Developer TVRG wants second round of community feedback over golf course plans
A DEVELOPER is driving ahead with plans to build on a golf course north of Brisbane and has launched a new website detailing options for proposed open space on the site.
Moreton
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THE Village Retirement Group (TVRG) is driving ahead with plans to develop North Lakes Resort Golf Course and has hit back at “misleading information” from residents.
Golf course owner Adam Simpson indicated the course would close in December next year and be sold to TVRG to be developed into a retirement village and aged care facility, subject to government approval.
Mr Simpson also said he would consider his options at the end of 2019 if TVRG decided to not proceed with its plans.
The proposal has been met with fierce opposition from many residents who have formed a group, Save North Lakes Golf Course, to fight the development.
The group has been preparing behind the scenes to ready an objection to any development application from TVRG that is submitted to Moreton Bay Regional Council.
They have also received the backing of both Federal LNP MP for Petrie Luke Howarth and Federal Labor candidate for Petrie Corinne Mulholland.
The development application is expected to be lodged in December, prior to the council’s Christmas shutdown.
If approved, TVRG anticipates construction of the village and “North Lakes Common” (ie the open space) would begin in January 2020.
TVRG is now carrying out a second round of community engagement to find out what residents wanted to see on the 57ha of remaining open space on the site.
“We see this as a chance for genuine community outcomes,’’ TVRG Managing Director Justin Harrison said.
“We also want North Lakes residents to understand the facts about the proposal, explore what’s possible and not be hoodwinked by fabrications.”
Mr Harrison accused SNLGC of “actively spreading misinformation” on social media about the proposed development, in relation to a post on closed group Facebook page claiming a waste water treatment plant would be built at each end of the site.
“TVRG has no plans to install on-site waste water treatment on the site,” he said.
“This is not even close to what is planned for North Lakes Common and this is just one of the posts that have been plain wrong.”
Alan Hoban, director of Civil and Water at engineering consultancy Bligh Tanner, said best practice treatment of stormwater run-off used enhanced natural wetlands and floodplain processes to improve water quality.
“Like most of the urban development in the area, sewage would be conveyed in pipes to a Unitywater wastewater treatment plant for appropriate treatment,” he said.
TVRG’s new website contains a map of the golf course divided into precincts listing options for land usage should the development go ahead and the developer is, for the second time, asking residents what they want in that space.
“We understand that there is community support for a golf course to remain but the reality is that the golf club hasn’t been well-supported and is closing,’’ Mr Harrison said.
More than 280 residents attended community information sessions about the proposal in July.
The majority were opposed to any development on the course with concerns ranging from a perceived reduction in property values, to traffic increases, the scale of the proposed development on a small portion of the course and environmental outcomes.
“We think some people have been focused on what they are losing rather that what they might gain,’’ Mr Harrison said.
“We want to talk to people from across the community about what else they might like in their backyard.”
The website has been criticised by SNLGC president Andrew Cathcart who said it was “disrespectful and rude”.
“Their website seems to be flawed with PR spiel and lacking in factual information with no statistics backing up their claims,” he said.
“VRG don’t even own the golf course yet they are saying when it will close despite the owner saying he will look at other options if TVRG walks away.
“The options on the map are totally disrespectful of the current land use and the DCP (Mango Hill Infrastructure Development Control Plan) and we as residents have to get them to realise this.
“It’s clear the DCP has to be fully complied with and any changes have to be minor in nature. How is a retirement home a minor change to a golf course?
“Doing 11ha of construction is going to adversely affect the wildlife habitat and the whole area. I don’t care what you do with the remaining 57ha open space.
“I’d say we’re more than confident with our legal position and we don’t believe TVRG should be pursuing this any further.”
The golf club, which is a privately run business on privately owned land, has been operating at a loss since 2013, according to the website.
People can look at the proposed options at northlakescommon.com.au
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