Six-storey unit development plans for Kewarra Beach

A well-known vacant site at a prime northern beaches site has been earmarked for a huge unit development with a height of 18m.

Plans for a six-storey unit development at a former quarry site off Moore Rd at Kewarra Beach have been lodged with Cairns Regional Council. Picture: Supplied

Plans for a six-storey unit development at Kewarra Beach have been revived by Chinese developers.

Golden Lakes NQ Pty Ltd, whose directors are China-based Yutong Wang and Kewarra Beach-based Robert Zing, has applied to Cairns Regional Council to resurrect a development approved in 2014 but which lapsed in 2016.

They are seeking to build 216 units across three main buildings of six levels – five levels of units plus ground level parking, and two single level buildings on the lakefront.

There will be 333 carparking spaces.

Plans for a six-storey unit development at a former quarry site off Moore Rd at Kewarra Beach have been lodged with Cairns Regional Council. Picture: Supplied

The site is a 10.64ha former quarry off Moore Rd on the western side of the Captain Cook Highway.

There is a body of water on the site that is called Canyon Lake on the development application.

It is almost adjacent to the giant The Palms Collection development of some 330 residential lots at the former Paradise Palms Golf Course.

The proposal is for is a former quarry site off Moore Rd at Kewarra Beach. Picture: Supplied

“While inconsistencies with the low density residential zone are acknowledged, the proposed development was previously considered by council to achieve the strategic outcomes of the planning scheme and we submit that this remains to be the case,” the document stated.

“In fact this position is strengthened by the recent ‘Palms’ variation approval which will see a range of complimentary land uses established within close proximity to the site, including a school and various commercial uses.”

The development includes four villas and 333 carparking spaces. Picture: Supplied

The units will be 18m high.

The proposal includes one, two and three bedroom units and four three bedroom villas, intended for permanent occupancy with work over three stages from east to west across the site.

The document notes the proposal is a divergence away from the intent of the low density residential zone and the maximum building height.

Council stated in a preliminary response it would need to be demonstrated that the development was compatible with and complementary to the surrounding development in scale, bulk and streetscape pattern, with particular reference to the adjoining residential development.

The six-storey unit development was approved in 2014 but the approval lapsed. Picture: Supplied

The site was previously used as a quarry and is characterised by weathered rock benched walls.

The Palms Collection is a $300m-plus development on 87ha with enclave two now selling.

The development encompasses 30ha of open space, with a water park and adventure playground, new Catholic school, village hub, large parks and public trails and a central park with an amphitheatre.

The Palms’ journey included a legal appeal from neighbouring residents to block redevelopment of the former golf course.

The dispute ended in June 2021 after a settlement was reached between the parties.

Originally published as Six-storey unit development plans for Kewarra Beach