A court has set aside Gold Coast council approval for a 14-storey apartment tower in Kirra, after neighbours appealed. Judge Nicole Kefford found the design added to the appearance of bulk and was overbearing on neighbouring properties. She also said the 317 bedrooms proposed for the site were far above the density set under the city's planning rules. The developer's original nine-storey approval for the site remains in place.
The Town of Mosman Park is considering a policy that would allow some minor developments to be built without development approval. The council will vote on the policy at its next meeting. Single houses and up to two grouped dwellings meeting residential design codes would be exempt, as would some temporary structures and secondary structures such as swimming pools. Town staff say the policy would increase the number of dwellings built each year, supporting the town's target of 1500 additional dwellings by 2050. Some respondents to community consultation were concerned about tree planting, amenity and biodiversity.
Firmus Technologies says one of its three planned AI data centres in Tasmania's north is not yet funded. The company abandoned its plan to list on the Australian stock exchange earlier this month but is continuing with its Tasmanian projects. Firmus general energy manager Paul Grzinic told a parliamentary committee that the Launceston and Wesley Vale stage one sites are fully funded. He said the other sites still need development approval, which he described as a key step towards securing funding.
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The Land and Environment Court has approved a McDonald's drive-thru restaurant at 37 Roseberry Street, Manly Vale, overturning a refusal by the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel. The decision came despite 740 submissions and a 4,000-signature petition opposing the development. Seven Miles Coffee, which has been on the site since the 1970s, says it holds a multi-year lease and has made no decisions to relocate. McDonald's says the restaurant will be operated by a local franchisee and create about 100 jobs once open.
A 91-apartment seven-storey complex in Jindalee has been approved despite objections from residents. The $60 million development will sit on the corner of Jindalee Boulevard and Maritime Drive. Residents argued it breaks an agreed structure plan limit of five storeys and raised concerns about traffic, parking and a lack of public space. The Metro Outer Development Assessment Panel unanimously approved the proposal. Councillor Jacqueline Huntley said refusal could not be justified under current provisions.
