Plans unveiled for $900k Pacific Acres Estate expansion at Innes Park

Council signs off on Pacific Acres Stage 8 despite almost $900k in infrastructure charges, paving the way for 35 new rural residential lots on the coastline.

RMA Engineers, Innes Park concept design.

A coastal rural residential subdivision known as Stage 8 of Pacific Acres Estate has been approved by Bundaberg Regional Council, with a Development Permit issued earlier this month.

The project, proposed by Brijay Holdings Pty Ltd ATF BR and J Garson Trust, will see the next stage of development at Watchbell Street and Back Windermere Road, Innes Park, on Lot 505.

Initially designed to create 38 lots across the 10.76ha, the subdivision was later revised to 33 rural residential lots and two stormwater drainage reserves, bringing the total number of new lots to 35.
The lot sizes will range from 2010sq m to 3123sq m, with the estate expected to be fully operational by 2027.
The site is located within the Rural Residential Zone under the council planning scheme 2015, which prescribes a minimum lot size of 2000sq m.
Approval was issued on July 8, 2025, subject to conditions, with council noting the lot sizes, configuration and connections to existing infrastructure were appropriate for the intended rural residential use.

RMA Engineers, Innes Park subject site.

The application was supported by a number of technical assessments, including a Traffic Impact Statement prepared by RMA Engineers.
The statement estimated the subdivision would generate 32 vehicle movements during peak hours and 342 vehicle trips per day, based on the original 38-lot proposal.
Primary access to the new lots will be from Back Windermere Road, about 650m south of the Back Windermere Road and Innes Park Road roundabout.
A secondary access will be provided through an extension of Watchbell Street.
The Back Windermere Road and Watchbell Street intersection will operate as a priority-controlled intersection.
Traffic analysis found this arrangement would function within acceptable service standards for both the 2027 opening year and a 2037 10-year design horizon.
Safety reviews identified no significant crash history and confirmed that sight distances meet Austroads guidelines.

RMA Engineers, Back Windermere Rd intersection.

Stormwater management was addressed through a plan prepared by RMA Engineers, which confirmed council’s preference for drainage reserves rather than drainage infrastructure located within private lots.
The plan concluded the development would not increase flood risks or create an actionable nuisance for surrounding properties, and best practice measures would be implemented to minimise impacts on stormwater quality and hydrology.

While the site contains a small area mapped as bushfire hazard, this was considered a minor risk due to physical separation by Back Windermere Road and the planned clearing of adjoining residential land.
Flood hazards were addressed through the stormwater management plan, which identified flood-free building areas on all proposed lots.
A small area of steep land will be included in the drainage reserves, with earthworks planned to improve the gradient.
Acoustic impacts from Back Windermere Road were also considered, with noise attenuation measures to be incorporated into dwellings on specific lots to ensure future amenity is maintained without the need for noise barriers.

Council issued an Infrastructure Charges Notice to Brijay Holdings Pty Ltd, with a total adopted infrastructure charge of $909,550.
After applying a credit of $27,562.12, the net charge payable is $881,987.84.
This amount is to be paid prior to final plan approval and is subject to adjustment based on the Producer Price Index if payment is delayed beyond 12 months.