Palm Beach tower wins approval

A CONTROVERSIAL development at Palm Beach has been approved by the Gold Coast City Council planning committee despite the community’s outrage over the building going against the City Plan.

The council received 26 submissions against the project but that was not enough to sway the committee which voted unanimously in favour.

Helensvale councillor William Owen-Jones left the room for the vote declaring a perceived conflict of interest because he had received a donation from Sunland.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates remained in the room after declaring a perceived conflict of interest.

Palm Beach councillor Daphne McDonald said the community was concerned about the height of the two 12storey towers.

“The City Plan is 29m and this is 42m,” she said. “It’s quite a substantial amount higher than what is in the plan.”

Cr McDonald said residents had also raised concerned about traffic near the school and garbage collection.

She was unable to vote in the committee decision as voting is only open to committee members.

Planning committee chairman Cameron Caldwell said the development was within the City Plan.

The development will go to the full council next Tuesday for final approval.