Residents split over value of proposed changes to suburb

MERMAID Beach residents are divided over development plans seeking to bring high-rise buildings to the “quiet” up-market suburb.

With Aniko Group unveiling plans for a $1 billion, four-tower mega project, locals have argued that relaxing property building caps could ruin the suburban lifestyle that Mermaid Beach is renowned for.

While others the Bulletin spoke to said the development was long overdue for the area.

“I’ve been living here for two years now and what I love is the quiet suburb, but with the construction, you can’t get any peace,” Macarena

Balbis, 26, said.

Ms Balbis (right), who is originally from Argentina said the promise of a

“quiet” and “community-focused” lifestyle is what drew her to settle in Mermaid Beach. But since moving into the area, she’s seen an increase in property development across the suburb, including a construction site operating next door to her house.

“The noise is terrible, but even local cafes are finding it hard to deal with the construction – not many people can go out and walk or relax,” Ms Balbis said.

According to her, the development of high-rise buildings in the area was also unnecessary.

“The suburb is perfect as it is, what I enjoy is the nature, being able to see the beach and this area is already convenient – I really don’t want high rise buildings because then it ruins the beautiful nature – it’s so sad,” she said.

It’s a sentiment that Sabela Ulloa, 23, also shares.

After moving into the area three months ago, Ms

Ulloa (right) said what she enjoys is the “calm” lifestyle that Mermaid Beach provides. She said easy access to the beach and low population density also made it a perfect place to raise a family.

“The good part about Miami Beach is that it’s not like Surfer’s Paradise – here it’s more family houses, you can wake up and go for a walk by the beach and go to cafes,” she said.

For years, Gold Coast City Council capped property development in Mermaid Beach to maintain the lowrise style of the area. But the push to relax the limits has upset residents, including Lauren Randall (right).

“No one’s going to be happy about relaxing the building caps because Mermaid Beach is so sought after for it’s suburban feel rather than being like Surfers (Paradise) – it’s nice that it’s a little less populated through here,” Ms Randall, 35 said.

But according to residents like Simon Murfet (right), 26, watching the community change was a non-issue compared to the potential benefit of developing hotels and homes to address the city’s housing crisis.

“For me, I’d like to see the area stay the same but development will create more homes so it’s good – it might make it more expensive to live here but I think we kind of need (the development),” he said.

And after living in the area for over 30 years, Noel

Stewart (right), 73, said the spate of construction and upcoming development was a welcome sign for a suburb he believes should be a “thriving” hot spot of tourism and hospitality.

“I’ve seen this area change a lot for the better, so it’s fantastic if the high risers are coming here,” he said.

“I’m for progress, obviously with limits, but at the end of the day I’m happy to see Mermaid get a little bit better – make it more exciting, give it more restaurants and good entertainment.”