New subdivision proposed for Rainbow Beach

Creation of a new neighbourhood close to Rainbow Shores and on the outskirts of Rainbow Beach is being considered by the Gympie council after developers lodged a 500-page application.

The location of the development proposal site at Rainbow Beach, Queensland.

A new housing estate could be created near Rainbow Shores on the outskirts of Rainbow Beach if Gympie Regional Council approved a development application lodged by Precinct Urban Planning on behalf of private Australian company Tahmer Pty Ltd.

The company has sought approval to subdivide a 1.6ha block on Wyvern Road at Rainbow Beach and build 25 homes and an apartment.

The proposal is for Lot 1 (SP168733) which is 15,540m sq at 7 Wyvern Road, and Lot 2 (SP168733) which is 7260m sq at 9 Wyvern Road, on a total of 1.59ha.

The application notes that a shed and walking trail that “meanders partially onto the site” are at 7 Wyvern Rd, and a multi-storey structure exists at 9 Wyvern Road.

Lot 1 and Lot 2 of the subdivision proposal at Rainbow Beach, Queensland.

A total of 24 housing blocks ranging in size from 532-829m sq would be created on Lot 1, with an average size of 559.62m sq.

The application states it seeks to stimulate residential development to bolster the population of the Rainbow Beach area and help ease the housing crisis.

“Low vacancy rates, increasing property prices, and higher rates of homelessness are obvious symptoms of the increased pressure on the housing market across the state,” the application states.

The proposed 24 detached private residential lots with Lot 102 intended for an apartment in Rainbow Beach, Queensland.

The subject site is also mapped as containing flood hazard area, bushfire prone area, and erosion prone area.

Queensland's State Planning Policy map indicates the site contains areas of medium and high potential bushfire intensity and potential impact buffer “due to unmanaged vegetation present in the surrounding area’, and ‘under adverse conditions, a bushfire could potentially approach from virtually any direction”.

SPP Bushfire Hazard map displaying the level of fire risk to the area in Rainbow Beach, Queensland.

The Vegetation Clearing Plan outlined for the proposed development in Rainbow Beach, Queensland.

The proposed subdivision will require the removal of 241 trees, shrubs, and juvenile trees.

It says residents will not have to worry about their view being obstructed from the road as the development “recognises the importance of this natural feature as a driver of the region and seeks to ensure that its values are protected”, adding that it has “been designed to provide connectivity to the beach whilst avoiding any adverse impacts that may occur on this feature”.

There is no timeline indicated on when the application will be approved or when work will start.