“Parking concerns” over development plan

Plans for a new childcare centre and hotel beside a waterfront shopping centre in Moreton Bay have been refused.

The development application sought to change a previous permit from “club” to “hotel” for a 1.46 hectare block beside Newport Marketplace.

However, Moreton Bay City Councillors voted against it citing “car parking concerns” along Lakeview Promenade and the surrounding area.

Councillors were told the change was due to the applicant being unable to get a tenant which met the club “definition”. Hence, the application for a “hotel” or small tavern.

Officers said a traffic assessment was done and acoustic issues were looked at extensively for a club. Officers said the difference between a club and hotel are “narrow’.

All 52 public submissions opposed the childcare centre, but the recommendation before Councillors was for the application to be approved.

Cr Sandra Ruck (Div 5) felt the childcare - while not supported in submissions - met requirements for land in a new generation neighbourhood centre.

“The hotel component is a different matter,” Cr Ruck said, adding it is “not a supported land use within this precinct under the planning scheme. 

“I believe there are valid planning grounds to oppose this aspect of the application.

“I share concerns about existing congestion in the Newport area and the potential impact of additional development traffic.

“While the childcare centre is compliant with the planning scheme but lacks community support, the hotel is neither supported by the planning scheme or submissions received by the community.”

Cr Ruck said the area has no bus services and is “busy” during morning and afternoon drop offs, with customers at restaurants and children’s parties in a nearby park.

Mayor Peter Flannery shared concerns over the hotel saying: “I feel they are trying to cram too many facilities in this one location.

“Parking is an issue now. Child care centre … I’ve got some tendencies to support that but five car parking spaces doesn’t really cut it for parents and staff. 

“I think it is an overcapitalisation of this facility that has existing parking issues.”

Cr Brook Savige said the planning scheme “clearly articulates” a difference between club and hotel and “there is a very clear reason for that”. 

“Hotel being a more concentrated specific use and club being something more of a community space,” she said.

Cr Savige also had “concerns around the parking, concerns over construction … with no where for anyone to park already”.

The development application was refused on parking grounds by 9-4.

Stage one of Newport Marketplace opened in 2022 and includes a supermarket, medical centre, pharmacy, gym, restaurants and food outlets.