Questions asked over $30k developer donation to LNP after controversial apartments approved

The development in Lambert Street at Kangaroo Point. Picture: Darren Cartwright

Tom Snowdon, The Courier-Mail

http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/questions-asked-over-30k-developer-donation-to-lnp-after-controversial-apartments-approved/news-story/ad43dbb3e5e4ef54bf77366434283d19

A DEVELOPER that had a contentious apartment block approved in Brisbane donated $30,000 to the Liberal-National Party during last year’s local election campaign.

Brisbane City Council’s development assessment officer’s approved Pointcorp’s 69-unit Kangaroo Point apartment complex in September, 2015, after earlier raising concerns about the size of the development on the 979sq m site.

Council pointed out issues that included inadequate setbacks from the street, small balconies and a lack of car parks for the 12-storey development. However, a council spokeswoman later told The Courier-Mail the developer had provided expert information to justify the reduced setbacks.

An artist's impression of the Pointcorp "Magnus" development at Kangaroo Point.

The “boutique style” development’s approval was followed by a $30,000 donation to the LNP on February 26, 2016, in the lead up to the March local government elections, according to the Electoral Commission of Queensland website. There were no other donations made to any political parties, according to the website.

The LNP went on to retain Brisbane’s local government, taking 19 of the city’s 26 wards, with LNP Lord Mayor Graham Quirk returning to power.

A council spokesman said: “Donations to political parties have no impact whatsoever on decisions made by council officers and any suggestion to the contrary are strongly rejected.”

Opposition Labor Leader Peter Cumming said he had forwarded the development approval to the State Ombudsman for review after a “detailed analysis by a building designer”.

“We are concerned that within six weeks of substantial breaches of the CityPlan 2014 being pointed out by council’s own development assessment officers, the project was waved through,” Cr Cumming said.

The LNP went on to retain Brisbane’s local government, taking 19 of the city’s 26 wards, with LNP Lord Mayor Graham Quirk returning to power. Picture: David Clark/AAP

“That was enough to convince us to ask the Ombudsman for a review.

“When you factor in the $30,000 donation by developers Pointcorp to the LNP during the council election campaign, we believe there are some serious questions that need to be answered.”

The development, assessed under the State Government’s performance-based Sustainable Planning Act, is one of seven Pointcorp developments around Brisbane.

Billed as “boutique style development”, an advertisement for the Magnus building reads: “With a confidence far deeper than its bricks and mortar, Magnus dominates not just the Kangaroo Point skyline but also the hearts and minds of those fortunate enough to behold it.”

Pointcorp has been contacted for comment.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said he was only made aware of the donation, which was legally made, after The Courier-Mail brought it to his attention this morning. (Tuesday)

“It was drawn to my attention following the media enquiry that Pointcorp were a donor but I don’t know the amount,” Cr Quirk said.