Council has rejected a plan for a controversial residential development at the Cleveland Railway Station despite having given it preliminary approval in 2017.
Cr Peter Mitchell took the issue to council after a big negative response from nearby residents.
The multi-million dollar transit-oriented building will provide a mix of residential and retail for residents and commuters including a slightly improved car park, 124 residential units, a gymnasium, a business centre and a cafe.
The development has been in the pipeline for five years and residents have objected vehemently, with council officers and councillors in the firing line.
Residents said the development had inadequate parking, privacy at the Villa Edgewater complex would be compromised and construction under a eucalyptus tree at the train station would either kill the tree or require it to be removed.
The project - which is meant to help rejuvenate the Cleveland CBD - has been backed by the state government, although project details are up to the council, the land is owned by Queensland Rail.
The development application was granted preliminary approval at a council meeting in January 2017, providing the developer adjusted plans to save a eucalyptus tree at the front of the station and provide sufficient parking for units.
The amended plans came back to council on Wednesday when Cr Mitchell asked councillors to refuse the application as he said the developer had failed to meet conditions from 2017.
Mayor Karen Williams, Cr Rowanne McKenzie and Cr Mark Edwards voted against his move.
Cr Edwards said officers had assessed the changes and the amended plans ticked the boxes.
He said refusing it would waste ratepayers money as it would be approved, and the state would override council's decision.
Cr Williams said the development would help with the much-needed Cleveland CBD revitalisation.
"It has already been approved and we will spend hundreds of dollars in the planning and environmental court, where we will be ridiculed and shamed as the developers have already met the preliminary requirements," she said.
She said the vote demonstrated the extent of popular politics in council.
Cr Williams said she voted to not waste ratepayers money and for something that would benefit the city.
Angela Kelly
Redland City Bulletin senior journalist covering politics, community issues and human interest stories. South African living the dream in Australia.
Redland City Bulletin senior journalist covering politics, community issues and human interest stories. South African living the dream in Australia.
