Major change in battle for marina

The long-running battle for Newport Marina has taken a significant turn, with development plans receiving a big boost.

Moreton Bay City Councillors have backed council officers recommendations to approve a ‘material change of use’ for more than 10,000sqm of marina land.

The area, re-zoned as industry in 2016, has now been switched back to marine industry, residential accommodation and associated uses.

It follows a development application for a hotel, bar, food and drink outlet, function facility, indoor sport and recreation, low impact industry, marine industry, office, port services, service industry, shop and short-term accommodation.

Newport Action Group led opposition to the proposal which saw 304 submissions made to council contesting the development. There were 38 in support.

Vote for change

After lengthy discussions, councillors voted 10-1 in favour of the material change of use, however that is not a green light for the development proposal.

Cr Jodie Shipway (Div 4) declared conflicts of interest and left for the discussion and vote. Sandra Ruck (Div 5) declared a conflict of interest and left for the vote.

Subsequent approvals are required for Council to authorise the start of any development on the marina site, which has a 15m building height limit.

During lengthy discussions, Cr Karl Winchester (Div 6) said: “I don’t think this site can remain a time capsule for ever. 

"The scheme we have at the moment is pretty inconsistent with the uses on there. There are a number of uses you wouldn’t want to see at this site."

Referring to a trip to two marine industry sites on the Gold Coast, Cr Hain (Div 3) said he’d “have nightmares if something like that turned up on my doorstep”.

Mayor Peter Flannery agreed, adding: “I would have grave concerns about having heavy marine industry on this site.”

Cr Brooke Savige (Div 1), who voted against the recommendation, was concerned about the access easement.

“I have seen very, very poor outcomes of this at Spinnaker Marina and the Spinnaker Blue complex. Decades on we are still dealing with them,” Cr Savige said.

The area at 156, 156A and 158 Griffith Road, Newport is currently an industrial site with a carpark, toilet facilities, marina office - and decreasing marine industry.

'Revitalise area'

In a statement, council said it sees an “opportunity to revitalise the area and sustainably regulate future development in the precinct”.

The update makes any onsite marine industry Code Accessible increasing opportunity for marine businesses but limiting large industrial development.

It also removes uses previously allowable such as animal husbandry, emergency services, major electricity infrastructure, motor sport facility, nightclub and warehouses.

This week's council meeting was told the land was earmarked for a marina in 1977 and in 1982 Redcliffe City Council approved rezoning to future high density. 

In 1998 consent was given for 64 townhouses before in 2005 it was zoned special marina and multiple dwellings. From 2005-2016 it was zoned for mixed residential and then marine industry.