Council debates concerns over traffic and drainage issues on steep slope

One of the highest profile blocks on the Capricorn Coast, once mooted as a site for a casino, is set to be developed into a housing project.

An artist's impression of the proposed 14 lot development at Cooee Bay.

One of the highest-profile blocks on the Capricorn Coast, once mooted as a site for a casino, is set to be developed into 14 house lots despite concerns with drainage and traffic arising from its steep slope.

Livingstone Shire Council’s development and environment committee meeting this week gave conditional approval for a change of use for the parcel of land next to Wreck Point on Matthew Flinders Drive for the applicant Azzura Developments.

That decisions still needs to be ratified at a full council meeting in two week’s time.

The report to the committee shows all proposed dwellings contain four bedrooms and a double garage in a stepped design to adhere to the sloped site, and minimise earthworks.

The location of the development application for 14 house blocks at Cooee Bay, Yeppoon.

During the meeting Cr Glenda Mather raised concerns about long-running stormwater issues for the established residential properties located below the development site which carries an overall 22 degree slope.

“I have a long history with that site and I want to know it will be done properly,” she said.

A senior council officer said council’s development engineers had conditioned the development proposal in accordance with structural requirements to meet “all the technical requirements” to address all drainage issues.

Cr Rhodes Watson raised his concerns over potential traffic safety resulting from two of the lots having driveway access onto the steep and narrow Matthew Flinders Drive.

“I have been watching this block since I was a kid going back to the ‘80s when (a previous owner) proposed we build a casino there,” he said.

“I’d love to see (this proposal) go ahead particularly with the way they have designed it. I was standing (on the site) looking at it saying ‘it’s going to be good’.

“But if you can’t get safely onto the road and we don’t have the information (available at the meeting), I’m struggling with that.”

The site plan for the 14 house block development at Cooee Bay, Yeppoon.

The proposal was subject to 15 business days of public notification from September 23 attracting five submissions, with water runoff, Brae St traffic impacts and potential light issues the key matters.

Council said the applicant had provided responses which dealt with all those concerns.

Mayor Adam Belot said if councillors approved the development application it was still subject to rigid conditions that involved an “exhaustive filter” of professional people ensuring the final design phase of the project meets all of council’s requirements.

“My concern today is, is this the right use for this block of land?” he said.

“Not so much, is the drainage going to be fixed up, or is the road getting sorted out? There are people much more qualified than me that absolutely address those concerns.

“My decision as an elected representative is, is this an acceptable use of the land?

The four blocks of land making up the housing development site on Matthew Flinders Drive, Cooee Bay near Wreck Point.

“That will be the biggest decision I make today, not how it will be built. I think it is a great use of the land, a tremendous use of the land.”

“Rhodes Watson referenced a previous application for a casino there. I reckon I would have a conflict of interest because I live in Cooee Bay and I would not want that use of a land for a casino.

“But for residential purposes it is an absolute winner.

“Finally there is the confidence in our market that people are prepared to invest millions of dollars on a block that has been sitting vacant, causing drainage issues for neighbours.

“I’m confident that what comes after this (any design issues) will be captured by the professionals. That is their role and responsibility.”

Only Cr Watson voted against the application while Cr Pat Eastwood abstained from the matter due to a conflict of interest in that he lived nearby the development. Cr Wade Rothery was absent.

The subject site is four lots with a combined area of 5,985 square metres. The site is a prominent site directly opposite the Wreck Point Scenic Lookout with frontage to Matthew Flinders Drive, Cathne Street and Brae Street.

The site is vacant with maintained grassland, with natural ground levels of 30m (at Matthew Flinders Drive) and 16.5m at Brae Street, with an overall slope of approximately 22 per cent.