Councillor outraged at approval of 12 storeys development
17 August, 2010
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The Lord Mayor and Councillor Cooper, the Chairperson for Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment ignored the current Brisbane City Plan and Minister Stirling Hinchliffe’s directive when they approved a development with 12 storey building heights in an area limited to 7 storeys with the Riverside South Precinct of the South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan, West End.
Early this year, an approval for 424 residential units with building heights ranging from 3 to 8 storeys was obtained for 321 Montague Road, West End after ‘without prejudice’ negotiations with objectors.
Even before the court decision was finalised, a second application was submitted in February 2010 for 495 residential units with building heights being 5, 6, 7 and two buildings of twelve storeys.
Today the second application for this site was approved in spite of strong opposition from the local community to this level of density and building height and in spite of the directive of the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning.
“I am disappointed and amazed at the blatant disregard of the City Plan” said Cr Abrahams.
“It is an astounding decision.’
“The justification for the increased density on this site was flawed” said Helen Abrahams.
“Councillors were told that as only 20% of the new proposal was above 9 storeys it justified the increased density. This argument is irrelevant and a furphy”.
“This is a new approach to development approval. It has become - first obtain an application and then, before that application has been finalised, submit another application with 50% in building heights because it will be approve it.”
“I believe this decision is a declaration of war with the State Government from the Lord Mayor” said Cr Abrahams.
“Local residents will be the people most affected by this situation. Certainly their wishes are being ignored.”
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