Block size blue as residents criticise new masterplanned community

Developers of a controversial housing estate, Sage Burpengary, have stood by their plans despite being slammed by locals accusing the project of capitalising on the land by using tiny blocks.

Developers of a masterplanned 29ha community on former farming land in Burpengary are sticking to their guns amid some criticism around block sizes.

A limited number of stage one lots for Sage Burpengary have been released but the Hunt Rd estate has been met with some residents asking why larger home blocks and acreage spaces were being replaced with smaller blocks.

Cedar Woods Properties is developing the estate.

Construction will start in October 2022, with Sage comprising 329 lots and a range of lot sizes up to 812 sqm.

Stage one provides an average lot size of 423 sqm, with more than 33 per cent of the lots greater than 450 sqm in size.

One local said, via a Sage Burpengary Facebook post, that they were tiny blocks and questioned why there could not be more diversity within new estates, adding “some people want backyards, sheds and space to park their cars”.

Another asked can you even pass two cars on the road?

Another said the developers should be ashamed of building shoeboxes.

The Sage Burpengary estate will transform what was originally a site highly modified by 14 individual landowners, including a nursery and hobby macadamia farm. Picture: Contributed

However a Cedar Woods spokesperson said compared to other land releases on the market in Moreton Bay in the June 2022 quarter, the average lot size in Sage was about 10 per cent larger.

“The engagement from buyers has been strong with a number of purchasers looking for a new opportunity to get into the housing market in the Moreton Bay Region,” spokesperson said.

“We have been receiving significant positive feedback from prospective purchasers about the new Sage community, with the low maintenance and relative affordability of the lots on offer appealing.

“Queensland’s population growth continues to outstrip the supply of new land and housing in South East Queensland, making new communities like Sage extremely important in addressing housing demand.”

Cedar Woods Properties received Development Approval for Sage in January, 2022.

A Cedar Woods spokesperson said compared to other land releases on the market in Moreton Bay in the June 2022 quarter, the average lot size in Sage is about 10 per cent larger. Picture: Contributed

The 29-hectare community will transform what was originally a site highly modified by 14 individual landowners, including a nursery and hobby macadamia farm.

One resident was disappointed Sage would destroy the five acre blocks, suggesting fauna and flora would be flattened by bulldozers, like other developments on Clark and Robbs Rd.

A Cedar Woods Properties spokesperson said more than 30 per cent of Sage, equating to 9ha, would be retained, and rehabilitated as environmental corridor.

“This will connect to a broader 300 hectares of environmental land south of the community, providing a safe area for wildlife movement,” spokesperson said.

“Cedar Woods Properties will be undertaking an extensive replanting and rehabilitation program to establish the environmental corridor, including providing more than 200 nesting boxes.

“Sage will also deliver $5 million in infrastructure improvements, with 75 per cent of the external works due to be completed before the first residents move into the community.

“This includes new road signals at the corner of Lindsay Road and Hunt Road and Lindsay Road and O’Brien Road.”

The development would also feature an 8100 sqm recreation park, designed around preserving established trees and other flora. The park will include a playground, basketball half court, seating areas plus walking/scooter trails.