Plan to slug developers to protect rare heritage home

The Greens have unveiled a radical plan to double developer infrastructure charges, some of which would be used to protect a rare Brisbane heritage home.

Dover Court, at 124 Sherwood Rd, Toowong, is one of the last grand residences in the area but its gardens could be subdivided if it is sold. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

A grand Toowong residence at risk of being subdivided would be bought back under a Greens plan to double infrastructure charges on developers.

Council is refusing to buy Dover Court, which dates to the 1860s and is heritage listed for its sprawling 7036 sqm of (now overgrown) grounds.

Greens candidate for Walter Taylor ward, Michaela Sargent, said Council could afford to buy the 124 Sherwood Rd property, currently for sale through Savills, if it made their “wealthy developer mates’’ pay more for public infrastructure.

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The Greens have proposed doubling the inner-city infrastructure charge of $20,000 for one-bed dwellings, which is currently capped by the State Government.

It would raise charges on two-bed homes to $50,000 and lift charges to $60,000 for three-bed homes (currently capped at $28,000).

But the policy also offered a 50 per cent discount on infrastructure charges for non-profit community housing and public housing, where rent is fixed at a maximum of 30 per cent of income, and a 75 per cent discount for such things as converting old warehouses into residential flats.

“This would raise $305 million every year, which could be used to purchase the (124 Sherwood Rd) land, protect its vegetation and dedicate its heritage-listed building as a community venue,’’ Ms Sargent said.

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House history researcher Magnus Eriksson said even if Dover Court was saved, it would be unfortunate if the grounds were subdivided as its Council heritage listing was specifically because it was a rare example of a Toowong grand acreage residence.

“There were a lot of small working class houses developed in the area but this was built as a grand estate and there are now few of those left,’’ he said.

“If you subdivide the grounds, you lose the significance.’’

Devon Court’s gardens may be overgrown, but residents say they are a haven for wildlife. Picutre: AAP/Richard Walker

Neighbour Florian Hittinger, who has lived near the site for about three years, said it was a haven for cockatoos, kookaburras, bush turkeys and other birds and wildlife.

“I was told there was an elderly man who had been living there for some time, which is why it is run down,’’ he said.

“There are a lot of blocks in this area which could be developed which don’t have anywhere near as much vegetation value.

“It doesn’t make sense, particularly when you consider the bushfires and environmental problems (going on in Australia) to subdivide a block like this.’’

A spokeswoman said last week that Council had no plans to buy the property.

“Council has investigated this parcel of land, and there is no significant native vegetation and it does not form part of a larger ecological corridor link,’’ she said.

“However, the trees are protected under the Natural Area Local Law as significant landscape trees.’’

Ms Sargent said Council had a choice between more highrises and bigger profits for wealthy developers, or better parks, halls and services for local residents.

“Rampant development and densification means public services in areas like Toowong are stretched thin,’’ she said.

“Our roads are congested, our cycleways and footpaths are unsafe, and our green space is rapidly disappearing.

“It’s time Council made developers pay their fair share, and planned for the future instead of constantly paying catch-up.”

State Greens MP for the area, Michael Berkman, said the State Government must lift its “arbitrary’’ cap on infrastructure charges, which limits what councils could charge developers for public infrastructure.

“This one-size-fits-all cap means ratepayers pick up the tab while the property industry pockets big profits,” he said.

“Our plan to make developers pay could fund new parks and community halls across the west side, on disused land like this (124 Sherwood Rd), the former ABC site in Toowong, the former Drift Cafe in Milton and Keating House in Indooroopilly.”