Work set to start on $6.5m recreation precinct in Carseldine

CONSTRUCTION of the $6.5 million ‘Stage S’ of ­Carseldine Urban Village could start within weeks as part of a new master plan for the area.

A new master plan has been released for the Carseldine Urban Village project.

CONSTRUCTION of the $6.5 million ‘Stage S’ of ­Carseldine Urban Village could start within weeks as part of a new master plan for the area.

The new plan for the former QUT campus site was released on Friday and shows the removal of Stage 4 on Dorville Rd, which originally had three to five-storey buildings of residential and mixed use.

‘Stage S’ is for the sport and recreation precinct, expected to open in early 2019, with three new soccer fields with flood lights, volleyball courts, tennis courts, a cricket pitch and practice nets, children’s playground, exercise equipment, barbecues and an off-leash dog park.

The existing sporting fields on Beams Rd would be used in the future construction of mixed and residential use buildings up to eight storeys high.

Member for Aspley Bart Mellish said the new plan was an improvement.

“The new master plan has future development on the east side of the site but not Dorville Rd due to community feedback,” he said.

“It (the west side) is also furthest from the train station. I’m very happy we were able to get those changes.”

This image from the Carseldine Urban Village Queensland Government Development Application shows the different stages of the project.

The Save Our Carseldine group has been fighting the plans for years and secretary Chandra Muthu said the new plans were not good enough.

“We welcome the changes on Dorville Rd but it is the silver lining in a very dark cloud,” he said.

“They’re substituting (Stage S for) an existing field which could have been used for less cost.”

However Baptist Football Queensland vice president Grant Newsome said he couldn’t wait for construction to start on Stage S.

“The fields and facilities we use are in a tired state, and we are so excited about being able to use the new, purpose-built fields,” Mr Newsome said.

“I feel these new facilities are really going to bring new energy to our games and to our competition, and we’re hoping it will encourage more community participation.”

Mr Muthu said the plans would change the character of the suburb.

“I’m a supporter of active living but they’re not providing enough car parks and it’s a big problem,” he said.

“The people living in those multi-level apartments will end up parking in the sporting precinct.

“The sporting field will be closer to the creek with night lighting and it’s a flood prone zone.”

An image from the new master plan for the Carseldine Urban Village development.

The Save Our Carseldine Group also took issue with the lack of planning for the busway and no funding or plans for an overpass over the train line.

The Save Our Carseldine Group also took issue with the lack of planning for the busway and no funding or plans for an overpass over the train line.

Mr Mellish said a feasibility study for the overpass was underway.

“I’ve caught up with (Transport and Main Roads) Minister Bailey and it is still in progress,” he said.

The next step for Carseldine Urban Village is to seek planning approval for Stage 1, which will include a boulevard entrance, and the subdivision of three master lots.

It will also include 200 homes and three intersection upgrades.

The development application for Stage 1 can be viewed on www.dsdmip.qld.gov.au/pda-da-applications or visit www.qld.gov.au/carseldine

For those without computer access the documents will be available to read at two information sessions on June 21 from 6-8pm and June 23 from 10am-noon at Tavernetta Function Centre in Carseldine.