AgentA hits out at tower complaint

A BATTLE is brewing over plans to build a 10-storey apartment building in a quiet Gold Coast cul-de-sac, with fears the area will not “cope”.

But the property’s selling agent has hit back at residents’ concerns, saying those living near the beach should expect to have a “high-rise next door”.

The site at 8 Sunshine Court, Labrador, was given development approval five years ago after Gold Coast City Council’s refusal was overturned in the Planning and Environment Court.

The property will go to auction on November 12 with the current approval for a 25-unit building with 37 carparking spaces.

Sunshine Court resident Cindy Moceiwai feared the planned high-rise would lead to further development on an adjacent block.

“Our court is so small, we can’t even have a garbage collection in here,” Ms Moceiwai said.

“Our road doesn’t even accommodate the traffic now. Imagine if there’s hundreds more cars here?

“The area cannot cope with it.”

Ms Moceiwai said she had the backing of other residents in the court and nearby streets.

The property’s selling agent, Edin Kara from Ray White, said the development application was approved because the plans satisfied parking requirements.

“You can’t expect to live 50m from the beach and not have a high-rise next door,” he said.

“We should be building high-rises as close as possible to the water – people want to live close to the beach.

“Should we build high-rise buildings in Upper Coomera and low-rise housing near the beach?

“We have to look at the bigger picture, which is the whole Gold Coast.”

Area Councillor Ryan Bayldon-lumsden said the council no longer had a say in the matter because it was a court-ordered approval.