Livingstone torpedoes idea of housing development at Flinders Park

In what has been described as “a wonderful win” by residents, Livingstone Shire Council has torpedoed an idea to turn a coastal land reserve into residential housing development.

An aerial view of Cooee Bay with (inset) Livingstone Shire councillor Adam Belot.

A controversial idea to have a parcel of State-owned land at the Capricorn Coast converted into freehold land for possible residential housing development, has been torpedoed.

The land in question was Flinders Park - a road reserve on Matthew Flinders Drive at Cooee Bay.

After the community became aware that such an idea was being considered by Livingstone Shire Council, many took to social media to express their concerns.

The council’s deputy mayor Adam Belot called a public meeting at Flinders Park where a crowd of about 180 gathered and more than 150 people signed a petition opposing such a move.

At Livingstone’s August monthly meeting recently, it was a win for “people power” when councillors unanimously decided that residential development was not supported on the Matthew Flinders Drive road reserve commonly known as Flinders Park, and further to scrap any such plans.

Instead, councillors voted to start the process required to convert Flinders Park to “park reserve” (or equivalent tenure that reflects the park/open space nature of the area).

Livingstone Shire councillor Adam Belot.

Following the council’s resolution, Mr Belot expressed his joy that the people who had said “hands off our park” had been heard.

“Flinders Park and surrounding communities think that council’s decision is good work and definitely a winner,” Mr Belot said.

Yeppoon resident Gabrielle Anderson described it as “a wonderful win.”

Previously, Yeppoon resident Dianne Ouston had said: “These parks are ‘our’ green spaces - and should be kept as parks for generations to come.”

Former Livingstone councillor candidate Mike Decman said: “There is other state land which is highly likely better suited and more economical as fit for purpose to build social housing.”

Mr Decman added: “Community open space in these areas (Flinders Park) is paramount and preserves amenity along our coastline here.”

Mr Belot said he hoped to see the same outcome with land at Cresta Park in Taranganba and Bicentennial Park in Emu Park, which had also been suggested as possible areas for new residential housing developments, and that came to fruition at the August meeting.

In relation to Flinders Park, Livingstone Mayor Andy Ireland said in late July that if the council was to acquire the site as freehold land “any number of options could be considered for its future”.

“(Council) officers considered the site to be a prime location for residential development,” Mr Ireland said.

“However, there was no commitment from council to proceed in this direction, and ultimately the decision rests with council.

“It should be remembered that it is the role of the officers to present options to council in relation to council matters.

“It is the role of the council to consider these matters, engage with the community, and make decisions based on the relevant information.”