Public submissions reopen for Esplanade development
Fraser Coast residents now have another opportunity to have their say on a development application for a hotel and residential apartment complex at 408 – 412 The Esplanade in Torquay.
Fraser Coast Regional Council Acting CEO Gerard Carlyon said the public notification process had restarted this week after there was a technical error from the applicant in the initial process.
“The applicant has chosen to reopen the public notification process from 8 January 2024 until 31 January 2024,” he said.
“There have already been about 1500 public submissions about this development application and there is no need for anyone who has already made a submission to make another one.
“The reopening of the public notification process does, however, provide an opportunity for anyone who missed the chance to have their say in the first round last year, or those who were advised their submissions were not properly made, to make a submission by 31 January 2024.”
Mr Carlyon said this development application was one of about 300 currently being assessed by Council.
“Under the Planning Act, the development application process is driven by the applicant. Council’s role is to assess and respond to whatever applications are made,” he said.
“The development applications Council receives cover everything from a carport through to proposals like this for a high-rise hotel and apartment complex. Many applications are dealt with at the officer level, but applications that could have a significant community impact go before Council for a formal decision.
“This particular application includes hundreds of pages of documents and studies, along with 1500 public submissions so far, so a formal report and recommendation from Council officers isn’t likely to come before a Council meeting for a decision for several months.”
Mr Carlyon said Councillors were required to take an unbiased approach to assessing reports presented to Council meetings and Councillors were yet to officially see any of the formal documents, studies and public submissions.
“Under the Local Government Act, if a Councillor was to express an opinion now either for or against the application, it may mean they would then have a conflict of interest and may be unable to vote when the formal report comes before Council in the next three to six months,” he said.
ore information about the application is available at pdonline.frasercoast.qld.gov.au by entering the application number MCU23/0090. Submissions can be made by emailing development@frasercoast.qld.gov.au or by post to Council at PO Box 1943, Hervey Bay, QLD, 4655.