Plans to build houses in wildlife corridor

THE future of a wildlife corridor, protected by local laws, is under threat after a developer submitted plans to build two houses on it.

THE future of a wildlife corridor at Bahrs Scrub is under threat after a developer submitted plans to build two houses on it.

In February, Sydney-registered company Nuview Developments lodged an application with Logan City Council to build a 59-lot housing estate on Dairy Creek Rd.

The property runs down to a wildlife corridor.

The proposal includes building two houses on the southern boundary of the land designated in the Logan City Council Planning Scheme as a biodiversity corridor which is linked to the Buccan Conservation Park. The two houses would take up about 1000sqm each inside the 6000sqm environmental corridor.

Consultants S5 Environmental conducted an ecological assessment and found the land to be “a locally significant wildlife corridor” but not critical in the local or regional landscape.

However, residents pointed out anomalies in the report including the plans were for 131 lots not 59.

Developers Nuview have lodged a development application with Logan City Council. PHOTOS: JUDITH KERR

Resident Lou Fornasier, who is selling his land to Nuview for the development, said he was dismayed as he had protected the corridor for decades.

“I have lodged an objection with the council because I don’t think it is right that a developer can put two building blocks in the wildlife corridor,” he said.

“I’ve got nothing to gain from objecting. I’ve already sold the land to the developer. But when I was first told about the wildlife corridor back in 2010, I was told there would be no new buildings allowed in the corridor, which was on my land.”

Mr Fornasier said he was angry a 2011 report, which found there was a need for a connecting corridor, had been ignored. That report by Gassman Development Perspectives, commissioned by concerned local residents, also said claims about the environmental values of the area were exaggerated.

Nuview, who declined to comment, is also asking council to rezone the land from Emerging Community to low density. It conducted studies to determine the impacts of the project and held public notification. Residents had the chance to have their say until submissions closed on October 2.

According to a 25-page Town Planning Report by Innovative Planning Solutions, the proposal would result in a net density of 9.8 dwellings per hectare, not the stipulated 15 to 20 for a Suburban/Small Lot Precinct. More than 520 trees have been earmarked for axing to make way for the houses and council would expect financial offsets under its Vegetation Management Plan.

Council said it was assessing the development application on its merits and any public submissions.

“Any development in the Biodiversity Corridor must provide for habitat links, facilitate safe wildlife movement, facilitate wildlife refuge, enhance habitat values and rehabilitate degraded areas with native vegetation,” council said.