Save North Lakes Golf Course celebrates win after school fails to receive State endorsement

There’s been a win for people power at North Lakes as the State Government refuses to endorse a plan for an independent school at the former golf club site.

A proposal for an independent school at the former North Lakes Golf Course has hit a stumbling block after the State Government failed to endorse the proposal.

The developer of the site lodged the plans for the school to accompany a previously announced retirement village.

The closure of the award-winning course in 2019 attracted protests from residents and club members alike who wanted the site to remain a course.

Residents were made aware of the Village Retirement Group (TVRG) latest plans to include a school in August.

More than 1300 submissions were lodged against the proposed development with the Queensland Government.

“JH Northlakes Pty Ltd sought initial advice from the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning (the department) for a MID proposal in March 2021,” s spokesman for the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning said.

“In September 2021, the proponent sought endorsement to lodge a MID proposal. The department reviewed the supporting materials provided and a decision has been made to not support the MID proposal.

“The department decided to not support the MID proposal for reasons including that there is no identified funding for the development of the school.”

TVRG previously told the Courier Mail said several independent education institutions had expressed interest in establishing a new school on the southern part of the site between Endeavour Boulevard and Diamond Jubilee Way.

The land is zoned for sport and recreation but education is an allowable use under the planning scheme that governs the site.

North Lakes residents Samantha Stephens, Samantha Eason, Ashlea Robinson and Jane Longmuir pose for a photograph with their demonstration signs in North Lakes. (AAP/Image Sarah Marshall)

TVRG said that based on census data, the demand for non-government school enrolments will increase by between 1550 and 1790 students for primary schools and between 1650 and 2340 students for secondary schools over the next 15 years.

Save North Lakes Golf Course president Andrew Cathcart said it was great news for residents.

“We’ve only just found out that the application for the school has not been endorsed by the State, “ he said.

“It’s the right answer for the community.

“There were over 1300 submissions against it so there was an overwhelming part of the community were against it and the State Government have rejected it so it’s a great day for North Lakes.”

Save North Lakes Golf Course group are hoping to stop development of the site. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

Mr Cathcart said the community has been bolstered by the State Government’s response.

“Our advice is that we’re in a very strong position and we’re going to stick with that,” Mr Cathcart said.

“We’re going to see it through, this is half the job done.

“We’re going to await the next lodgement and we’ll object to that.”

The community group president said the small win was all thanks to locals who have gotten behind the cause.

“As president of a community organisation I want to thank every one of them, it’s an amazing response,” he said.

“Our fundraising has gone to another level, we’ve got our own beer label now.

“We’ve got over 4000 members, we’ve said from day one we’re in a strong position so why would we negotiate that.”

The Village Retirement Group spokesperson said they are currently reviewing the advice from the State Government regarding the MID proposal for an independent school.

“We are still preparing to lodge a DA for the Retirement Village, Aged Care, and North Lakes Common,” the spokesperson said.