Anger over more units at complex

A DEVELOPER’S plan to raise the number of units in a suburban apartment complex has provoked the ire of residents, who fear its location close to a busy intersection will lead to a “traffic nightmare”.

Lifestyle Haven Pty Ltd has asked the council for an extension to construct a sevenbuilding unit complex at the corner of Lindfield Rd and Discovery Dr in Helensvale. The approval expires in August. The developer wants another four years.

It also has applied for permission to increase the number of units from 96 to 105, citing changes in “market demands”.

The number of twobedroom apartments in the development would be reduced to make way for more onebedroom units.

Consultants for the developer said that despite the increase in the number of units, “the development footprint remains near identical to the original approval, including the same siting, building height and site cover”.

Division 2 councillor William Owen-jones asked local residents for their feedback on the proposals.

Mr Owen-jones pointed out that the City Plan had changed in the time since the development was originally approved, which predates his becoming a councillor.

“Very broadly, the current City Plan does not permit the heights and densities previously approved,” he said.

While a number of people expressed support for the development given the lack of housing on the Gold Coast, many were concerned about parking and traffic.

“It should not be approved,” one local said. “It’s too big and will create a lot of traffic issues to an already busy road.”

Residents were particularly concerned that the only vehicular access to the development would be located close to traffic lights on Discovery Dr.

The junction is adjacent to the busy Helensvale Plaza shopping complex, where an application to build a unit tower on the site of a Red Rooster restaurant was approved with minor conditions in November last year.

“The area is mostly gridlocked as it is now in the peak periods,” one resident said.