Former Australian fast bowler Craig McDermott is behind an application for an NDIS unit project on the Sunshine Coast.
It is the latest proposal for 38 Verney Street, Kings Beach, which is the subject of lapsed approval for 16 units.
In February last year, Mr McDermott’s company 28 Veneer applied for a material change of use and operational works permit to build four townhouse-style four-bedroom units on the block.
The application was withdrawn three months later after the council sought further information on how elements of the units would conform to town planning requirements.
Mr McDermott has reverted to a 16-unit vision for the site as per the previous approval granted to Golf View, which was owned by Russell and Yolanta Woodgate.
Mr McDermott’s company CA9 Margate has applied for a material change of use to build a residential care facility.
Application documents show the complex would comprise 14 two-bedroom units and two one-bedroom onsite overnight assistance units for people requiring high levels of physical support.
A town planning report submitted with the application by Murray and Associates, on behalf of CA9 Margate, describes the complex as “NDIS housing”.
It says the proposal would “provide a positive contribution to the local area’s high-density residential character and greatly assist with much-needed NDIS housing for the community”.
The building would be constructed over five levels, including the basement or undercroft for parking and the ground level.
There would be four units per level, with all units except the overnight assistance units having terraces. The three upper levels would each have a common hall area.
It is proposed the building would have 14 resident and two visitor car parking spaces, plus bicycle storage.
At 16.2m high, the building would be 4.8m below the maximum allowable height for the site, which the town planning report says “reduces the overall bulk and scale of the building whilst providing a good urban design outcome and utilisation of high-density residential-zoned land”.
The application seeks minor setback relaxations at the rear and side of the property but says these would not have an impact on the amenity or privacy of neighbouring residences.
The report acknowledges the development would cover 54.6 per cent of the 809sqm site, exceeding the 40 per cent target for high-density development, “but not at the expense of a poor urban design outcome or the local area’s character and amenity”.
It says landscaping, including a 2m landscaped screen, would comprise 13.75 per cent of the site.
“Overall, the proposed development presents well to the street by providing articulation, visual interest/street appeal whilst reducing the visual bulk of the building,” it states.
Sunshine Coast News attempted to contact Mr McDermott for comment.
The building is not the first foray into development for the 59-year-old, who was dubbed Billy the Kid when he made his Test debut in the mid-1980s at 19.
He was previously director of Maxen Deveopments, which was involved in developments at Bargara, Hervey Bay and Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast before it collapsed, owing millions, in the mid-late 2000s.
