‘No choice’ but to go to committee on build
LONGTIME Coolangatta residents are furious a controversial residential development is set to be approved just days before Christmas.
The Dixon Street townhouse project has received 13 objections but will not go before the council’s planning committee.
Instead it will be considered by a “special delegation committee” made up of Mayor Tom Tate, Deputy Mayor Donna Gates, planning boss Cr Cameron Caldwell and chief executive Dale Dickson.
Locals, including Brad Kilduff, say their objections should be given greater hearing.
“It is too big for the site it is proposed for and would dominate the area,” he said.
Mr Kilduff said the project did not comply with the City Plan.
However, the area councillor says the city had no choice but to make an 11th hour decision before Christmas.
Cr Gail O’Neill said the assessment period for the project would expire on Friday and, without a council meeting until late January, a lack of decision would be considered an automatic refusal and open the council up to a legal battle in the Planning and Environment Court.
“I asked for it to go to committee and wanted it done that way but we are out of time,” she said.
“I have my locals’ views known.”