How one small community fought back against developing giant
Respect for the Town Plan
Sekisui House, a billion-dollar developing company first proposed its plans to develop a five-star high-rise resort with housing, apartments, and a shopping village in the small suburb of Yaroomba back in 2014. But locals have been adamant to protect their low-rise community, resulting in a lengthy legal battle where both parties now await a final decision from the Supreme Court.
Jim Moore (pictured right) president of Friends of Yaroomba, a local organization that deals with social and environmental issues in the region, expressed that the pushback from the community has many facets to it but one of the most concerning issues is the disregard of their town plan.
“That town plan is going to dictate the built environment for years to come […] it’s important that we not keep it the way it is but that our thoughts are reflected in that town plan,” says Moore.
Put in place by the Sunshine Coast Council, the plan limits buildings to just two stories.
Sekisui revised their plans from the initial ten stories to seven however, locals say it doesn't suit the built and natural environment in the area.
“I’ve been a local here for 45 years […] people have brought up their families here, this is the place they love. There are certain things about it they love, it’s the beach, it’s the dune system, it’s the laidback lifestyle […] if you want to put high-rise and make it more of a city feel it effects that whole appeal” Moore expressed.
Lyn Saxton President of Development Watch, the local organization that has been fronting the legal battle against Sekisui expressed similar sentiments about Sekisui’s proposed plan.
“That resort could have been provided without overriding the town plan in relation to height and density. It could have been a low-rise eco-resort across the entire site […] we believe it wasn’t necessary to override the town plan,” Saxton explained.
Together both organisations have raised over half a million dollars towards their legal case. A testament to the passion locals have for this issue. Including protecting the vulnerable species of loggerhead turtles who return to Yaroomba each year to nest.
Turtle Conservation
Among many threats to the loggerhead population, light pollution is considered to be one of most concern. The Queensland Government department of environment and science outlined that, ‘light from coastal development results in changed light horizons, which causes increased mortality of hatchlings […] and there is also a decline in the recruitment of new adults to nesting populations on lit beaches’ Queensland Government (n.d.).
When approached to speak on this issue, Sekisui replied they are currently unable to comment as the case is still open before the court. However, did say ‘the Yaroomba Beach project will target an Advanced Ecotourism rating […] and also target sustainability targets of a 6 Green Star Star community rating,’ suggesting there is some hope for how environmentally friendly the resort will be.
Protest Through Art
Locals are pushing back and using art as their medium. Driving around Yaroomba signs paint the streets, representing a community standing together as one.
