Council to manage part of old pineapple farm property after agreement with developer

Strathpine pineapple farm parkland to open up to the community under developer agreement.

Peet managing director Brendan Gore (Centre) with Crs Mick Gillam and Mike Charlton.

THE last remnants of a historic pineapple farm in Strathpine have been handed over to the council to manage.

Developer Peet recently signed over 6.6ha of the property at 84 Samsonvale Rd, Strathpine, to Moreton Bay Council to manage.

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Most of the land known as John Bray Park, north of Four Mile Creek up to an extended Walsham Street, would become council-operated parkland.

Division 8 councillor Mick Gillam, who is likely to be regain his seat at the election, said the land would allow the council to provide a quality green space to enjoy.

“Moreton Bay Regional Council will ensure the land is put to best use, which is why we will be looking to the local community for their input in what they would like to see included in the parkland and open space,” he said.

“We will commence engagement with the local community to determine uses for the space in the coming months.”

The park on the former Strathpine pineapple farm property to be handed to council.

Peet managing director Brendan Gore said the developer would also create a 1.16ha park within the development, expected later this year.

Peet bought the 15.73ha pineapple farm on January 31, 2019, for $18.5 million.

The property had been in the Blatchford family for more than 80 years, after it was bought by Percy Blatchford in January 1937.

Percy and his wife Lily (nee Leitch, another early pioneering family) established the first small crops farm in the area.

Lily died on May 22, 1949 aged 53 years and Percy died on March 17, 1969 aged 74 years.

Their son Leslie took over the running of the farm before his death on May 27, 2017.

Moreton Bay Council approved developer Peet’s plans for a 182-lot housing development last June.

It includes 106 lots between about 220sqm-500sqm as well as 76 townhouse lots.

Stage one of the development has already been released and some lots were still available.

As part of the approval conditions, Peet must upgrade the Samsonvale Road/Beitz Street intersection with new traffic lights.

Samsonvale Rd would also be widened at the estate to have two eastbound lanes.

The road and intersection upgrade was estimated to cost Peet $1.9 million.

Cr Mike Charlton, currently in a close fight with rival Cath Tonks to retain his seat at the election, said the new intersection would ease congestion and provide easier access to Samsonvale Rd from the development.

“We endeavour to work closely with the community throughout the development process, to ensure that there is the least amount of disruption possible,” he said.

Where the development results in the loss of any koala habitat trees near Four Mile Creek, Peet would provide replacement fauna nesting boxes in John Bray Park at a ratio of three nest boxes for every habitat tree removed.

Cr Gillam said the land on the northern side was cleared a time long ago and about 3/4 of it has regrowth eucalypt forest.

“Koalas were regular visitors as the trees grew,” he said.

“Les used this side to fatten calves for market.

“Most of the good koala trees are in the new park area and will remain.”