Mt Gravatt East development win for residents and wildlife

A controversial townhouse development on Brisbane’s southside has been stopped thanks to a three-month Council plan that has finally come to fruition, much to the joy of locals.

After a three-month wait Brisbane City Council has finalised its purchase of land earmarked for a controversial townhouse development on Brisbane’s southside.

Today, council has announced two of four adjoining blocks on Carrara and Nurran Sts in Mt Gravatt East, which are situated in the middle of a koala corridor, have been bought as part of its Bushland Acquisition Program.

And a third piece of land, with a house on it, has also been purchased by council but it will be sold off.

Mt Gravatt East residents have managed to stop a proposed townhouse development. Photo: Kristy Muir

For 10 months, the Mt Gravatt East community has been campaigning to stop the project and in November they all breathed a sigh of relief when the Quirk administration went public about their plans to purchase the land.

TSS PHOTO: Mt Gravatt East residents celebrate their development win.

But residents were not convinced the sale would go ahead, after the Brisbane-based developer lodged plans for the project with council in December.

But speaking with the Southern Star today, Mt Gravatt East Townhouse Development Action Group spokesman Mark Winters said he was glad they had won their David vs Goliath battle.

He said proper rehabilitation of the land was vital as it had been privately cleared by the developer, which consequently resulted in the death of a number of koalas.

A DA was lodged for four properties on Carrara and Nurran Sts in Mt Gravatt East. The proposed 29-townhouse development was not wanted by locals.

“It’s great news for the neighbourhood because we have, hopefully, a bushland reserve which, if replanted, properly, will hopefully attract wildlife back to it.

“ … the best outcome we were hoping for was that the infill blocks would be cut up into 600sq m properties.

Mt Gravatt East residents fought hard to stop the proposed townhouse development. Photo: Kristy Muir

“We are heartened and sincerely impressed by council delivering on their promise to purchase the property and we look forward to meaningful engagement by the BCC and participation in planning the revegetation of the sites.”

Cr Krista Adams (Holland Park ward) said council had reached the agreement with the land owner to buy 6776sq m of low-density residential zoned land including 64 and 68 Carrara St and 8 Nurran St.

A number of koalas died after their homes were destroyed.

She said the dwelling on Nurran St was dilapidated and council would remove it and contribute the lot to the vacant land at 68 Carrara Street for a planting plan that would provide a refuge for local wildlife.

The home at 64 Carrara St is currently tenanted and will be sold.

“It was disappointing the block had been privately cleared as it was not listed on State Government koala mapping,” Cr Krista Adams said.

The proposed 29-townhouse development caused outrage in the community.

“Council’s decision to purchase the blocks of land will allow us to revegetate the land and provide a safe passage for koalas and other native wildlife into the future.

“We will be planting a range of vegetation on this land, including fast-growing eucalypts and wildlife attracting species such as grevilleas.

“All of the land chosen for purchase contributes to the rich tapestry of Brisbane’s ecology, with acquired sites including koala movement corridors, locations with rare and endangered plants and animals or freshwater and wetland habitats.

The land was cleared before a development application was lodged with council.

“While council is committed to enhancing koala corridors, residents also play an important role in protecting our native wildlife by securing pets at night and staying alert when driving at dusk and dawn.”

The purchase of the land will add to more than 400ha of native bushland that had already been purchased by council over the past two years.

A Mt Gravatt East townhouse development flyer.

Mr Winters said: “We are, however, anxious that council proposes to plant quick growing eucalypts when koala food trees take between seven and nine years to mature.

“This just reinforces our anger over the developer clearing 40-year-old gum trees which were koala food trees and council’s impotence to stop it.

There were community meetings to discuss the impact on residents and wildlife in the area.

“We have gained a wonderful, perpetual asset for our neighbourhood.

“But the fight goes on because there are more townhouses planned for nearby Eric Rd at Holland Park.

“This is as bad, if not worse, than our site, because the proposed townhouses are again in the middle of a low-density residential area and aggravated by the fact that there is a childcare centre adjoining the site. Again, it’s surrounded by local access roads.

“We will continue our fight to stop inappropriate townhouse developments in low-density suburbs in the Holland Park ward.”