Councillor denies conflict of interest

A GOLD Coast councillor has denied a developer’s accusations he had a conflict of interest in opposing a controversial tower going up next to his wife’s place of employment.

Council will vote on Tuesday whether to give the green light for a 17-storey retirement village, known as Noble Life, at the edge of Lake Orr and overlooking Bond University’s Robina campus.

Developer Noble Ventures has accused Division 11 councillor Hermann Vorster in an email acquired by the Bulletin of refusing the project because his wife is employed by Bond University, who they say have spoken out against the tower.

The leaked email also accuses Cr Vorster of “developer bashing” and claims he refused to meet with Noble Ventures.

Cr Vorster has denied the accusations, and said: “My personal interest in the matter was fully disclosed in accordance with the law at the planning meeting.

“My colleagues at that planning meeting unanimously resolved that I had no conflict of interest and could participate.”

Cr Vorster said he had declined a meeting with developers as council had been in “caretaker mode” before the election at the time.

If approved, Noble Life will become one of the Coast’s largest retirement villages, built on a 6647sqm site with 121 units and 242 bedrooms. It will include 12 levels of residential units, three levels of parking with 107 spaces, and two floors of community open space on the upper level and roof.

There will be no nursing home facilities or medical staff.