Paradise to stay a ‘village’: Caldwell

COUNCIL planning chair Cameron Caldwell has vowed the Broadwater village of Paradise Point will remain low-rise as some angry residents speculate about future seven-storey towers.

The highrise debate has sparked a war of words on the eve of tonight’s Bulletin You Decide election forum for divisions 4, 5 and 7 at the Nerang RSL. The poll debate can be watched live at goldcoastbulletin.com.au from 6pm.

Paradise Point Progress Association member Kevin O’Brien targeted Cr Caldwell about the City Plan.

He said three potential development blocks on The Esplanade were set to a height of 15m but, with a 50 per cent height discretion, the developer could build to seven storeys. Cr Caldwell was quick to reject the speculation and produced maps showing the 9m height limits.

“I am very proud that in my eight years in council we have protected the low-rise character of Paradise Point,” he said. “We have maintained a village atmosphere with a vibrant shopping precinct, beautiful parks and community events.

“Recent changes to the City Plan that I have led further strengthen protections of our low-rise neighbourhood by moving previous medium density into the new low-medium density zone, which means that there is no 50 per cent uplift available.

“The heights through the vast majority of Paradise Point are limited to 9m. We don’t have highrise in Paradise Point and, if re-elected as local councillor, I will continue to protect the lifestyle we enjoy in our local area.”

Mr O’Brien said residents had fought successfully against a potential 14m-high development at 116 The Esplanade.

“The residents believed this application was the thin end of the wedge for destruction of the unique character of Paradise Point. If this site on The Esplanade went to five storeys (15m) then all buildings on The Esplanade would shortly become five storeys,” he said.

“This was an expensive exercise for the local residents who were forced to raise over $20,000 to lodge an appeal. Finally, but only after court mediation, the developer gave up and the site was onsold to a Chinese consortium. It is now a vacant site full of weeds. No one won.”

The Paradise

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Progress

Association has accepted residents’ requests to establish a kiosk at the Broadwater Parklands on Saturday at 4pm to discuss impacts of the City Plan, he added.

Division 4 candidate Councillor Kristyn Boulton said she backed Paradise Point residents to protect the village atmosphere.

“Seeing various versions of the City Plan, with a lot of relaxation surrounding density, height and site cover, and a lack of sufficient parking being introduced, is causing much angst,” she said.

“If elected, my promise is I’ll work very hard to ensure that these relaxations are wound back and we move towards more sustainable development and no further changes be made that would affect existing residents in a detrimental way.”