Brisbane Council vote to stop Nathan housing development
A community on Brisbane’s southside is celebrating tonight after council refused a massive development which would have doubled their suburb’s population.
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A community on Brisbane’s southside is celebrating after council refused a massive housing development project which would have more than doubled the population of their quaint suburb.
This afternoon Brisbane City Council voted to reject 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, since the development application was lodged with council in 2017.
Nathan Action Group spokesman Blake Buchanan said he feared the fight was not over yet and residents would remain on guard until the developer gave up.
“The community is delighted council has refused the application,” he said.
“NAG has fought the project because of the density, flood and bushfire risk and as it did not meet the Brisbane City Plan over all.
“We are pleased council is sticking to its word and their own Brisbane’s Future Blueprint.
“NAG is aware this fight may not be over. But we’re in it for the long haul.
“We would appreciate the developer contacting us to engage in suitable discussions with the community.”
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.”
ALP Councillor Steve Griffiths (Moorooka ward) told the Southern Star he was pleased with the decision.
“It is unbelievable that (the LNP led) council has taken over a year to reject this development application when it was so obvious the site was not suitable for 540 units let alone 750 units (which was lodged by the developer in late 2018),” he said.
“The community, the Nathan Action Group and myself have fought tirelessly to stop this overdevelopment.
“Congratulations to NAG and the residents of Nathan.
“Residents should be vigilant as this council administration are known to backflip on decisions when they are challenged in court.”
The developer has been contacted for comment.
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