Outrage as developer clears trees from Brisbane site

Trent Dalton’s hit book Boy Swallows Universe talks about its tall trees, so when a developer cleared all but one on a site at The Gap, locals were outraged.

Aerial view of The Gap, which is famous for its trees. A developer has cleared all but one tree at a Waterworks Rd site (not shown in this view). Picture: Campbell Scott

The Gap residents have taken to social media after a developer cleared all but one large tree from a new small-lot housing site.

Most homes in the famously leafy inner-west Brisbane suburb, mentioned in Trent Dalton’s hit book Boy Swallows Universe because of its trees, are on about 600 sqm.

But the Adpen project at 1381 Waterworks Rd, diagonally opposite a Council park ‘n ride, will squeeze nine new homes on the 3495sq m site.

The sole existing house, at the rear, will be retained.

Only one, large gum tree in a corner near the footpath has been retained.

Advertising material for the project, called Nature’s Edge, spruiks its proximity to the natural beauty of Brisbane Forest Park.

Council rejected the development application, but Adpen appealed in the Planning & Environment Court.

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Adpen won its appeal last year after the court determined it had addressed Council’s concerns, but imposed conditions including widening the kerb, channel and road in front of the site.

“Council had significant traffic and safety concerns,’’ a spokeswoman said.

“The proposed application failed to provide safe road access, site access for large vehicles including rubbish trucks, or meet the minimum safe stopping distance standards to prevent blind spots.’’

Neighbour Janice Kelly, who has fought the project from the start, said the trees were cleared a few weeks ago.

“Nothing can be done about that, but I am still concerned about the safety of cyclists and motorists who come down that part of Waterworks Rd, at speed around a blind corner,’’ Dr Kelly said.

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Artist's impression of Adpen's Nature's Edge small-lot housing development at Waterworks Rd.

“The nine new blocks will also average less than 240 sqm each and there is no provision for common open space in the plan.’’

Adpen said its Vegetation Management Plans were approved by the court.

“(We had) a qualified arborist on site during clearing operation works,’’ it said in a statement.

“As part of the approval Adpen will be required to, at their cost, locally widen the road in front of the site.

“The properties incorporate green areas, planting of trees and have an outlook to surrounding mountains.’’

A driveway would be built further down the hill, away from the bend in Waterworks Rd.

“We have completed in depth evaluation of the traffic requirements and site distance for the development,’’ Adpen said.

“Due to the new driveway being located further down the hill and now located further away from the bend in the Waterworks Rd, this has resulted in a safer outcome.

“As per our approved design and traffic engineer evaluation, there is a 90m site access site distance, or a 100m stopping site distance.

“This is in excess of requirements for vehicular traffic and cyclists and provides for a safer outcome than the existing driveway.

“This is also a safer exit compared to Dr Kelly’s residence and other neighbouring properties.’’