Green light for new apartments

Above: An artist's impression of the planned development. Picture courtesy of Mark Williams Architects.

Plans for a new nine-storey, 65-apartment development in the heart of Redcliffe have been approved - despite concerns from some councillors.

Moreton Bay City Councillors backed the proposal (5 votes to 3) on a 2168sqm block at 77 Sutton St, on the corner with Dix St.

There will be 39 two-bed apartments, 25 three-bed apartments and one four-bed apartment, according to a summary before Council.

It says there were originally 67 apartments, but lowering the height in one corner reduced it by two and allowed a second communal area.

There will be 152 car parking spaces (135 residential, 17 visitor) on the ground and basement levels – above Council’s planning scheme which required 106.

However, the building height - which is more than the guideline of 21 metres to meet the area's terracing effect – was an issue.

Councillors were told, with the lift over run, it was around 28.6m in a couple of places in the centre of the roof.

Cr Karl Winchester (Div 6) said he held “genuine and strong concerns around this development”.

“Not so much in the height itself, but it does fly in the face of what the Planning Scheme intended with terracing of the height through there,” he said.

“My ultimate concern is the setbacks. The assessment finds the bulk of the building does not encroach within the setbacks of the neighbouring property at 75 (Sutton St).

“Though the bulk of the building sits within the setbacks that fact a portion does encroach within the setbacks, to me, is not acceptable.

“We have setbacks for a reason particularly as we head down a path of high density in places like the Redcliffe Peninsula.

“If we are going to support high density development it’s the interface between them that becomes critically important.”

Cr Sandra Ruck (Div 5) added: “I also have concerns with the setbacks and building height.

“We set a precedence that even though the town plan is a guide only, we allow the lift (over) run often.

“I just worry that developers are taking a step further and step further … how much leeway are we giving developers?”

Cr Jim Moloney (Div 8) said he would like to see Council “being a bit harder” on the enforcing of building heights.