacific Paradise development proposal