Queensland’s Planning and Environment Court has backed Gold Coast Council’s refusal to allow Noble Life to build a 17-storey retirement village, complete with helipad, at Robina.
Judge David Kent upheld the council’s concerns over the proposal, as the site is a possible flood-risk.
The decision may be used is to set a precedent on future flood planning decisions as the site of Noble Life’s planned tower is only 6km from the Guragunbah flood plain.
Councillors only a week earlier stopped development on the flood plain, the biggest on the Coast protecting Carrara to Burleigh, by backing a temporary law. The decision by Judge Kent will strengthen the council’s position.
He said “the positive attributes which undoubtedly exist” from Noble Life’s development “do not outweigh the unacceptable level of risk”.
Planning chairman Cameron Caldwell said the Gold Coast needs more aged care facilities but in areas that are safe from the threat of flooding.
