Currumbin residents have gone to court to appeal a development approved on Pacific Parade
A Gold Coast community has been left so enraged by a proposed seven-unit beachfront development dozens of residents have lodged court action to stop the building going up. FULL DETAILS >>>
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THE Currumbin community has been left so enraged by a proposed seven-unit beachfront development more than 60 residents have lodged court action to stop the building going up.
The group of residents, which includes members of Friends of Currumbin and the Tugun Progress Association, has gone to the Planning and Environment Court to appeal the Gold Coast City Council’s decision to allow a four-storey, seven unit development on Pacific Parade.
“We don’t want to become the next Palm Beach,” Andrew McLucas, one of the organisers, told the Bulletin.
The group lodged the appeal last month after the council approved the development in August.
The residents fear the building – which will overtake two blocks – is too large for the site and will ruin the view up to the ridge.
They say it the new building will dominate t
he natural landscape and intrude upon the sideline.
The blocks currently each have a two-storey home.
In the court documents the group contends the proposed development by Marquee Flora Pty Ltd does not comply with the City Plan height limits and is “inconsistent with the reasonable expectations of the community.
Mr McLucas said the community viewed stopping the development as vital so that similar large buildings were not planned for the area.
“This is a special part of the Gold Coast,” he said.
“We all think Currumbin is the best beach on the Gold Coast and people come here for that.”
He said one of the major concerns was the height of the building blocking the view from the beach of the vegetation on the hill.
Most buildings in the area did not go above three storeys and the Marquee Flora development planned for four, he said.
“They are large storeys as well,” he said. “And there is a roof terrace so more like five (storeys).”
Mr McLucas said the height of the building would also interrupt the view of those a few streets back and higher up the hill.
Friends of Currumbin president Peter Kershaw agreed the biggest concern was the building height.
But he said it was just part of the concerns.
“Buildings like this are going to affect the character of the area,” he said. “We already have had developments turned down for similar reasons. Common sense has to prevail.”
A Gold Coast City Council spokeswoman declined to comment specifically on the case while it was before the courts.
“All development proposals across the city are assessed and decided in line with specific City Plan assessment benchmarks, such as height and density,” she said.
Marquee Flora declined to comment.
Council and Marquee Flora are yet to lodge a response in court.
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Originally published as Currumbin residents have gone to court to appeal a development approved on Pacific Parade
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