VANESSA HALL
LISTED as one of the last beachfront masterplanned residential development sites remaining in Southeast Queensland, the 18ha parcel of land at the centre of a long-running legal case over its approved development application has been sold.
With the news of the sale community groups and the appellants at the centre of the court case were quick to state that the ‘Save Yaroomba’ campaign was over.
Development Watch (DW) President Lynette Saxton stated that the need to fight legally was not needed anymore and that the new owner had a good reputation.
“With the sale by Sekisui House of the 18.5ha Yaroomba landholding to the Dennis Family Corporation (DFC), who has a long reputation for building quality homes, DW has withdrawn from the impending court hearing against Sekisui House that was set down for November.”
“It has been an epic eight-year battle that was launched originally to protect the local town plan for the Yaroomba area against high-rise buildings which were well outside the community’s expectations for the site, resulting in thousands of written objections.”
Michael Shadforth from Ray White Commercial who facilitated the sale stated that the site was an easy sale with so many seeing the potential.
“It’s gone to a family business who have been developing for a long time and they are really passionate about the project and putting their own touch on the block of land.”
Grant Dennis from the DFC did not list what their intentions were as yet only stating that they settled on September 28.
“Yaroomba Beach presents an exciting opportunity to grow our portfolio in the region.”
The DFC did not respond to questions as to how much the acquisition cost the company.
Friends of Yaroomba President Jim Moore stated that they hoped the new owner would do what is right with the site.
“We hope the new landowner will recognise the strength of our community’s resolve and design a development that complements these special natural attributes and even enhances them. Surely that is what new residents buying into the development would want anyway.”
The community advocacy group were instrumental in fundraising for the legal battle.
“By banding together our community managed to raise $600,000 for legal expenses and made life so difficult for the global property development company that they finally pulled out and sold the precious beachside land.”
THE NEW OWNERS
The DFC whose head office is located in Melbourne describes their family-owned business as having a “reputation for quality and excellence in the property industry, built on 60 years of experience and expertise.”
The DFC has primarily built master-planned residential communities.
Lynette Saxton said that the new ownership allowed for a more positive outlook for the large development site.
“The DFC, unlike Sekisui, speaks of “building communities” and from a perusal of the Dennis Family Corporation’s prior and current developments, they do not construct high-rise five-star hotels with serviced apartments which was the first stage of Sekisui’s development.”
“DW has already reached out to the DFC and looks forward to working with them in the best interests of the wonderful Yaroomba community.
“A favourable outcome could result in much-needed housing and job opportunities for the Sunshine Coast.”
COUNCIL RESPONDS
Original approval for the contentious development was approved by Sunshine Coast Council and as respondents in the legal case (along with Sekisui) their spokesperson stated that the approval issued by the Planning and Environment Court (P&EC) now takes effect.
“The development conditions, which were agreed between the parties during the initial P&EC appeal process, along with the Infrastructure Agreement that was executed on 29 June 2018, will regulate development over the site.”
Council stated that the current approval established a framework to work within.
“In this context, the current development approval establishes a regulatory framework that effectively overrides aspects of the current planning scheme.
“However, the current planning scheme continues to apply to the subject land and would be a relevant consideration in the assessment of any new development proposal that may be made over the sites.”
Ms Saxton was quick to state that with the cessation of further legal proceedings this would benefit ratepayers.
“In considering our position, DW was also mindful of the amount of ratepayers money that Council had spent supporting Sekisui House in the court cases”.
“We pledge to continue to keep our attention focused on any Development Applications for our area that are clearly outside what our community expects under its Town Plan.
“In the meantime, for the Yaroomba site, we look forward to a much better relationship between the community and the new owner.”