By JONATHON HOWARD
JAPANESE development giant Sekisui House, has sought to highlight the economic benefits of coastal development as it moves forward with plans for buildings of up to 12 storeys along the Yaroomba coastline.
The move has shocked environmental conservation groups who are rallying support to block the development, claiming the impact to threatened sea turtles would be devastating.
Sekisui House will submit a development application next year to transform 20 hectares of prime beach front real estate into a luxury five-star hotel, retail space, residential and a public precinct.
While only in the early stages, the investment is tipped to reach $1.1 billion and provide a significant boost to coastal employment.
Sekisui House Australian senior development manager Evan Aldridge wrote to Noosa Today and said any development would be in line with Sekisui House’s founding principles of “community, sustainability, and harmony with the natural environment”.
“A hotel, retail and residential development would open up the site to the public, create jobs, and have a positive flow-on effect to local business in Coolum and the broader Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“We estimate that on the site, thousands of construction jobs, and more than 1000 permanent jobs would be created if this project goes ahead.”
Mr Aldridge said in order to be commercially viable, a five-star hotel may need to be up to 12 storeys in height.
The height bothers many conservationists as the building’s lights could disrupt sea turtles attempting to nest along the beach.
However, Mr Aldridge has countered concerns with the economic benefits, where studies have indicated the flow-on effect for local businesses could create up to 1500 additional jobs and $73 million tourism dollars every year, if a five-star hotel of that size were to go ahead.
“An increase in building height for some of the site would double the amount of public green space that is currently in the plan,” he said.
“Due to the setback of the site from the beachfront, a building of 12 storeys would have minimal visual impact and no shadow impact on the beach,” he said.
“It is important to note that this is still all in the investigation stage. We have previously met with stakeholders and we will continue to liaise with them throughout the planning process.”
Mr Aldridge said once the company had developed a firmer idea of what we would like to do on the site, it would need to go through the council’s planning and development assessment process.
“Which will include an opportunity for the public to comment on the development,” he said.
