Councillors hit pause on proposed Airlie Beach development
Whitsunday councillors have expressed reservations over further residential development at a central Airlie Beach site.
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A new residential development at the Port of Airlie will not be approved until Whitsunday councillors personally inspect the proposed site to assess the appropriateness of more multi-unit lots.
At their May 12 meeting in Proserpine, councillors resolved to defer their decision on a development application proposing a new six-lot residential subdivision.
It would give them time to visit the site and consider whether plans to build new dwellings, including a four-storey apartment building, were compatible with the waterfront precinct's existing commercial activities.
Councillors were not convinced by planning officers' assurances the proposed development was "not a bad fit" for the area, raising concerns about a potential clash between residential living and commercial activities associated with the port's existing marine and bus terminals, which would be in close proximity.
"You might as well build right next to the airport," Cr Al Grundy said, raising noise from boat servicing as a potential complaint.
It was Cr Jan Clifford who suggested holding back on a decision until all councillors had a good grasp of the history and other potential uses of the site, and Cr Grundy agreed, saying the council needed more clarity on the overarching vision for the port precinct.
"What is the plan for this whole area?" he asked.
"Is it a residential area or a commercial precinct?
"The lines are getting more and more blurred."
Development services director Neil McGaffin, who lives at the Port of Airlie, told the meeting even if the council rejected the current subdivision proposal, a previous approval for 10 multiple dwelling unit/accommodation units and 10 community title lots at the same site was "still alive".
"It just depends what they [Meridien] want to do first," he said.
When Cr John Collins asked if the council would "have a leg to stand on" in terms of rejecting the current application, Mr McGaffin responded that the applicant "would win" if the matter went to an appeal court.
"In my opinion, there appears to be little reason to knock it on the head," he said.
The application will be determined at a future council meeting.
Originally published as 'You might as well build right next to the airport'
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