A picturesque Queensland coastal town popular among tourists and sea-changers may soon see its skyline transformed by six-storey developments.
Building heights have long been a cause for debate at the tourist hotspot of Bargara, near Bundaberg.
Some in the community welcome the opportunity for growth; others prefer to hang onto the small village atmosphere.
But Bundaberg Regional Council (BRC) has given the green light to buildings up to six storeys high in parts of Bargara, compared to five storeys across the rest of the region.
The proposal is now before Queensland's planning minister for a final tick of approval.
Retiree Ennette Docherty moved to Bargara a decade ago from the more densely developed Gold Coast.
"It's very quiet. We can hear the waves … that's why we chose here," she said.
"Yes, I believe in progress, and we need more people in Bargara to keep everything going, but not six storeys high, especially on a street so narrow.
"We don't even have a footpath along here."
Ms Docherty is worried about the planning scheme's impact on her property because she lives near land ripe for the picking by developers.
"I think that would devalue the price of properties here," she said.
"We wouldn't have the coastal breezes, and there would be a lot more people.
"The street isn't wide enough to take an awful lot more traffic than we've got."
Proposal passes council
A council vote on building heights passed seven to four at this week's general meeting.
It followed community consultation on the proposed changes in June, which resulted in 62 of 77 public submissions objecting.
Among concerns was the potential for negative impacts on endangered loggerhead turtles nesting along the coast.
BRC Development Group manager Michael Ellery said it was clear the objections were based on a "misunderstanding".
"[The amendment] removes ambiguity about the nominated building height and provides greater certainty to the community, developers and the council about the anticipated form of development in each zone across the entire Bundaberg region," he said.
Mr Ellery said the new scheme would work in conjunction with planning amendments made in 2020, which required development to minimise the impact of artificial lighting on turtle hatchlings that used the moonlight to guide themselves to the ocean.
Consultation 'flawed'
Councillor Greg Barnes said he voted against the new scheme because of community feedback.
"My role as a community representative is to listen to those people and to vote accordingly," he said.
Mr Barnes said he thought the community consultation process in June was "flawed".
"To primarily advertise it on council's own site and to just send letters to people who live in high-rise zones, I just don't think it went far enough," he said.
Mr Ellery assured residents that any development proposal that exceeded the height limits would be subject to an impact assessment.
"[The developer's] application would require public notification," he said.
"People would have the chance to have their say, and also have the ability to appeal any decision on the application that they're not happy with.
"Whilst the region is growing, the rate of development, particularly in that Bargara town centre, is fairly modest, and I think any changes we will see will happen gradually over time, which will allow council, the community and developers to respond to shifting demands."
A boost for business
Businesses along Bargara's scenic esplanade were enthusiastic about the potential for more rentals and tourist accommodation.
Bargara Golf Club general manager Ian Witt said the new planning scheme struck a balance between development and conservation of the coastal habitat.
"It's good. We need it for the growth of the town and business," he said.
"The people are already coming — we just need to give them the facilities to be here.
"It's still going to be a small town no matter what, but it needs some development to continue."
Store owner Peta Burrows said she was looking forward to the change because it would attract more customers to her beachfront business.
"Bargara is a beautiful place, and it needs to grow a little bit, so I'm excited," she said.
"We need more things for people to do, and if there's a bit more building, there's more opportunity for growth and for more people to come."
Urbanisation 'inevitable'
For lifetime local Sandra Dingle, who has watched the population boom in recent years, the urbanisation of the town was inevitable.
"It's changed dramatically … it used to be a little seaside village and now it's grown," she said.
"We just don't want it to get too big because we enjoy living here.
"We don't want it to be like the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast or even Hervey Bay — we want it to remain smaller."
Ms Dingle said she hoped the council would not be pressured to exceed the building height limit over time and would protect the sea turtle nesting sites in Bargara.
"I think council should have a better grasp on it and not let it get away from them," she said.
"It should be six storeys and no more."
