Battle to stop Cooly highrise

A COOLANGATTA body corporate is taking on Gold Coast City Council and a developer to stop a 27-storey tower being built on Marine Pde.

The body corporate of nearby apartment block Lindor Apartments has lodged legal action against the approval of the Hotel Komune expansion. It says it is out of character for the area, too “bulky and visually intrusive” and would not attract tourists to the region.

Hotel Komune is currently a nine-level block but plans are for the building to be demolished and replaced with a 27storey luxury resort.

“The proposed development ... does not facilitate the enhancement of the tourism industry, including the protection of existing attractions,” Lindor Apartments alleges in court documents.

The proposed tower also did not take into account the “vis- ual prominence” of the area, it claims. “(The proposed development) does not contribute to an interesting streetscape, visual amenity and the perception of spaciousness,” the documents say.

Council approved the development in May to help establish the area as a major centre in south east Queensland. The tower will have 100 rooms and 94 apartments.

The proposal received more than 80 objections.

Hotel Komune Group coowner Tony Cannon said an appeal would delay the project for up to a year.

“We are hoping the appellants will take part in a mediation process we have offered,” Mr Cannon said.

Mr Cannon said the body corporate had objected on “technicalities” in the town plan.

A Gold Coast City Council spokesman said council had only just received the appeal documents and were reviewing the issues raised.