Bid to win support for development
THE developers of a controversial eight-storey apartment block at Clifton Beach have hired a public relations specialist to work with residents opposed to the project.
J2J Pty Ltd director Udi David Stern has appointed Mel Wicks to meet residents and others about the project which includes 109 high-end apartments and a cafe on Arlington Esplanade.
She said the development application process for Elements on Arlington had reached the public notification stage.
Ms Wicks said Mr David Stern had a young family, was a long-term resident of the area and lived on the northern beaches. “As northern beaches residents themselves, the directors of J2J have an incentive to protect the best interests of their community,” she said.
“They’re here to stay in Cairns and they want to create a development they can be proud of.”
Ms Wicks said the community had three weeks to review and provide comment on the application and she was willing to meet people face-toface and possibly host a sausage sizzle on the site. Her mobile number is 0417 851 865.
“If approved, the complex will set a new standard of modern tropical living in Clifton Beach,” she said.
Ms Wicks said there was a lack of quality, contemporary apartments and waterfront cafes at Clifton Beach.
“There haven’t been any new apartments built in Clifton Beach, and the northern beaches in general, for many years and the current units along Arlington Esplanade don’t deliver the lifestyle options people are now demanding,” she said.
‘The developers are also demonstrating that the proposed height (eight storeys, anticipated to sit at 24.5m above ground level) is in keeping with the amenity of adjoining premises.”
Objectors are against the height of eight storeys. The area currently has a four-storey limit.
Linda St Quintin of nearby Clifton Sands Holiday Apartments said a meeting on January 22 at 7pm at the Clifton Beach Tennis Club with Cr Brett Olds would discuss an action plan.
“The meeting will be held to discuss a co-ordinated residents’ response to the planning application,” she said.