Resident calls on Ipswich City Council to reject plans for major Redbank Plains development

More than 130 petitioners are fighting the development of a community hub on one of Ipswich’s “last remaining” parcels of “untouched” land, but its developers say they have duly considered the environment.

An application to develop a densely-vegetated site in Ipswich has stirred fierce opposition among residents, with one claiming its approval would be “catastrophic” for local wildlife.

Developer Con Bassili of GAC Holdings has proposed to build a 24-hour service station, a fast food premises, three warehouses, and a 32-unit motel at 25 Greenwood Village Rd in Redbank Plains — a site currently vacant except for foliage and powerlines.

The project, which is expected to create dozens of jobs, is now being considered by Ipswich City Council.

An artist‘s impression of the service station and adjoining fast food restaurant proposed for the Redbank Plains site.

Bundamba resident Kathryn Giess said she was tired of seeing dead wildlife on local roads — their habitats “destroyed” to make way for commercial and residential development — and could not believe another development application had been lodged for the area.

“This area is one of the last remaining parcels of land that has been untouched,” she wrote in a Change.org petition to the council.

“There is already (too) much land clearing in Ipswich in the last couple of years.

“We are calling on Ipswich City Council to reject this proposal as a matter of urgency to protect the last remaining wildlife areas which is not far from Six Mile Creek which will impact the local platypus population, not to mention the koalas, owls, possums, echidnas, and kangaroos …”

She wrote that the environmental impacts of the development going ahead would be “catastrophic” and urged Mayor Teresa Harding and her fellow councillors to “do the right thing and protect what little areas our endangered wildlife have left”.

In just two weeks, the petition has received more than 130 signatures.

Plans for the development acknowledge the subject site contained wildlife habitat and regulated vegetation, but stated all “relevant matters of environmental significance” had already been identified and assessed.

“Further, it is considered that the proposed development will be carried out in accordance with the preliminary approval conditions and will be for urban purposes in an urban area that will directly support the emerging residents,” the plans read.

Ms Giess said she had watched for 30 years as her surroundings were “destroyed” and redeveloped and believed the situation was now “out of hand”.

“Where are the poor animals supposed to go?” she said.

“We pay high rates and everything and it’s just ridiculous.

“Why do we need another service station where it is anyway?”

A 32-unit motel, warehouse, service station, and fast food restaurant will be built at 25 Greenwood Village Rd, Redbank Plains if plans are approved.

She further questioned how and where waste from the hotel and other proposed facilities would be deposited.

According to development plans, shared bin storage points would be made accessible to each tenant and screened and gated to ensure appropriate amenity is maintained.

“(The) proposed waste storage area has been designed and located to facilitate access by the local government’s waste removal vehicles as well as comprising sufficient covering and containment so as to not create an attraction for wildlife,” the plans read.

Ms Giess said she had written to the council to express her concerns about the potential impact such a development could have on local flora and fauna, in what she considers to be an already dire situation.

“Something’s gotta give,” she said.