Moreton Bay Regional Council upsets residents over plans to sell recreational land at Rothwell
A COUNCIL in southeast Queensland has angered residents with plans to sell off 9ha of land it originally bought for sport and recreation purposes.
Moreton
Don't miss out on the headlines from Moreton. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A HUGE 9.2ha block of land was bought by council 15 years ago and earmarked for sport and recreation. Now, it’s up for sale.
Moreton Bay Regional Council listed the block of land at 159-181 Morris Rd, Rothwell for sale via tender.
Rothwell sits at the western end of the Redcliffe Peninsula, beside Mango Hill / North Lakes and in the other direction beside Deception Bay.
A Moreton Bay Regional Council spokesman said the land was purchased by the former Redcliffe City Council in 2002, prior to amalgamation, as a possible site for sporting clubs.
If sold, it could be home to a high density housing estate or a retirement village.
Former Moreton Bay Regional Council mayoral candidate Dean Teasdale has launched a petition against the sale, which has so far collected more than 460 signatures.
Mr Teasdale presented the petition to the council during a community comment session of a council meeting on May 23.
“I became aware of the Morris Rd Rothwell sale and posted some information on my Facebook page about it,” Mr Teasdale said.
“The response was huge.
“I assisted local residents with organising letterbox drops, door knocking an info booth and the petition.”
The council spokesman said: “It is important to note that the green and open space at the rear of the Morris Rd site will be retained.”
Former Redcliffe City councillor Peter Houston said the land was purchased to be a recreational space.
“The land was bought off the housing commission as the council did not want to see housing on it,” Mr Houston said.
“It was never meant to be sold off.”
Rothwell resident Maureen Armiger said it would be a shame to see it go.
She raised concerns about the impact on koalas and increased traffic.
Mr Houston said instead of selling it, the council should turn it into a community area with a playground, exercise equipment and a dog park.
Lot sizes almost slashed in half as state hikes council’s housing target
The state has ordered a bayside council to increase its housing supply by 30 per cent to accommodate an extra 45,192 residents by 2046 and has slashed the minimum lot size to help with the move.
Qld homeowners warned to prepare for looming cyclone season
As Queensland braces for another cyclone season, experts urge homeowners to prepare, with alarming statistics revealing most households lack adequate disaster plans.