Brisbane City Council to refuse Nathan development plans
A controversial residential development application on Brisbane’s southside was refused by council today. The plans would’ve seen the suburb’s population more than double in size.
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A CONTROVERSIAL residential development application on Brisbane’s southside was refused by council today
This morning Brisbane City Council planning committee members met to vote on the development application lodged for 750 dwellings to be built at 53 Fairlawn St, Nathan.
Residents have been fighting to stop the project, on the industrial block, which would more than double their quaint suburb’s population.
City Planning Chairman Matthew Bourke said a development application was lodged on June 20, 2017, for the site where a vehicle distribution centre, warehouses and offices currently operate.
“The applicant sought a 10-year period to redevelop the 68,910sq m site for residential purposes,” Cr Bourke said.
“Council had several concerns about the applicant’s proposal including it being inconsistent with the character of the local area and the site being prone to flooding.
“As the site’s only street access point is prone to flooding Council was concerned the evacuation risk for some residents would be too high.
“Further, the proposed development sought an outcome inconsistent with the character of the local area.
“Council is committed to resident safety as well as maintaining the surrounding low-density scale of the area, so does not support approval of the applicant’s proposal.”
Nathan Action Group spokesman Blake Buchanan said the fight was not over yet and residents would remain on guard.
“This is a small win for the community,” he said.
“It seems the (LNP administration) council is finally listening to the community and understanding that safety and neighbourhood planning should be number one, not development.
“It seems the (LNP administration) council is finally listening to the community and understanding that safety and neighbourhood planning should be number one, not development.”
Cr Bourke said residents had been vocal about their concerns during the assessment period with 140 submissions objecting the proposal received.
“The site proposed a low-medium density residential zone development, with about 750 units and building heights between two and four storeys,” he said.
“The surrounding area is characterised by one to two-storey homes and also adjoins several non-residential uses including the Nathan Ambulance Station and the Salisbury Hotel,” he said.
“Council is committed to protecting existing industrial land from inappropriate uses and improving the infrastructure and services to industrial precincts.
“We have a limited supply of industry land which is in strong demand from both industrial and non-industrial uses and it is important that we protect land in all of Brisbane’s industrial zones as part of Council’s overall strategy for building our local economy.”
Local councillor Steve Griffiths (Moorooka ward) who has been campaigning alongside residents to stop this project told the Southern Star residents needed to “remain vigilant”.
“This is a win for residents of Nathan and their hard-fought campaign,” Cr Griffiths said.
“It is just commonsense — the extent of this development is ridiculous — 750 units.”
The developer has been contacted for comment.
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