Local action group Save Our Foreshore (SOF) will be facing over $150,000 in legal costs when they head to the Planning and Environment court hearing in March 2023.
The procedural hearing on November 9 allowed the team to inch forward in their goal of fighting against the Whitsunday Regional Council approved development plan which will see a 47.7 metre high-rise resort built on flat land at Port of Airlie.
SOF have been campaigning since 2006 to keep the “small village feel” of Airlie Beach and this latest battle has seen them accrue over 2000 signatures on a petition against high-rise development.
SOF President Suzette Pelt said the legal fight was a “long and daunting community process”.
“We’ve always been able to work through it, but never before has a Council so blatantly gone against the community, the town plan and their own policies by failing to properly acknowledge over 2000 submissions objecting to the proposal.”
Suzette says that in one case, the Planning and Environment court overturned a decision where the judge was found to have made an error in law with regard to the community’s expectations on building heights and she hopes they will do the same in this case.
“To maintain the famous character of Airlie Beach with its low-rise, village atmosphere, we will continue fundraising to meet the $150,000 target,” she said.
“In the New Year, keep a lookout for an online art auction where local artists are donating works to help fund the community versus a private receiver’s court appeal to fight for Airlie.”
Protestors say no to high-rises in Airlie Beach
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
