Council would like to assure residents that it has done everything reasonably possible to protect koala trees on private property at 223-231 Wellington Street, Ormiston and will create a publicly owned koala corridor along the foreshore of the block.
The property owner is subdividing the vacant land and plans to clear large koala trees that, if left on the block, the developer believes are a safety risk or will be affected by construction.
Zoning of this land to allow the subdivision is not new – the area has been zoned for residential development for the past eight years – and Council had no planning grounds to reject the development application.
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The development application is consistent with the State Government’s Sustainable Planning Act, which Council is obliged to adhere to. If Council did not approve the application, the matter would likely go to the courts resulting in costly legal action funded by Redland ratepayers, and a likely decision that supports the subdivision.
While the trees may be removed, the 4900 square metres of land that fronts the water as part of this block, will be transferred to the community and revegetated. This will create a more effective koala corridor, which is protected by its new status as public land.
Koala trees as well as other flora will be planted in the foreshore area. A foreshore bike path will also be constructed to complete a missing link in our cycleway network around the city.
Council is committed to a green city, while meeting our obligations for community safety and a growing population.
For more information, contact Council on 3829 8999 or visit the details through Council’s PD Online website tool.
The following points are intended to help further clarify information surrounding this approval:
- Council decisions are bound by the State Government’s Sustainable Planning Act. This application is consistent with the Act and as such Council was obliged to approve it.
- Refusing the application may have resulted in legal action, which would have been costly to defend. A cost paid by ratepayers.
- This land has been suitable for residential development for more than 8 years, so the development is in line with the existing use of the land and the surrounding area.
- Now that the application has been approved Council has no legal rights to change the approval.
- An amendment to Council’s planning scheme was not made in response to this application. An amendment was made separate to this application that had no bearing on the removal of any vegetation and it is unlikely it would have had any bearing on the outcome of the application.
- Existing private land will be transferred to Council, providing 4,900 square metres of public use land for the community.
- This public use land will be revegetated, completing and enhancing an existing environmental corridor, increasing wildlife habitat.
- Recreational infrastructure including bike paths will also be constructed as part of the project.
- Some properties included in the development will be nearly 1,000 square metres, maintaining the area’s amenity and character.
- As the city grows, more land will be needed to provide housing and other community infrastructure. Building in already developed areas such as this is called ‘in-fill’ development and reduces the need for urban sprawl, protecting currently undeveloped areas.
While planning approvals can sometimes be complex, all planning approvals are granted in line with the relevant legislation and State Government Acts.
