Cobaki eyes new heights

BILLIONAIRE developer Bob Ell is trying to increase the size of buildings at his proposed $3 billion Cobaki Estate.

Leda Holdings has applied to the NSW Department of Planning to build residential buildings of eight and 10 storeys instead of the currently approved three storeys at the proposed 13,000-population town planned for just west of the Gold Coast Airport.

The request to go higher has frustrated Tweed Mayor Katie Milne as she claims the council’s planning controls are being circumnavigated by Leda.

“Cobaki development is proposing to go to 10 storeys now,” she said.

“That is not our planning control so after decades and decades creating a planning scheme, it is going to be just wiped out by the (NSW) State Government.”

The concept plan for Cobaki Estate has been approved by the NSW Department of Planning because it is classed as a major project.

Leda has applied to change the concept plan 11 times including removing a condition that cats are banned from the mini-city.

The modification to increase building heights went on public notification and finishes on December 7.

“Responses will be published on the department’s website,” a NSW Department of Planning spokesman said.

“The department will then undertake a detailed merit assessment of the proposal and carefully consider all issues raised by the community before making a recommendation.”

Leda Development regional manager Reg van Rij said the modification would not increase the population of Cobaki Estate.

“It simply seeks to extend the range of product to include medium highrise apartments,” he said.

“We are looking 10-15 years ahead and there is a growing segment of the market that no longer wants a freestanding home and prefers an apartment. The locations would offer apartments with easy access to the town centre by virtue of the transport infrastructure.

“It would be the same development footprint, same amount of yield of product and population.”

The modification applies to three of Cobaki’s 17 precincts.