The future of Bridgeman Downs revealed in 20 year council plans
Restricted development, interconnected bikeways and protection for koalas: this is how the north Brisbane suburbs plans to cope with population growth over the next 20 years.
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Draft plans for the north Brisbane suburb of Bridgeman Downs reveal how the quiet, bushland suburb may change over the coming years, with detailed descriptions of how development will be restricted, bikeways extended and green spaces protected.
The state government flagged the suburb for future development as part of its Urban Footprint program, an initiative that allows for a supply of land to meet the 2041 projected population growth in Brisbane.
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In response, the Brisbane City Council worked in consultation with the Bridgeman Downs community to develop a vision for the suburb’s future that upheld the values of those who currently reside there.
Three key themes were identified through community discussion: Protecting the environment, maintaining suburban neighbourhoods and servicing the area with additional infrastructure.
Deputy mayor Krista Adams said townhouses and apartments were of key concern to residents during a BCC meeting last week.
“Residents felt that recent housing developments were not consistent with the green and leafy nature of the area,” she said.
“The draft strategy proposes to restrict these types of developments and only allow for freestanding homes on larger suburban lots.”
The council also plans to require all development applications to contain detailed site-based planning and environmental assessments, suggesting developers and property owners may have to undertake restorative plantings and negotiate transferring land back to council ownership in some areas.
“We know urban growth in this area will continue, (so the) council will continue to take action and pull what levers we have available to protect the valued bushland,” Cr Adams said.
Here’s what else residents can expect, should the plans pass the next stage of consultation.
ENVIRONMENT
- Council plans to identify natural habitats, particularly for koalas, and ensure planning controls provide protection.
- Developers will be required to restore waterway corridors.
- Additional signing will be installed to protect wildlife crossings.
- Minimise volume and speed of stormwater run-off into Cabbage Tree Creek, Albany Creek and South Pine River.
- Council plans to partner with community groups to remove weeds and rubbish from waterways.
- More trees to be planted along pathways, particularly in the areas leading to the Metro on Beckett Centre.
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
- Suburban lots are planned for underdeveloped land across the eastern side of Bridgeman Downs.
- Established acreage areas west of Bronson St to stay “largely as they are”.
- Townhouses and apartments restricted from being built in areas set aside for single homes.
- Subdivision of land to provide a minimum average large lot size of 1000m2, or an average small lot size of 700M2.
- New housing to be designed “with views of open, green public spaces to increase community safety”.
GREEN SPACE
- The council plans to investigate locations for recreation parks, particularly north of Albany Creek Rd.
TRANSPORT
- More connection between suburban streets, allowing walkers and cyclists to move more easily through the area which is currently hindered by a large number of cul-de-sacs and dead-end roads.
- The creation of a well-connected local road network that creates convenient and safe movement around the suburb, with road upgrades that include footpaths and on-road bicycle lanes.
The draft strategy is undergoing additional community consultation with the Brisbane City Council.
You can have your say on the draft strategy by 11.59pm Monday 16 November 2020 at the BCC website.