Submission to Council re Development

Proposed extension to existing Royal Mail Hotel
118 Poinciana Avenue Tewantin,
Application MCU23/0090

This document is our submission on this proposal.  We reside at Unit 8, The Inlet, 14-18 Blakesley Street Tewantin.  Our home is across Blakesley Street from the proposed development.

Background
We are not opposed to the proposed development.  It is likely that the expanded and upgraded hotel facilities in this very scenic site will be highly attractive to the public and uplift the whole region.  There are however significant potential impacts of the proposal that must be addressed and managed if it is to coexist successfully with the immediate area’s existing uses and social environment.

The overarching issue is that the redevelopment not only expands the range and the physical area of the hotel’s activities, but it also directs their intensified impacts away from the non-residential zones of Poinciana Avenue and Diyan Street towards the intensely residential zone of Blakesley Street.  These impacts need to be considered against the existing residential and recreational values of this zone.  We set out our concerns and suggestions in detail below.

Traffic management
We leave and return to our home by car or bicycle on Blakesley Street and we cross this street on foot to access most commercial and medical services.  We are concerned that the only vehicle access points to the proposed development are in Blakesley Street.  This will result in increased traffic on Blakesley Street which is already a busy secondary thoroughfare.  It will also add to the existing conflict between Woolworths’ customer traffic, Woolworths’ supply vehicle traffic, through traffic, Blakesley St residents’ traffic, pedestrian and cycle traffic.
Blakesley Street is particularly important for cycle traffic.  It is heavily used by adult and child cyclists and at least four of Council’s designated Scenic Cycle Routes pass along the street.
Traffic issues could be decreased by:
relocating the hotel vehicle access points to Diyan Street;
traffic calming in Blakesley Street;
lowering the speed limit in Blakesley St to 20 kmph.
Making the signs more visible .
Parking
The proposal will have major effects on parking in Blakesley Street.  Some of our fellow Blakesley Street residents are obliged to use the street for parking for themselves and their visitors.  The developer’s documentation indicates that a considerable number of spaces currently on the hotel site will be lost in the redesigned site use.  Hotel clients will increase the pressure on Blakesley Street parking.
Some of the current parking issues are as follows:
long stay parking is common;
when using Woolworths and other outlets, caravan, boat and campervan owners park preferentially in Blakesley St for long periods;
irresponsible parking behaviour – including impinging on residential access driveways;

Possible solutions for these problems include:
requiring basement parking on the redeveloped hotel site;
time limited parking in Blakesley Street for certain hours;
no parking zones around residential driveways (yellow lines)

Noise
There will be significant noise from the proposed beer garden when amplified music is playing.
While we understand that a final determination about music and patron noise will be made by the Office of Liquor and Gaming, it is important to record our view that amplified outdoor music is going to represent a significant change to the soundscape of our domestic environment and will require careful management.  There should be a time limit of 10pm on amplified music.
General nuisance issues
Vehicle headlights will have a significant impact on the privacy of residences in Blakesley Street. Relocating the hotel vehicle access points to Diyan Street would eliminate this problem.  The applicant should be required to develop a solution for this problem.
Antisocial and noisy patron behaviour at closing times is an issue around all licenced premises.  The developers should be required to demonstrate how they will limit these impacts on the residential areas of Blakesley Street.
Heritage values
The site’s association with the settlement of the region, early contact between colonialists and First Nations people and its association with Cobb and Co should be acknowledged and celebrated with an onsite display.  It is a significant location in Tewantin’s history.
The current Liquorland outlet is of a very low architectural standard that is made worse by its garish colour.  It devalues this important corner site.  Following its demolition, the developers should be required to ensure whatever is built on its current site fits in with the environment colour palette.
The development on the prime site grass area in front of the current Liquorland is a serious issue about which where there has been no information or clarity to date. It is vital that all local residents are kept abreast of any proposed development of this site before any action is taken.

Jeremy and Jacqueline Martin
Unit 8 The Inlet
16 Blakesley Street
Tewantin 4565