TWO of the most controversial and largest developments proposed for Tamborine Mountain have been knocked back by Scenic Rim Regional Council in what has been seen as a huge win for the community.
Both the Kidd Street Living Gems over 50s retirement facility and MacDonnell Road retirement facility were opposed by councillors at today’s council meeting, despite council planners recommending their approval.
In a unanimous decision all councillors voted against the proposal to allow development of an over 50s lifestyle resort at 30 Kidd Street, which would encompass 141 detached single-story dwellings, a double-story clubhouse, lawn bowls green and pickleball and tennis courts.
The facility at 24-34 MacDonnell Road, which consisted of dwellings, was opposed four votes to three.
Councillors Amanda Hay, Stephen Moriarty and Kerri Cryer as well as Mayor Tom Sharp voted against it, while councillors Jennifer Sanders, Duncan McInnes and Marshall Chalk voted in favour.
Tamborine Mountain residents have vociferously fought the proposal from the beginning.
The strong community opposition was acknowledged by several councillors who agreed the 551 properly made submissions opposing the Kidd Street development should not be overlooked.
Cr Hay said MacDonnell Road facility received 125 properly made submissions opposing it, and none in favour, with over 90 per cent of all the submissions for both developments coming from residents on Tamborine Mountain.
Cr Cryer said she had had 70 emails opposing it, which she described as a campaign, which did not influence her decision.
Cr Sanders also noted she had had many people contact her.
In the meeting Cr Hay tabled a letter from the Tamborine Mountain Medical Practice (TMMP) expressing their strong opposition to both developments.
The letter said the Eagle Heights Medical Practice had lost one doctor and TMMP had lost two and if they remained unable to attract new doctors they would be forced to close their books.
Cr McInnes expressed his surprise at the medical situation on the mountain and questioned whether TMMP had been pressured to write the letter.
Talking specifically about the Living Gems proposal, Cr Moriarty said immediately alarm bells should start ringing because it is not compliant with planning scheme.
“Planners tried to get a square peg to fit into a round hole,” he stated.
“Reality is it doesn’t work.
“We are elected to stand up for the people and in my opinion 551 properly made submissions is a massive indication the vast majority of people are opposed to a development of this nature.”
The planners justified their decision to recommend both facilities using “broad planning discretion” largely due to the fact the sites were designated preferred locations for retirement living under the Scenic Rim Growth Management Strategy 2041.
However, in the meeting, Cr Hay pointed out the Growth Management Strategy had not been signed off by the State Government, and it would therefore be wrong to rely on it over the Planning Scheme, which is a statutory document.
She said both developments conflicted with communities and character in the planning scheme as well as the rural residential design codes, with the council report finding a retirement facility at these locations was classed as an “inconsistent” land use and conflicted with the zone’s low-density intent.
Cr Hay said the social impact assessment for the MacDonnell Road facility did not examine the potential impact on existing services and facilities and given that it had no sporting facilities or outdoor space it would put increased demand on local, council run facilities, including the swimming pool, which was already at capacity.
Mayor Sharp emphasized the Living Gems facility did not meet concerns around density and that traffic conditions had not been properly assessed and services were overstretched, adding that while there was a need for retirement and aged care products this does not address the product needed.
“I do not believe it is in any way compatible,” he said.
Former councillor Nigel Waistell, who has campaigned against the developments said commonsense had prevailed.
The development applications were inconsistent and inappropriate in their form,” he stated.
“There was no aged care facilities included, which is what the community requires, as well as units for the aged.”
Cr Hay said the facilities were not affordable living for older people and would act as a funnel for people, mostly new residents to the mountain, needing to move into the only nursing home on the mountain, Roslyn Lodge, which already had a waiting list.
