Development plans on waterway ‘defies logic’

RESIDENTS are furious over a development application proposed for a north Brisbane spot notorious for flooding. SEE THE PLANS

Proposed plans for 77 Walkers Way, Nundah.

RESIDENTS are worried a development application proposed for the Kedron Brook waterway in Nundah will have a big impact downstream.

The application is for 32 multiple dwellings on 77 Walkers Way, 800m along Schulz Canal from Toombul Shopping Centre’s carpark which floods regularly.

Kedron Brook Catchment Branch (KBCB) treasurer Rachael Williams said the waterway was already heavily urbanised.

“We feel the site would be best suited as either part of Brisbane City Council’s green space network or floodway acquisition,” she said.

“It is in residents’ best interest as well as those of the broader community and council that high density residential development is kept away from the flood plains.

“This site is downstream of Toombul Shopping Centre where the carpark is known for the terrible impact from flooding events.

A car sits in flood waters in the Toombul Shopping Centre car park, north of Brisbane, Thursday, March 30, 2017. A severe rain depression is currently taking place throughout south-east Queensland on the back of ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie. (AAP Image/Albert Perez) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

“Although this development is high risk in terms of environmental and social values and costs, the land is cheap due to the above-mentioned constraints and therefore allows developers to make more profits.

“Developers also know that even if BCC rejects the development application, they can take it to the Planning and Environment Court and have a strong chance of success.”

Nundah resident Kathy Ran said she was horrified when she saw the application.

“It’s crazy and defies logic,” she said.

“I live a few streets back in a place that floods pretty regularly. At least once a year every year there’s flooding.”

The area is currently zoned by Brisbane City Council as rural and is 7069 square metres.

Proposed plans for 77 Walkers Way, Nundah.

The majority of the land is situated like a battle-axe behind eight neighbouring homes.

“It’s zoned rural for a reason,” Ms Ran said.

“It’s designated as a water catchment zone not to be developed on.

“It should remain rural or become a parkland.”

Ms Ran said if the homes were built up on land it would increase the risk of flooding for surrounding residents, which was what happened when a similar number of dwellings were built at 130 Nellie St, which backs onto a waterway.

“Within six months of that development being completed we had really heavy rain events and they weren’t impacted, but it certainly had a big impact on properties downstream.”

According to the applicant’s Flood Impact and Flood Risk Assessment, the proposal includes a retaining wall 2.4m from the building site boundary as well as “modification of ground levels”.

“... a flood impact assessment was undertaken to confirm that the development would not result in actionable nuisance on neighbouring properties or the associated road network,” the assessment stated.