Towers get green light
Biggera Waters and Burleigh projects approved
THE council’s planning committee has approved new tower developments at Biggera Waters and Burleigh despite objections from residents.
An application for a 14-level apartment block in Marine Pde, Biggera Waters, to replace ageing walk-up brick units was supported by councillors after a recommendation from officers for approval.
A report to the meeting on Thursday said there were 26 objections to the project.
But officers said they considered that the issues of concern for objectors had been addressed through the design which provides more carparking than required under the City Plan, a slip road to prevent queuing of traffic into the street and reduces the density and site cover.
They said the outcome was a “slender tower form that is well set back from the adjacent three-storey multiple dwelling”.
“Officers have therefore recommended the application to be approved, subject to conditions,” the report said.
Councillors later approved twin towers of 22 levels at the Burleigh beachfront.
The towers at 48-58 The Esplanade and First Ave will provide accommodation for permanent residents and tourists. Each of the proposed towers was intended to have a different use with the northern tower being identified as a multiple dwelling comprising 77 luxury apartments, officers said.
The southern tower would be a resort complex with the five-star hotel including 132 suites and supporting resort facilities. Council received 724 submissions – 347 were against the project and 377 supported it.
Those residents opposed were concerned about building height scale, the impact on residential density and the visual amenity.
The proposed development would utilise the 50 per cent uplift provisions under the current City Plan and exceeded the building height overlay map height of 53m, councillors were told.
The resort’s hotel facilities include a business centre, the hotel administration, day spa and kids’ club and gym.
The main building on the current site is the White Horse Holiday Apartments built in the 1950s.
“Although the original building has a local identity and has contributed to the community fabric of Burleigh Heads, it has not been formally registered in the Gold Coast Local Heritage Register and therefore is not subject to heritage protection,” officers said in their report.
The amalgamated site located north of the Burleigh Heads CBD was 4039sq m.
Officers said the high-rise spine in the area was characterised by a variety of built forms ranging from two-three storey walk-ups to 30-storey apartment towers.
Councillor Mark Hammel said many residents supported a new development but had hoped for a boutique hotel.
He said he was not opposed to development on the site but could not see how the duel tower project “fitted the place analysis” completed by council for future building types at Burleigh.
Area councillor Daphne McDonald agreed, saying residents were not against development but wanted it to be compatible with the area.
She said she was concerned about the bulk of the building on a site “on the fringe of a high-density zone”.
Cr Pauline Young, the former area councillor, said the project would provide accommodation for tourists who would not have to locate themselves in Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach.
“It is within walking distance of our local CBD there,” she said, referring to the economic benefits of the development.
Another factor supportive of the project was light rail heading south to Burleigh would provide transport support reducing any traffic issues, she said. A majority of councillors at the committee meeting voted in favour of the project.