Amaroo could be on the move

THE effects of severe flooding are still being felt as the instability of Tenthill Creek has the Amaroo Retirement Village rethinking its future.

ON THE MOVE: Flood damage along Tenthill Creek coupled with a problematic bat colony has the Amaroo Retirement Village looking for a new home.

THE effects of severe flooding earlier this year are still being felt as the instability of Tenthill Creek has the Gatton Amaroo Retirement Village rethinking its future at its current location.

Churches of Christ Care, which operates the Amaroo Village, raised the issue at a council meeting last month highlighting that with some housing backing onto the creek, the instability of the bank was a serious concern.

Another issue plaguing the village and adding to plans for relocation is a bat colony established among the trees along the Tenthill Creek which has caused a number of problems to residents, including the smell and noise.

Director of Churches of Christ Care David Swain said residents were safe but future flood events could aggravate erosion and costs revealed moving as a more financially sound decision.

"The main reason Churches of Christ is looking to move is because of the instability of Tenthilll Creek following the flood in early 2011," Mr Swain said.

"We believe the damage caused by the flying foxes has not helped with the erosion of the creek.

"The flying foxes have been an ongoing issue that has impacted our residents over the past three years.

"The Amaroo site is not viable in the long term for these reasons.

"In the short term, our residents are safe but the erosion damage and the cost of remediation means we have to look at long term options.

"Churches of Christ Care have no plans for moving.

"However, we know that any move will be a part of our medium to long term planning.

"In the short term we will mitigate any damage from erosion but if there are further flood events, we may need to initiate evacuation."

Lockyer Valley mayor Steve Jones supported Churches of Christ Care's views surrounding a relocation of the Amaroo site and said council had been working closely with the group looking at possible relocation to a number of sites.

"We are hoping to come to some arrangement by looking at all the blocks council own," Cr Jones said.

"We support their decision.

"If we did get another flood it would erode everything away.

"I'm very concerned about the creek and the bats as well, we would rather relocate the bats than see them move but the banks the main problem."

Cr Jones highlighted with an aging population in the region having aged care facilities available for the future was crucial.

"There are a lot of older people on the farms around the Valley and the demand for retirement living will be high in the future," Cr Jones said.

Originally published as Amaroo could be on the move