Read our earlier story for background
At last week’s council meeting, planners raised concerns about a main drain running through the proposed development site. The drain is one of the largest in the area and connects to major stormwater outflows into the bay near Shakespeare Grove.
Under new state planning rules, the decision was due to be made by the minister.
But council officers said that even if the minister issued a planning permit, a building permit would still be refused and construction over the drain would be banned.
The drainage issue must be resolved before any building work can begin, likely forcing the developer to move the drain at significant extra cost.
Meanwhile, council unanimously approved a detailed list of proposed changes to be submitted to the minister. Councillors Crawford and Halliday said they had no objection to the hotel’s height, saying they supported higher-density development in activity areas.
