New neighbourhood plan aims to create a vision for Sandgate

BRISBANE City Council has committed to updating a 23-year-old Neighbourhood Plan to help protect this suburb’s character and identify development opportunities.

The process has begun to update the Sandgate Neighbourhood Plan.

BRISBANE City Council has committed to updating the 23-year-old Sandgate Neighbourhood Plan to help meet the changing needs of the suburb into the future.

The news was welcomed by Councillor Jared Cassidy (Deagon), Sandgate and Districts Chamber of Commerce president Bill Gollan andKeep Sandgate Beautiful Association president Frank Box.

SHORNCLIFFE PIER KIOSK GOES BACK UP FOR TENDER

City Planning chairman Cr Matthew Bourke said the council would undertake preliminary research over coming months before starting the community engagement process early next year.

“Neighbourhood planning is an opportunity for the local community to work together with Council to define their vision for the future of Sandgate, identify opportunities to protect its character and help shape the way the area will change over the next 10 years and beyond,” Cr Bourke said.

Cr Jared Cassidy at Einbunpin Lagoon in Sandgate.

Cr Cassidy said the process for a new plan was quite extensive and it could take between two and three years before it was officially adopted.

He said Neighbourhood Plans sit under the City Plan and include conditions relating to height limits, setbacks from property boundaries, provision of parking and additional community facilities such parks and open spaces, and active travel infrastructure as part of development.

“They can also identify precincts where particular types of industry and development is appropriate … and can also include greater protection of significant vegetation and character housing,” Cr Cassidy said.

“It’s a great opportunity to really assess what type of development we want in our community, however it won’t bring new businesses to the area itself. Rather it provides the opportunity for different types of development.”

The entrance to Sandgate Village, looking from Sandgate Rail Station. Picture: Renee McKeown

Mr Gollan said the announcement had come after nearly three years of lobbying with the council.

“A lot has been going on in Sandgate in the last few years with younger families moving in and a lot of changes with business, and a lot of businesses are crying out for direction,” Mr Gollan said.

“This is a really good start in planning for the future direction of our community — our business community and a community for our kids.”

Mr Gollan said an updated plan was an integral part of the chamber’s 2020 Vision to make the district the preferred location in which to live and do business.

Their Sandgate 2020 Vision document released in 2016 showed many residents supported a new plan.

“We encourage everyone to get involved,” Mr Gollan said.

“Let’s sit down as a community and work together on what makes us a great community.”

Mr Box said KSBA’s interest was in preserving and enhancing the quality of life of people who live around Sandgate.

“There’s a lot of research now that shows if you live in an attractive place you feel better so we would be arguing for green corridors for people to exercise and enjoy and to allow, where possible, animals to come in where people live.

“A neighbourhood plan is a way of perhaps people thinking differently on how they might consider the different objectives (of development and preservation).”

Einbunpin Lagoon in Sandgate. Picture: Renee McKeown

Cr Cassidy said being involved in the plan process “is a good opportunity for people to help shape the planning decisions at a council level, happening here in our local community.

“This will give people ownership of the process, but we must work to ensure that Council does listen to the community, rather than paying lip service and adopting a plan they want.”

The Sandgate and Districts Neighbourhood Plan (formerly known as a Local Area Plan) was first published in 1995.

Cr Bourke said the announcement of the new plan was a direct result of ongoing dialogue with the Sandgate business community, including the Chamber of Commerce.

“Sandgate is one of Brisbane’s picturesque bayside towns, loved by locals and visitors from far and wide for its scenic foreshore, unique character and the iconic Shorncliffe Pier,’ Cr Bourke said.

“This process will identify future opportunities to revitalise the local economy and support small business so it continues to thrive in Sandgate, realising the many economic and tourism opportunities available.”