LEFT HIGH AND DRY
Beach residents livid over seven-storey approval
A DANGEROUS new precedent may have been set over controversial plans to build two seven-storey towers on the Cairns northern beaches.
Cairns regional councillors faced a difficult decision — whether to reject an entirely legal project because it was unpopular with locals.
In the end the council approved the project on Wednesday with six councillors for, three against and one absent.
Deputy Mayor Terry James said the council had no legal grounds to reject the project, which was in keeping with an approved five-storey development at Taylor Point further up the hill.
However, the proposal (left) and the fact that it did not require public consultation has raised the ire of residents.
They flooded councillors with emails the night before the council meeting when they realised a decision was imminent.
Now the council is left with a decision on whether to amend its planning scheme.
A DANGEROUS new precedent may have been set over controversial plans to build two seven-storey towers on the Cairns northern beaches.
Cairns regional councillors faced a difficult decision — whether to reject an entirely legal project because it was unpopular with locals.
Developer Ben Johnston designed a $24 million development at the corner of Moore and Mararna streets with a line of luxury two-storey duplex townhouses and a single stand-alone house, and two seven-storey apartment towers 30m back from the road.
Deputy Mayor Terry James said the council had no legal grounds to reject the project, which was in keeping with an approved five-storey development at Taylor Point positioned higher up the hill.
“This approval will not set a precedent for other sites as each site must be considered in context of surrounding developments,” he said.
Planning and environment general manager Kelly Reaston agreed refusal would likely lead to an expensive appeal, which the council would lose.
However, division 9 Councillor Brett Olds urged councillors to vote in line with a community expectation that beach developments would not exceed 15m or four storeys.
“We’re saying it’s not going to start a precedent, but the community don’t believe that,” he said.
“This will be the first sevenstorey building, I think, in division 9. Once the gates open the horse has bolted, you can’t close it again.”
Division 2 councillor Rob Pyne’s father, Tom Pyne, introduced the “no higher than a coconut tree” beach development rule in the 1990s.
“The neighbouring site of Taylor Point, I know it’s privately owned, but there are people in the community working hard to try get that land back into public ownership,” Cr Pyne said.
“Should they be successful, it would be a real shame to have this right next door.”
Division 5 councillor Amy Eden was the only Unity Team member to vote against the “ethical dilemma”. It was approved six votes to three.
Mr Johnston plans to build the duplexes and house for sale first before moving on to the towers, which will stay in his ownership to capitalise on the northern beaches’ 1 per cent rental vacancy rate.
“I live on the beaches, so I understand, but it will be a good outcome,” he said.
“We’ve got four different styles of housing so you don’t end up with a super-imposing four-storey building straight out on the street.”