‘Critical concerns’: Baha’i place of worship on hold at dangerous Kingston Rd intersection

Plans to build a religious centre on one of the most dangerous intersections south of Brisbane have been put on hold while negotiations take place to move it to a nearby council park. SEE THE VIDEO

Plans to build a religious centre and place of worship on one of Logan’s most dangerous intersections have been put on hold while negotiations take place to move the hall to an adjoining public park.

The National Spiritual Assembly of Baha’is of Australia wants to build a 170-seat hall, which will be used as a place of worship, on the corner of Loganlea and Kingston roads at Waterford.

But Logan City Council planning assessors said they had “critical concerns” about the project and suggested the religious group move the hall building 50m north, away from the intersection.

An artist’s impression of the centre. Plans to build a religious centre on one of the most dangerous intersections in the state have been put on hold while negotiations take place to move the centre and use an adjoining council park

The intersection underwent a $2 million upgrade last year after more than 200 people were caught running red lights each day. The land, which fronts Logan River, also went under water during this year’s flood.

More than 65 objections were received about the project, which will also include a caretaker’s residence, education facility, and student accommodation.

Logan Council has asked for the plans to be moved further north away from the intersection.

Zone Planning director David Ransom, who is overseeing the project for the Baha’i, said the project was a benevolent use of the land but could only accommodate limited changes.

“The council has concerns about the access point to the site and its proximity to the intersection,” Mr Ransom said.

“But we don’t believe the current plans are dangerous and have a traffic report to prove that.

“They suggested that they had some land next door that they were willing to sell and under the Land Act, the adjoining owner is able to buy.

“We are now going through a process to see how an alternative design for the buildings will work with a carpark that is further away from the intersection.

“We have to work out how much land we would need and how much it would cost.”

The busy intersection from the air with the block of land in red and the Riverside Park next door. The Club Hotel Waterford, where a median strip forces cars to do U-turns.

Mr Ransom said if the project proceeded using the park, the Baha’i centre would remain in the same position but the driveway would be moved north and land along the river would be surrendered to the council.

He said the site was chosen because it was in the heart of a low socio-economic area which would benefit from the community centre.

Bompa Rd resident Hean Lim, whose property is near vacant land which abuts the proposed site, says traffic lights on his street would solve some of the traffic woes.

“The land was purchased prior to the pandemic with the intention of constructing a Baháʼí Centre of Learning, a community facility offering Baháʼí-inspired educational programs that develop capacities to contribute to the betterment of society,” Baha’i spokeswoman Awa Momtazian said.

“It is not a temple. We are continuing to work with Logan City Council to ensure any concerns are addressed and the facility is an appropriate and valuable addition to the Waterford West and Logan community, before deciding whether and how to proceed.”

Plans for the new elevated carpark have been submitted to the council for consideration.

Resident from nearby Bompa St Steven Burgess said another driveway on Loganlea Rd would be perilous.

The land flooded in March and backs on to the Logan River.

“Loganlea Rd is heavily congested as a result of surrounding housing developments such as Yarrabilba which have been quickly established without infrastructure,” he said.

‘This location will cause even more traffic hazards at the Bompa Rd intersection where vehicles continually perform U-turns.

“Bompa and Moloney roads are residential streets catering to families with young children and any increase in traffic is dangerous.

“This is a flood plain and the water has to be diverted somewhere and I am concerned that any change to this land will impact our properties.”

Waterford Bridge under flood

Mr Burgess also said the site was once a sawmill and could be contaminated with arsenic.

In a missive to the Baha’i community and Mr Ransom, Logan City Council officers said there were concerns about people travelling north out of the centre along Loganlea Rd and people doing U-turns at Bompa Rd.

Officers also asked for clarity over the number of people who would be using the function centre; details of an emergency vehicle access above the flood level and footpath safety.

They also asked Baha’i to provide further evidence of the need for the centre on Loganlea Rd.