Golden Beach development angers residents
Tue 11 November 2008
Kara Sonter, Journalism
The project may be called Vision, but locals prefer to describe a half-finished block of apartments at Golden Beach as an eyesore.
Residents have been left with scaffolding surrounding the far from finished Vision apartment building on Landsborough Parade after construction was stopped six months ago.
The apartments are the project of Platinum United, an international development company.
The 12-storey building is set to hold 40 two to three bedroom apartments, starting at $A750,000.
One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said they were sick of looking at the eyesore and hoped something would be done with the building soon.
They also said the building has shaded their house, leaving less sunlight in winter, killing their grass and forcing them to turn on lights during the day.
A resident of Golden Beach for 20 years, the neighbour said development of the area has destroyed locals’ way of life.
“This used to be a seaside place for workers and now it has been transformed into a holiday destination,” the neighbour said.
Details of the apartments have been kept tightly under wraps, and it seems residents in the area do not know who or what is behind the halt to construction.
Golden Beach Progress Association president Mick Graham said communication between the public and agencies dealing with development including council should be improved.
“We are losing the art of communication,” Mr Graham said.
Mr Graham said the building is an imposition on the area, and that the way of life in Golden Beach should be preserved as much as possible.
He also said the association has written to council, enquiring about the status of the Vision development.
“We are certainly going to pursue it and find out what’s going on,” Mr Graham said.
It is believed the development has been in the works since 2003, although funding for the project has diminished as financers have gone into liquidation.
Platinum United director Ahn Ha said the company was taking the funders to court over the matter, but the building could be finished by June 2009 if refinancing could be found.
Although the building progress has slowed, advertising for apartments has not, with real estate agency Century 21 conducting inspections of two finished apartments by appointment.
Century 21 agent Lachlan Bate said the real estate agency had no comment on the progress of the Vision apartment building, except that it would be completed.
“It will definitely be finished,” Mr Bate said.
Desley Mason, a Golden Beach resident of 20 years, believes the newest edition to Golden Beach is out of place and in need of immediate attention.
“You do need progress but it’s gotten to its limit,” Ms Mason said.
“This is a beautiful area and you don’t want it spoilt by high rises.”
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