Branyan residents oppose 142-unit accommodation complex

A Brisbane developer’s application for a short-term accommodation precinct has met with opposition from local residents and businesses.

Branyan residents are concerned that a large short-term accommodation precinct proposed for the area will significantly increase the density of the quiet rural suburb without providing meaningful solutions to the housing crisis.

Branyan residents are concerned that a proposed large, short-term accommodation precinct will significantly increase the density of the quiet rural suburb without providing meaningful solutions to the housing crisis.

A development application lodged with Bundaberg Regional Council by Brisbane developer Digital Infratech proposed a precinct of 142 short-term accommodation units at 41-53 Childers Rd, Branyan.

If the application gets the green, the empty lot on the corner of Childers Rd and Paradise Lane will be transformed through the construction of 142 one- and two-bedroom units over six stages.

If the application is given the green light by Bundaberg council, the empty lot will be transformed through the construction of 142 one- and two-bedroom units over six stages.

According to the proposal the development will include a communal recreation area, and space for storage of caravans and trailers “to accommodate the nature of anticipated residents”.

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The application positions the development as meeting the needs both of tourism in the area and the shortage of rental accommodation.
“Bundaberg has a number of unique housing challenges which will be significantly aided by the provision of additional short term accommodation,” the application said.

“Bundaberg suffers from a comparatively high homelessness rate as a result of pressures on the local housing market … The proposal will also assist the ongoing popularity of tourism in the region.”

Digital Infratech engaged a community engagement company to obtain feedback on the proposed development from 70 residents and businesses neighbouring the site via an online survey in July 2023.

Of the 7 survey responses received, more than 50 per cent answered “no” to the question “do you support the delivery of sustainable housing in Bundaberg that addresses the shortage of short-term rental accommodation”.

Of the 7 survey responses received, more than 50 per cent answered “no” to the question “do you support the delivery of sustainable housing in Bundaberg that addresses the shortage of short-term rental accommodation”.

Comments provided in the survey responses said there was a greater need for affordable long-term housing, and the proposal of 142 cabins on the site was “ridiculous”.

“This is a commercial development being promoted as sustainable housing,” one comment said.

“A small-scale tourist park might be supportable but 150 cabins (sic) on such a small site is ridiculous.”

The development will include a communal recreation area, and space for storage of caravans and trailers.

Digital Infratech addressed the feedback within the application by saying “providing more land supply to deliver long term housing supply in Bundaberg will not solve the current housing market challenges”.

“What is required, is the immediate supply of higher quality shorter term residential accommodation to help alleviate the current challenges in the Bundaberg community while longer term solutions are put in place.”

One resident and business owner, who declined to give their name, said they had considered selling their property and moving away from the area due to concerns the development would effectively be a high-density caravan park.

The application positions the development as meeting the needs of tourism in the area and the shortage of rental accommodation.

“My husband and I talked about selling up because of (the development proposal),” she said.

“We’d want to move away from somewhere like a caravan park, … because it’s only around the corner.”

The woman, who received information about the development through the community engagement phase but did not respond to the survey, said she had seen a significant increase in homeless people living in the area in the past 18 months, which has brought concerns around declining public safety.

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“I don’t mind tourists, because they’re not going to come around at night and maybe rob you,” she said.

Digital Infratech has been contacted for comment.

Bundaberg Regional Council declined to comment, saying:

“Council staff will make no comments during the assessment phase of development applications.”