The minimum time residents have to put up with a “disgusting eyesore” paint job on an entire block of buildings at the top of Caloundra’s main street has been revealed.
The block on Bulcock St was painted in bright orange-pink late last year in bid to attract interest to their $250 million “world-class” hotel and apartments development proposed for the site.
Some residents objected to the flamboyant move but calmed down after hearing they would only have to tolerate it until August 2022, as demolition and construction of the project – Paloma Paloma – would go ahead then.
But with August well and truly gone, community concern has been growing over how long some residents must continue to put up with the “shabbily” painted blocks which makes Caloundra look like a “shanty-town” or “junk ville”.
Concerns were further voiced over delays to the block’s demolition and construction commencement, with rumours circulating that the developers had already gone over budget by $2.5m and DA issues had halted the project entirely.
Gayle Murphy spoke on behalf of the concerned residents, saying they believed the Council shouldn’t have ever let the paint job happen and that it should step-up and make the developers rectify it or fix it themselves.
“I went into the sales office to enquire and there is now no scheduled date for commencement,” Ms Murphy.
“So the bottom-line now is that it looks like it’s standing as an ugly long-term permanent blot on the shopping strip.
“Caloundra residents should not have to tolerate that ugly blot on our lovely town. What encouragement does it promote? A Shanty town?”
On December 18, 2020 a development application was approved for a multiple dwelling resort complex, comprising 125 units and short-term accommodation, comprising 104 Units, a shop, a health care services and bar and food and drink outlet.
But the DA is still pending council approval.
It has been revealed the “eyesore” paintjob will be staying until at least early January and possibly until into May next year, as a minor change in the DA is holding the project up.
A Sunshine Coast Council Spokesperson responded saying, “the timing for the demolition of any buildings on site and any subsequent re-development is a matter for the property owner.”
“Council is currently assessing a minor change application for this development approval, which at this time is due to be decided by January 6, 2023,” they said.
The spokesperson said the paint colour of the existing buildings onsite was not regulated by Council.
Ms Murphy called the council’s response “almost arrogant and dismissive” and implied the organisation taking “basically no accountability.”
She said council should have a commercial plan requirement protecting the look of the shopping precinct.
“They have spent millions (of rates money) on paving, adding expensive mature trees, conducting surveys and questionnaires on the future character and “beauty” of the street,” she said.
“Then they allow this … that’s unbelievable when you think of the money spent to enable a great looking street aimed at encouraging business.”
She called for the Council to somehow protect the Bulcock St shopping precinct going forward.
New marketing agents Place Projects Director Syd Walker said the company was at the point at looking at a major re-launch of Paloma Paloma, moving forward.
While Mr Walker admitted the re-launch was to “get pre-sales together for construction finance,” he dismissed any suggestion the company had gone over budget by $2.5million.
“Sales have been slow because of the whole marketplace, like all projects at the moment,” Mr Walker said.
He said the next step would be demolishing the buildings once the building approval had the green light, pending the DA approval.
“I wouldn’t expect anything before the second quarter of next year,” he said.
Mr Walker was sympathetic to the community’s “genuine” concerns, but said it was a little unrealistic for the council to be blamed for the colour.
“I don’t know about any business having to get council approval for painting,” he said.
“I’m not aware of the developers having any intention of re-painting ahead of the buildings being knocked down – which needs council approval.
But Ms Murphy said the company should have to wear the cost of repainting the block.
“It’s a multi, multi-million dollar development so a couple of thousand dollars to retain or recover a bit of integrity to the top end of Bulcock St isn’t much,” she said.
“The site since being painted so shabbily has already been hit with graffiti once and … it will most likely happen again.”
Mr Walker said Place Projects was hopeful the DA would go through.
“If it doesn’t go through it’s a problem for everyone because it’s 15 years overdue for that old post office site to be developed,” he said.
“We are proud of the project and were looking forward to it transforming the centre of Caloundra.
“Paloma will be the first project in Caloundra CBD for 12 to 15 years I believe. Anything that brings business to Caloundra is a good thing.”
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