Redland City Council has welcomed a decision by the Court of Appeal supporting their 2015 decision to refuse the King of Gifts’ development application for a service station and fast-food drive-thru restaurant at Alexandra Hills.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council had opposed the application for the last six years, arguing it was in conflict with the planning scheme.

“This decision is a win for residents and for Council who has represented the community over many years in opposing this project because of its potential environmental and traffic impacts,” Cr Williams said.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams, left, and Cr Rowanne McKenzie outside the land in question at 604-612 Redland Bay Rd, Alexandra Hills.

“This has been a long battle, which began with our original decision to refuse the application in 2015, arguing it had the potential to impact important environmental, open space and bushland areas near the site at 604-612 Redland Bay Road.”

“Over the last five years our original decision has been overturned twice by the Planning and Environment Court, but we never gave up fighting for the community and successfully appealed those decisions.”

Councillor for Division 7 Rowanne McKenzie said last week’s decision ended years of uncertainty for local residents.

“When I’m out speaking with local residents they regularly raise this application with me and so Council was determined to represent them in opposing it,” Cr McKenzie said.

“This latest court ruling is a win for the community and results in the applicant’s appeal to the Planning and environment Court being dismissed, ending years of uncertainty for local residents.

“As part of the Court ruling King of Gifts (Qld) Pty Ltd and HTC Consulting Pty Ltd have been ordered to pay Council’s appeal costs.”