RSL war: Gold Coast residents take planning battle to court in fight against art union units

A development war between Gold Coast residents and the RSL about a beachfront unit block will now be fought out in the planning court.

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A DEVELOPMENT war between Gold Coast residents and the RSL about an art union beachfront unit block will now be fought out in the planning court.

The Bulletin in a report late last year revealed how the RSL has lodged a development application with the council for two four-storey, medium-rise apartment buildings on an old housing block at Golden Four Drive.

Planned RSL units at Bilinga on the Gold Coast.

A submission to the council from planners employed by a Bilinga body corporate committee said the proposal was an overdevelopment of the site, inconsistent with outcomes for building height, and the carparking and landscaping did not meet City Plan requirements.

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A notice of appeal filed in the Planning and Environment Court in Brisbane confirms the council on January 27 approved the development.

Six residents have employed Brisbane lawyers TelcoTech Legal and this month filed a notice of appeal which listed council and the RSL as respondents.

How the site looks at the moment.

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Residents have listed six reasons which they say show the development does not fit with the strategic framework of the City Plan allowing the building height to be increased by 50 per cent.

Residents in the appeal said the proposed building “does not reinforce a local identity and sense of place” and its height would have a “significant negative impact on the amenity of nearby residents” by way of loss of privacy, views and shadows.

They argued the building’s height and the predominant building height of the surrounding properties will not make the “skyline ordered nor interesting”.

Residents in their appeal said the building’s bulk meant it would “not set an excellent standard of appearance of built form and street edge”.

The units also failed to provide housing choice or affordability “because the apartments will be raffled or used for other fundraising purposes”.

Site for planned RSL units at Bilinga on the Gold Coast.

Both the ground floor and rooftop failed to comply with acceptable setbacks, residents claimed.

Lawyers from MinterEllison Gold Coast will represent the RSL but are yet to respond in full to the claims.

RSL Queensland general manager lotteries Tracey Bishop, when the development application was assessed, said the concerns of residents would be carefully considered during public consultation.

“We have been working closely with the Gold Coast City Council’s planning department at every stage of the planning process and have already made several changes to the original plans to address their concerns,” Ms Bishop told the Bulletin late last year..

Shot of site for RSL units planned for Bilinga on the Gold Coast.

“We have delivered a plan that comprises fewer apartments and more carparking than council requires for the block. We will continue to be guided by council to ensure the development is consistent with the local zoning plan.”

The RSL maintains its Our Golden Treasure prizes not only offered luxury beachside residences for winners but helped change the lives of veterans with each ticket sold.

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Originally published as RSL war: Gold Coast residents take planning battle to court in fight against art union units