By JONATHON HOWARD
SEKISUI House has rejected claims its community consultations were “farcical” and it remains un-phased by the passion of more than 500 protestors at Tickle Park against its proposed $1 billion Yaroomba development.
The protest took place on Saturday, 22 November, after extensive household flyer drops and online campaigning to fight the proposed development.
Sekisui House is applying pressure on the Sunshine Coast Council to amend recently changed town plans which limit certain heights on new buildings.
The developer wants to construct about 17 buildings in total 15 of which exceed the height restrictions.
While the council has deferred its decision until next year, campaigners called for residents to join the Coolum rally and voice their opposition to the amendments.
The rally attracted people from all walks of life and age groups.
Flyers listed the mobile phone numbers of all 11 Sunshine Coast councillors and their phones were bombarded with text messages demanding they reject the amendments.
Many came with signs rejecting Sekisui House and slamming the Sunshine Coast Council including specific messages directed at Mayor Mark Jamieson.
Sekisui’s senior development manager Evan Aldridge told media sources that protest rallies were “not unexpected”.
He also rejected claims the community consultations had been a farce and said there had been a lot of support during recent consultations.
“People are very passionate in the region and that’s a good thing,” he said.
“This was the first stage in the process and we look forward to representing the master plan based on some of the feedback that we’ve got back and seeing what adjustments we can make to the plan and it’s an ongoing process.”
Cr Jamieson reiterated that any proposed amendment to the planning scheme would not equate to a set-in-stone decision.
“Any planning scheme amendment, if it were to be proposed by council, would need to go through a number of processes before an amendment is actually made,” he said.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you support the Sekisui House proposed development model? Send your letters or comments to newsdesk@noosatoday.net.au
