Spring Hill Neighbourhood Plan given go-ahead by Queensland Government despite concerns

BRISBANE City Council’s controversial Spring Hill Neighbourhood Plan has been approved by the State Government amid fury from residents.

Concerns have been raised over the Spring Hill Neighbourhood Plan.

BRISBANE City Council’s controversial Spring Hill Neighbourhood Plan has been approved by the State Government amid fury from residents with the “developer-free-for-all-plan”.

A Council spokesman said approval from the State Government had been received “to adopt the Spring Hill Neighbourhood Plan, which will form the basis for future growth of Spring Hill and ensure it remains a great place to live, work and relax”.

Up until earlier today residents were still hopeful the State would not bow to “pressure to approve” and reconsider the plan.

In a meeting last week with State Planning representatives, the Spring Hill Community Group (SHCG) said they were told the Government was facing pressure to approve the revised plan, an earlier version of which was rejected by the State Government in 2017.

Kirsten Lovejoy from the Spring Hill Community Group has criticised handling of the Spring Hill Neighbourhood Plan.

Community frustration over the Spring Hill plan centres around concerns about lack of protection for the suburb’s heritage and green spaces, as well as adequate setbacks, transitioning and height and scale of developments.

SHCG spokeswoman Kirsten Lovejoy said the “only winners from this new plan will be developers”.

She said the revised plan submitted to the State Government had offered few changes from the original draft which was rejected and required the council to undertake further community consultation.

“Vested interests have been watering down community’s say for years. It is no wonder court is a last resort and an option that is rarely taken up … for locals it feels like a lottery,” Ms Lovejoy said.

The Council spokesman said the State Government did not set any conditions over the plan during its review.

“The plan is expected to be adopted into City Plan during the next session of council.”