A group of dedicated community members who fight for the protection of Airlie Beach’s small town, low-rise, village atmosphere is heading to court today in order to challenge the Whitsunday Regional Council decision to approve a 46.7 metre high-rise building at Port of Airlie.
Similar height buildings already exist in Airlie Beach but they hug the hillside and are therefore less dominant than the striking structure that will sit on flat public parkland at Port of Airlie.
Community group Save Our Foreshore (SOF) have been at the forefront of challenging such developments for many years and have successfully fought developers on two occasions.
They have now raised a staggering $22,000 to pay for a barrister and legal costs in taking the matter to the courts today.
In addition, they have a petition which holds over 2000 signatures from residents who do not wish to see the development go ahead.
SOF President Suzette Pelt said that with developers reconfiguring the site into 10 lots, she is concerned that the recent approval of a high-rise will pave the way for a “Mini Manhattan” separating adjacent Airlie apartments, homes and shops from the Beach.
“Foreshore high-rises just don’t belong in Airlie Beach,” she said.
“Losing public parkland to make it happen is just not on either - what happened to the original Queensland Government approval of a maximum of three to five storeys in an integrated resort development over the whole site?”
“Traditionally town plans support maintaining the character of a place, and for Airlie Beach that is its low-rise, village atmosphere brand.”
Ms Pelt said a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the cause.
“We’ve reached this critical point thanks to the amazing financial support of the Whitsunday community, businesses and visitors who were shocked and disgusted with council’s decision,” she said.
“We believe we have a very strong case. Based on the opinion of our expert witness and barrister who will argue not just on planning issues, but on social and community grounds as well.”
Save Our Foreshore have been protesting about the Port of Airlie high-rises for some time, but today they head to court
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