Surfers will be a ‘concrete jungle’
Objections to Triguboff tower plan
SURFERS Paradise residents are mounting a fight against a proposed 73-storey supertower proposed by ‘highrise’ Harry Triguboff.
The beachfront Ocean tower’s development application was lodged with the Gold Coast City Council just three weeks ago but already an objection has been lodged against it.
And more are expected with the body corporates of neighbouring towers planning to protest against the project, which they fear will turn the beachfront into a “concrete jungle”.
Among those concerned is Carolyn Podesta, who lives in one of the highrises neighbouring the supertower.
She said traffic and a lack of setbacks from footpaths would damage the residential amenity of the area as well as cause increased congestion.
“This is not a selfish concern about affecting property prices but it is about what will happen to the Esplanade if every building is like this and has no softening or greenery – we are just going to have a concrete jungle,” she said.
“The council has spent millions on improving our beachfront and then they will allow this to happen and I think that is wrong for the whole Gold Coast.
“I don’t think we are being unreasonable.”
The body corporates of several neighbouring buildings including Imperial Surf are understood to be lobbying councillors to consider their concerns ahead of the application being assessed.
The development application for the Ocean was filed just before Christmas by Mr Triguboff, now 84.
It will have 722 apartments, including 319 which will be operated by Meritor as serviced units.
Once completed it would be the fourth-tallest building on the Gold Coast behind the under-construction Spirit, Q1 and Soul.
City planning boss Cr Cameron Caldwell said concerns from nearby residents would be taken into account as part the development application process.
“This application has only just been received by council and will be the subject of a thorough assessment from officers,” he said.
“We are always mindful of community concerns when considering applications such as these.”
Ocean is planned for a 3833 sqm site on the Espalande which Meriton group bought for $58 million last year. The tower which formerly stood on the site has since been demolished.
Ocean will have three levels of basement and the tower will sit on a five-level podium, with the top level housing a recreation area with a pool, spa, fitness courtyard and barbecue area. A residents’ indoor pool will be included on level 32.
It is expected to go before the council’s planning committee later this year.