Plans to subdivide Birkdale koala habitat fires up residents

Bayside residents are furious at plans to carve up the last “mega lots’’ in their once-idyllic area for a new housing estate. Fifteen homes are planned for the koala ‘priority’ area.

A development application to subdivide two of the last remaining “mega lots’’ in Birkdale into 15 house sites has angered residents.

Birkdale and Wellington Point locals said they were upset the sprawling, 8086 sqm property at 6-8 Pandanus St could be carved up into lots as small as 400 sqm.

The suburbs, once known for strawberry fields and open spaces, have seen relentless housing, retail and commercial development in recent decades.

Birkdale Land Pty Ltd has lodged a DA to create 15 house sites on two adjoining lots with a road frontage of 81m on the cul-de-sac.

The proposed lots would range from 400 sqm to 540 sqm, with a 15m-wide access road also planned.

An existing building and 46 trees would be removed.

The property is zoned Koala Priority Area and low density under the Redlands Council Planning Scheme.

It comes as the State Government pressures Redland City Council — and other southeast Queensland councils — to increase small lot development approvals.

But some baysiders were not happy with the push.

“Greed. It is ridiculous. We live in a beautiful part of the world and it is being destroyed by greed,’’ Karen Rohweder wrote in a submission on the DA.

“No parks for the children or wildlife corridors. These small blocks have no room for a yard with grass for children to play and are a fire hazard when built so close. Units (are) being built without enough car parks.”

Should the development proceed some of the area's last remaining green sapce

Diana Plowman wrote: “With 15 house blocks squeezed onto this site, an access road etc the blocks will be small.

“What is the planning department thinking? What will happen is garages will be used for storage or gym equipment, cars will be parked outside and the narrow roads will look like a parking lot most of the time.

“This whole area of Wellington Point, Birkdale is at saturation point with schools. Again poor planning.’’

A division proposal plan shows majority of access from planned new road.

Rowena Plant wrote: “Clearly the council would like a bit more cash in their pockets, so if you can build two houses on a block you get two lots of rates.

“Dorsal Drive had a group of apartments in the prime spot overlooking the Bay.

“They are the tiniest little places and all of their cars plus the cars from the back of the building now permanently reside on the street, on both sides.”

And Pete wrote: “Dividing up a lot to this extent should not be happening.”

However, the DA documents said the proposed changes would be in keeping with the surrounds.

“The planning framework intends to facilitate a variety of lot sizes and typologies within

a locality, enabling housing choice and affordability throughout the Redland City Council

local government area,” the DA stated.

“The proposal provides lots with areas between 400 sqm and 540 sqm, complying with the minimum lot size of 400 sqm for land in the Low Density Residential Zone, as per the requirements of the Redland City Plan 2018.

“The proposed subdivision complements the streetscape, local context and character of the

locality.

“There are numerous examples of similar sized sites, along with battle axe or rear lot designs, particularly to the east and south.”