Bowls club unit development knocked back by court
A controversial plan to build units on a Brisbane bowls club site has been defeated in court this morning, setting an important precedent for similar developments.
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A controversial plan to build units on the Yeronga Bowls Club site has been defeated in the Planning & Environment Court this morning, setting an important precedent for similar developments.
Lennium Group Pty Ltd first floated a plan for a five-storey apartment complex on the site about four years ago, which it later reduced to four storeys after fierce opposition from some residents.
It then varied its development application, further reducing the height to three storeys.
But Brisbane City Council still decided to knock back the development application.
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A marathon court battle lasting more than two years ensued but this morning (Friday, April 26) Judge Nicole Kefford knocked back Lennium’s appeal against the council refusal and also refused the development application.
Judge Kefford’s very lengthy ruling did not rely on many points of noncompliance raised by council in its reasons for rejecting the project, including flooding concerns.
Instead, Judge Kefford relied on the site’s heritage listing and the fact its sport and recreation zoning was inconsistent with City Plan.
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A jubilant Councillor Nicole Johnston (Tennyson), who has been supporting opponents of the project from the beginning, said the judgment set an encouraging precedent for other bowls clubs faced with similar developments.
“This is good news for everybody in Brisbane and particularly Yeronga because it ensures heritage-listed sporting facilities will remain in our city and be protected from unit and other developments,’’ Cr Johnston said.
“The big challenge now is to reinvent the Yeronga Bowls Club.
“They’re in a good financial position but need to reinvent themselves to remain relevant to our local community’s sporting needs.’’
Ms Johnston said the club had been resistant to the idea of partnerships, not just with other bowls clubs but futsal, yoga and other groups which could share its facilities to ensure it remained viable.
The club has been contacted for comment, as has Lennium Group.
Resident Nick Read, one of the leaders of the group opposing the development plans, said he was a social member and had applied for full membership but had been knocked back.
He said the club had confirmed it was not taking on new members “I’m keen to see it survive, I just object to this development because of the heritage aspect and stormwater
flooding,’’ he said.
“The green they wanted to build on dates back to 1913 and is very significant.
“I’ve lived in the area since 2004 and it has always had stormwater flooding issues in that time.
“The green acts as a retention pond, holding the water that flows down Querrin St and slowly releasing it, which helps with flooding in Lake St.
“The judge did not find stormwater issues were proven.
“But we think there is insufficient drainage under the (nearby) rail overpass and building units on the green would worsen already bad flooding.’’
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