Councillors, CEO and residents call for a new planning scheme for Moreton Bay

Following the approval of several controversial developments, including a 44m tall tower, a council CEO, councillors and residents are calling for a shake-up of the planning scheme.

The approved 44m tall unit complex at Woody Point, which residents have lodged an appeal against with the Planning and Environment Court. Picture: PD Online/Rothelowman.

A new planning scheme could be one of the first projects actioned by the next Moreton Bay Regional Council.

The current Moreton Bay Planning Scheme was adopted in 2016.

Creating a new planning scheme can take three to five years and cost up to $5 million.

Following the approval of a number of controversial development applications, including a 44m tall tower at Woody Point, and a high-rise development at Welsby Pde Bribie Island, residents and councillors are beginning to question how well the current scheme is working.

The most contentious issues being the height of buildings, setbacks and densities.

During last Tuesday’s council meeting the matter was raised several times.

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First by former councillors Greg Chippendale and Gary Parsons – who gave separate presentations during the community comment session.

“I have been asked by residents and prominent people on Bribie Island that there should be an area/neighbourhood type plan introduced to help protect the 15m areas along our foreshores on Bribie Island,” Mr Parsons said.

Derek Catterall and the Woody Point Action Group are in favour of a new planning scheme. PHOTO: AAP/Richard Walker

Close to 800 community members lodged objections to development applications put to the council during last week’s meeting.

The most contentious issues being the height of buildings, setbacks and densities.

Councillors Koliana Winchester, Denise Sims and Brooke Savage all argued this proved there was a need for a new planning scheme.

“We appear to be clearly at odds with the community and with our planning scheme,” Cr Sims said.

“I am just wondering if we have lost the community here and if we need to go out and do it again.”

WOODY POINT ACTION GROUP TAKE DEVELOPER TO COURT

Council CEO Greg Chemello agreed.

“If we took a vote, everyone in the room would want a new planning scheme,” Mr Chemello said.

Mr Chemello said under Queensland’s performance-based planning system, developers could potentially exceed certain guidelines like height and density while also achieving the desired outcomes outlined in the Planning Scheme.

“Council has commenced preparations of the Regional Growth Management Strategy 2041 to deal with growth on the urban fringe as well as infill development where height and density sometimes create community concern,” he said.

“This Strategy will provide a framework to manage growth strategically taking on-board community feedback.”

Woody Point Action Group and Newport Action Group both said it would support a new planning scheme, especially one that outlined an absolute maximum building height.

Council spokesman for planning Councillor Mick Gillam said planning schemes were “living documents”.

“Like community expectations, they are constantly evolving and changing. One of the most important parts of creating or changing a scheme, is community engagement,” Cr Gillam said.

“While state legislation requires a review of a scheme every 10 years, we know that community expectations change more rapidly, even since the community engagement on our 2016 scheme.”

Cr Gillam said that under the South East Queensland Regional Plan council would need to provide 80,000 new dwellings between 2017 and 2041.

He said the challenge was to do it in a way that protected “our local way of life”.