‘Hiding behind council’: State attacked over Bruce Hwy resumptions threat

The state government has been accused of “hiding behind council” over plans to upgrade the Bruce Hwy that’s put an entire street at risk of demolition.

A war of words has erupted between local and state government over who is to blame for an entire street at risk of being resumed for future road upgrades.

Distressed homeowners of newly-built houses along the Bruce Highway have told of their horror at being sent letters from the Department of Transport learning their properties could be bulldozed for upgrades.

Twenty-four residential lots in a new development at Griffin, in Brisbane’s north, received emails on Monday telling them they could lose their homes, days and weeks after being handed the keys.

Moreton Bay Councillor Jodie Shipway – in a long and detailed post on her Councillor Facebook page – took aim at the state government.

Moreton Bay councillor Jodie Shipway slammed the state government over a Griffin housing resumption decision.

Cr Shipway accused the department of “hiding behind” the council.

“Council approved these housing lots in Griffin back in 2020 and when those plans were referred to the state government for assessment at that time, they didn’t say there was the potential for property resumptions in this area,” Cr Shipway wrote.

“It seems the state government need to come out and speak with residents and inform residents that this corridor wasn’t part of the gazetted corridors supplied to council prior to these homes being built or the land being developed.

“Hiding behind councils and councillors doesn’t show leadership and certainly doesn’t give our community any faith that collaboration is actually happening between our levels of government.”

Young couple Charmaine and James Jackson were one of the Venture St homeowners to receive Monday’s crushing email - six weeks after moving in.

The family and more than 20 others were sent letters informing them their properties were at risk of being resumed.

Unlike the Jackson’s complete four-bedroom home, many along Venture St remain under construction.

First homeowners James and Charmaine Jackson who have two young children, in front of their home on Venture Drive at Griffin. Picture Lachie Millard

Cr Shipway questioned some of the statements made by Transport Minister Mark Bailey on news bulletins on Wednesday night.

“When (Mr Bailey) was questioned earlier yesterday regarding this statement he was quick to apologise saying he didn’t realise it was Moreton Bay that the media were referring to,” Cr Shipway wrote.

“Not only am I calling on the state government to correct the statements made to the media yesterday but on behalf of the community it would be appreciated if maps and further details were published and the community weren’t left worried about what’s next.”

Cr Shipway said neither she nor Mayor Peter Flannery had been briefed on the resumptions but said they were due to meet with the department next week.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey yesterday said the project was “in the very early planning stages” and residents who could potentially be impacted had been the first to be notified – “as it should be”.

“We are committed to important upgrades like this which will see Queenslanders get home safer and sooner,” Mr Bailey said.

Mr Bailey said he had met with Cr Flannery on Wednesday and looked forward to a strong working relationship in the high-growth area in the future.