This is the question a local couple are asking following news that the land in front of their house is currently being re-zoned to accommodate 550 storage sheds.
Robin Weaver and his wife came to the Whitsundays two and a half years ago, moving into the property they had bought in 2018 with the knowledge that the adjacent 3.8-acre vacant lot was zoned for low-medium residential development.
When this site, located at 82 Shute Harbour Road, sold for a million dollars three years ago, Robin believed that eventually a developer would put residential houses on-site.
That was until he saw a sign go up stating there had been an application to ‘Reconfigure the Lot’ with a ‘Material Change of Use’ development application submitted to Council detailing plans for a storage shed complex.
“We are all very aware of the acute shortage of residential accommodation in Airlie Beach and Cannonvale,” he said.
“A 3.8 acre, almost flat block of land on the main road, offers the opportunity for the lowest cost development of such land, for whatever purpose, including that for which it is currently zoned - residential accommodation!
“This is prime residential land and should not be wasted for such an unnecessary, unsightly, unpleasant and unwelcome project.”
The storage shed complex will extend 175 metres along Shute Harbour Road and will be brightly coloured, it will also have a tall boundary chain-link fence and bright security lights.
Mr Weaver believes this is an inappropriate use of the site and that it will impact on the liveability if the area.
With two industrial estates located in Cannonvale, he asserts that there are other viable options that would be more in keeping with the surrounding zoning.
Appealing for other residents to take action against this development, Mr Weaver has taken the time to examine the development application set before Council and analyse, what he believes, are inaccuracies.
He is now posting his findings to surrounding neighbours hoping to gather further support.
Local resident Robin Weaver does not want to see 550 storage sheds take up prime residential land in Cannonvale
