Meeting Date: 3 April, 2025

Subject: Proposed Development at 776 Pacific Parade, Currumbin

Attended by: 48 Interested parties (list attached); Counsellor Gail O’Neill; plus council representatives Adam Brown / Scott

As advised at the meeting, there is little point in recording detailed minutes of
individuals points or concerns. It is far better to capture the themes and outcomes of
the meeting.

Council’s Observations

• Council representatives quite rightly pointed out that they are in the middle of a process on this development and their ability to comment is limited.
  
• They advised that this proposal has been recently received, and they must process this and advise of a decision by Thursday 10 April, 2025. They made it clear they are in the early stages of their assessment.
  
• The outcome would be that it is either Code Assessable; or Impact Assessable. They outlined the differences, but advised that if it is code assessable, then there are limited appeal rights by the community, whereas an Impact Assessment will be a more rigorous process. With a Code Assessment, the Council will not respond to submissions (albeit they will be retain the submission
  
• They identified that in undertaking the assessment, the Council has very limited flexibility or degrees of freedom to take views. The code is very strict and proposals either pass or don’t pass. Councils take information from the Proponents and must assume the information is true. They have no ability to question a survey report, a geotechnical report of any other material provided in support of a submission.

Council briefly described that the definition of “storey” is key in their assessment, and advised some of the factors that mean a floor does not count as a storey. Council have not made up their minds at this stage on this matter.

Meeting Feedback

The meeting included participants with broad areas of expertise, including planning,
architecture, legal, engineering, finance and other. The core topics included:

Technical interpretation of Planning Guidelines – in particular, height levels
and storeys

• Commentary that the Nokia Building was a mistake that governments put in place regulations to ensure this didn’t happen again
  
• The 776 development is a gross exploitation of the rules and the proponent has used this to create a building the same height as the Nokia Building
  
• The retail site allocation is now only 20 sq meters. This is ridiculously small and will not foster any community interaction along Pacific Parade.  If this becomes the new standard, then Currumbin will lose any retail / commercial activity along its beach front, and it will only have multi residential – and the associated problems with parking
  
• Peter Janssen advised that he has a Kings Counsel opinion advising that the 776 development is over the limit and therefore must be Impact Assessable.
  
• This opinion has been submitted to Council and also available on the savecurrumbin.com website

High Risk Area

• It is acknowledged that the amalgamated site (776 and rear of 778) is in a high-risk area as noted by Council
  
• Currumbin Hill is well known for its instability, as noted by many of the attendees (with many outlining real and recent examples)
  
• These examples occurred where Code Assessable approvals were given, which contained geotechnical opinions, which ultimately proved to be wrong, resulting in very substantial cost overruns to proponents and direct costs to neighbours
  
• Most attendees are very concerned about removal of vegetation, removal of massive soil and rock retention required for the development, and ultimate long-term destabilisation of the hill. Attendees also highlighted the continuing change of our climate and the reduction in resilience of Currumbin Hill, rather than strengthening resilience.
  
• There is a view by some of the attendees that if “you throw enough money” at the problem “engineering can fit anything”. Others dispute this observation – there are many natural disasters that wipe out even the most expensive man-made structures.

Green Spaces/Natural Environment

• Many attendees discussed the importance of the natural environment and the maintenance of green spaces
  
• This is what makes Currumbin special for all of us, but the meeting heard from several people who provided heartfelt pleas to protect this special part of Currumbin

Public Safety

• It was noted that the Elephant Rock site has not been managed properly or safety since its acquisition by the developer
  
• Prior to being demolished, it was left to rot with no maintenance
  
• Its demolition was undertaken in a highly unprofessional matter
  • The meeting discussed the public pathway being used as an access point for the demolition. There was no safety fencing or other provisions for pedestrians
  • Rusty nails, glass and other debris was always left on the pathway
  • Asbestos removal was not undertaken property with dust and other particles blowing up the pathways towards Woodgee Street
    
• The site is now surrounded with inappropriate fencing. This has not been properly secured over time and has blown over several times, most recently during TC Alfred
  
• The site has not been properly maintained, is overgrown and attracts pests and vermin.
  
• Council advised the meeting that the demolition was not undertaken with the appropriate authorisations and is still under investigation
  
• Council advised that it also believes the fencing and maintenance is inappropriate and is following up with correspondence to the developer

Council Leadership

• An attendee advised that this is the time for strong government leadership. Retention of green space, limiting over development and being focused on community resilience is critically important. The Council and State Government will be judged in the future on material decisions like this. This is the time to be strong.

Meeting Outcomes

Peter Janssen asked attendees to follow the savecurrumbin.com website and follow
through with objections.

Meeting went for 1 hour 15 minutes

Attendees

• Robert Dunlop
• Jamie Cox
• Shiike Vanderwerff
• Peter & Ann Janssen
• Laraine Kelly
• Dick Cahill
• Geoff Andrews
• Bob & Loris Hancock
• Simon Knobel
• Ben Macfarlane
• Leisa Sinclair
• Lesley Bryant
• Peter Kershaw
• Anne Hepworth
• Troy Brown
• Philip Follent
• Goodman
• Peter Moore
• Michelle Sheard
• Hartmann/East
• Ricondo de Minonla
• Peter Smith
• Marcus Truscott
• Chris Murray
• Geoff Kemben
• Truscott
• Mara Bun
• Patrick Dixon
• Lois Levy
• Kelli Lowe
• Sally Pitkin
• Michael Sillivan