Koala habitat at risk: Lavish aged care development set for Ipswich

A developer plans to build a grand retirement village west of Brisbane with its own bar, cafe, and beauty salon but council has concerns around flood zones and nearby koala habitat. SEE THE PLANS

A developer seeks to build a lavish retirement village at Goodna which will have its own bar, cafe, and beauty salon, however the Ipswich City Council has pointed out potential issues around flood zones and loss of koala habitat.

PGS Invest Pty Ltd to build the facility on an 11.4 hectare block in Goodna. Picture: Artist impressions Precinct Urban Planning

The proposed PGS Invest Pty Ltd development was lodged with the ICC in July 2021, and seeks to build 189 independent living units, an aged care and dementia facility with another 81 beds, and 15 special disability accommodation units.

The project boasts a luxury lifestyle among the rolling hills at 107 Bertha Street, which plans to include a sauna, gym, restaurant, library, business centre and more.

The project phase is currently open for public feedback, and PGS Invest notified owners of adjoining lots on May 17.

PGS Invest Pty Ltd to build the facility on an 11.4 hectare block in Goodna. Picture: Artist impressions Precinct Urban Planning

The ICC requested more information on a number of aspects of the project including land clearing and flood response, and a Precinct Urban Planning report was presented to the council in May on behalf PGS Invest to address the queries.

The report noted the ICC drew attention to the site being deemed essential koala habitat, and home to a number of other species including the powerful owl, grey-headed flying Fox, and squirrel glider.

“The applicant is requested to submit an amended Ecological Assessment Report, expanding the flora and fauna survey efforts to ensure appropriate survey effort for all threatened species,” the report said.

“(Also), it is unclear if this has been assessed appropriately for the Ipswich region … due to the proportionally low abundance of primary koala food trees in many of the Ipswich Regional Ecosystems.”

PGS Invest Pty Ltd to build the facility on an 11.4 hectare block in Goodna. Picture: Artist impressions Precinct Urban Planning

In response, the report noted the vegetation clearing was approved by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning.

“In order to avoid and minimise potential (harm) direct and indirect impacts on threatened or significant flora and fauna species, a suite of Environmental Management Plans have been prepared,” the report stated.

“Koala friendly measures that must implemented, relating to fencing pools and fencing, and longer term measures such as weed management and revegetation to … improve the quality of the retained habitats thereby ensuring the vegetation integrity and habitat values are improved and maintained (forever).”

PGS Invest Pty Ltd to build the facility on an 11.4 hectare block in Goodna. Picture: Artist impressions Precinct Urban Planning

The council also sought more information on how the facility would fare during catastrophic flooding events, especially because the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry states there must be access to care facilities during and after flood events.

“While Church Street provides flood free access to the development from the section of road fronting the site, this road is impacted by an overland flow path to the north and south of the site,” the report stated.

In response, the report noted the impact had been assessed and amended as part of a multifaceted Stormwater Management Plan, and emergency access would be available via Bertha Street.

The flood measures are to ensure that even during a one in 500 to 10,000 year flood event, the facility would not be cut off.

“However, in order to manage residents sheltering in place and to allow for the movement of residents to the main buildings during extreme flood events, it is recommended that … a Flood Emergency Management Plan prepared by a suitably qualified … risk management specialist,” the report stated.