An 18-storey residential development beside a main road has been approved despite significantly exceeding the current height limit.
Sunshine Coast Council has given the green light to the 180-unit Rivianne project at 132 and 134-136 Aerodrome Road, Maroochydore.
The development, by Habitat Development Group, is set to include one to four-bedroom apartments, car parking over multiple levels, rooftop communal space facilities and ground level retail tenancies. Construction is expected to start in 2027.
The building will be 63m high, almost 23m above the site’s current 40m height limit but only 3m above the 60m limit proposed under council’s new draft planning scheme.
The site is next to the Maroochydore City Centre Priority Development Area, where building height limits reach 60m in a neighbouring precinct and are higher elsewhere.
Council explained why the building was approved via a statement of reasons.
“While the increased height results in some additional visual prominence and incremental amenity impacts, these impacts are generally moderate and do not give rise to unacceptable adverse outcomes,” it said.
“The proposal delivers a high-quality, contemporary coastal urban built form that reinforces the role of the site at a key gateway location and supports the ongoing evolution of the City Centre Core precinct.
“The site’s position directly adjoining to a higher height precinct (60m) and within the Principal Regional Activity Centre, together with its relatively large land area and three road frontages, provides a sound planning basis for accommodating additional height,” it said.
The decision comes after a community consultation phase.
“Public submissions have raised a range of matters, particularly in relation to height, character, amenity and precedent,” council stated.
“These concerns are acknowledged and have been carefully considered in the assessment. However, it is also noted that a substantial majority of properly made submissions (144 out of 185) support the application, particularly in relation to the economic, housing and public realm benefits.
“On balance, the proposed development is considered to be in the public interest and warrants approval despite the identified non-compliance with building height provisions.”
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The site currently houses the Salvation Army and Neighbours Aid op shops.
A planning report, compiled by Adams and Sparkes for the developer, stated that the building was suitable for the location.
“(It) represents a considered and strategic response to both the state government and council’s forward planning objectives for the city centre locality.”
“The development supports compact urban form, housing supply and diversity, economic vitality and sustainable transport outcomes, while maintaining a high standard of residential amenity.”
The report stated that it would provide much-needed accommodation.
“The proposed development is ideally located and designed to help address the pressing need for housing on the Sunshine Coast, and particularly within the Maroochydore city core, being the urban heart of the region.”
“The provision of high rise residential towers comprising a mix of unit configurations, including smaller one-bed options, answers the shortage of entry level apartments and supports singles, couples, downsizers and families.
“The mixed unit configuration supports rental affordability by offering a range of price points, thereby helping to reduce rental stress on a broader demographic.”
Habitat Development Group founder and managing director Cleighton Clark said the approval was a milestone.
“Obviously we’re biased, but we feel it’s one of the best sites in the CBD by virtue of it being the most northerly with the most northerly aspect,” he said.
“It is also a prominent gateway site to the emerging CBD, and we have always believed this location deserves something architecturally special.
“Our design team deserves a lot of credit for creating a striking and timeless building. Our goal is to create a landmark building that the Sunshine Coast community can be proud of.”
Mr Clark said the council “deserves a lot of recognition for its vision in planning the future of Maroochydore and creating the foundations for what will become one of Australia’s most exciting new CBD precincts,” he said.
He also thanked the community.
“We’re very grateful for the support we received from the community during public consultation,” he said.
Rivianne will feature contemporary architecture incorporating extensive landscaping, generous balconies, a rooftop 25m infinity-edge swimming pool, wellness facilities, private dining and entertaining spaces and more.
Mr Clark said early enquiries from prospective purchasers were encouraging.
“We’ve already received very positive early interest from buyers looking to secure a quality apartment in the emerging CBD, which reinforces our confidence in both the project and the future of Maroochydore,” he said.
