Premier asked to intervene in approval of Mildura Rise estate

A councillor has written to the Premier asking him to intervene in her own council’s approval of a 392 lot estate after 100 locals gathered for a public meeting.

Cr Glenda Mather and neighbouring residents are voicing concerns with a number of issues including traffic for the new Mildura Rise Estate .

Livingstone Region councillor Glenda Mather has written to the Premier David Crisafulli asking him to intervene in council’s “misguided and reckless approval” of a new 392 lot estate.

Cr Mather attended a public meeting on Saturday of about neighbouring estate residents opposing Procon Development’s Mildura Rise estate just north of Rockhampton on the Bruce Highway, said they held numerous concerns.

The number one objection is council changing the land use from rural zone to low density residential to allow the lots to be reduced from a minimum of 4000 sqm to as low as 1000 sqm (about 300 between 1000 sqm and 2000 sqm).

“In short, the developer wants to change the Planning Scheme to place a relatively urban development of multiple lot sizes literally in the middle of several established and highly-valued park residential estates – lots consisting of one acre,” she wrote to the Premier recently.

The updated development site plan for 392 lots at Mildura Rise Estate near Rockhampton.

“Properties in the neighbouring estates (Glenlee, Glendale, Rockyview, Olive) are in the hundreds, and have been identified as

lifestyle blocks from the outset. This area stretches from Ramsay Crk to the south (LSC boundary with Rockhampton) to Greenlake Rd to the north – an estimated stretch of 3km.

“All (of these) property-owners bought these larger lots to be removed from the pressures and confines of urban life. They treasure their space as it gives them peace of mind.”

She asked the Premier “to give consideration to council’s misguided and reckless approval to the Procon Development and take whatever action you deem appropriate”.

Cr Mather said she had not been involved in any of the decisions or debate due to a conflict of interest in that her family recently purchased a block adjoining the proposed Mildura Rise.

She said residents at Saturday’s public meeting didn’t believe their submissions objecting to the estate had been properly considered.

Council’s report on the change of use decision said a total of 155 submissions were received of which 86 submissions opposed the development, and 69 submissions were in support or were neutral.

Meanwhile, about 24 submissions were not properly made.

This map shows the location of the newly approved 393 lot Mildura Rise Estate surrounded by Glendale, Rockyview and Glenlee suburbs. The blackline is the Bruce Highway.

A Livingstone Shire Council spokesperson said people had the right to lodge an appeal following the approval in November.

“Council has followed lawful due process with consideration to the Mildura Rise Development Application,” she said.

“At a committee meeting held on 5 November 5 2024, it was recommended to resolve to approve the application at the ordinary Council Meeting held November 19.

“Council engaged an independent consultant to review the application and the developers waived their right to appeal. The decision has been sent through to the submitters.

“If submitters have any concerns, they have 20 business days from the time of notification to lodge an appeal.”

Cr Mather said she hadn’t received a response from the Premier at this time.

A locality plan for Mildura Rise Estate at Rockyview.

These are councils answers to the list of the main concerns from the 86 submissions, according to its report:

• Impact of the proposed development on properties (devaluing) and increasing rates:

Property values are not relevant planning considerations or assessment benchmarks under the planning framework. Notwithstanding, it is reasonable to expect additional lots within the Local Government Area will make a positive contribution to the rate base.

• Increase in density and impact on existing residents (i.e., lowering the socio-economic standard, dust, pollution and noise during operational works, increased crime):

The proposed development is considered to provide a sensible transition of lot sizes between established residential areas to the north and south. The development has been conditioned to manage impacts relating to dust and noise during the construction phase.

• Proposed lot sizes are less than the minimum 1ha prescribed for the adjoining estates to the north and south:

The proposed development is considered to provide diversity in the market with more traditional lot sizes as well as larger rural residential lots. This diversity is considered to provide an outcome aligned with the State Planning Policy (Housing Supply and Diversity).

•  Inconsistent with the Livingstone Planning Scheme including the Strategic Framework, Rural zone code and other assessment benchmarks:

The development application has demonstrated an overriding need for additional housing and housing diversity within this part of Rockyview. It is considered that there are sufficient planning grounds and relevant matters to support a departure from the assessment benchmarks.

• Access to sewer infrastructure (nearest being located within the Rockhampton Regional Council):

The development has been conditioned to ensure all relevant infrastructure connections are provided prior to the creation of any additional allotments. Rockhampton Regional Council has provided support to access the relevant sewer infrastructure servicing the development.

• Traffic concerns including an increased volume of traffic, negative impacts on the Angela Road/Bruce Highway intersection and on Bunya Road, lack of proposed road upgrades (including the Bruce Highway access points):

The State Government has provided support for access from Bruce Highway. The development has been conditioned appropriately to ensure the necessary road upgrades are provided at the developer’s expense.

• Stormwater runoff needs to be adequately addressed:

The development is supported by a civil engineering assessment to address stormwater runoff and management. This report has been assessed by Council and the development has been appropriately conditioned to ensure the relevant stormwater standards are achieved.

• Bushfire prone area

The applicant has submitted a bushfire hazard assessment and management plan that determined that there is no bushfire hazard risk for this site and therefore, the development has been designed safely from a bushfire perspective.

Further to this council said all infrastructure upgrades will be provided by the applicant in accordance with the conditions of the approval with necessary services in place prior to the creation of residential allotments.

This includes water, sewer, road, electricity and telecommunication provisions.

One of the key reasons behind council’s support for the change of use was “overriding community need” to provide more housing as a result of rapid population growth.