Mt Gravatt East residents oppose planned townhouse development on Carrara and Nurran streets

A DEVELOPER’S plans to transform a quiet Brisbane neighbourhood into a busy residential area is being met with fierce opposition before an application is even submitted.

Residents at a community meeting held on June 2 at Mt Gravatt East.

A DEVELOPER has plans to transform a quiet Mt Gravatt East neighbourhood into a busy residential area.

But residents have already expressed “serious concern” about the 32 townhouses planned and are ready to fight them, even before the developer has submitted an application with Brisbane City Council.

A public meeting was held at the weekend and locals have formed an action group to make sure their concerns are heard.

About 100 locals and State Member for Mansfield Corrine McMillan attended the meeting about the plans for the three adjoining properties on Carrara and Nurran streets, which the local developer has purchased.

Trees being cleared on the land at Mt Gravatt East recently.

Mt Gravatt East Townhouse Development Action Group spokesman Mark Winters said locals were upset about the prospect of higher density dwellings in their neighbourhood and that the land had already been cleared without any thought about the wildlife calling the properties home including koalas.

He told the Southern Star he had been in contact with local and state politicians to assist the community in their fight to ensure the development does not drastically change the landscape of the area.

A koala outside one of the houses on Nurran St recently. Photo: Facebook

“As residents and families directly affected by this significant and large-scale development, we believe it is only fair and reasonable that the developer be obliged to consult and meaningfully engage to incorporate genuine, community-focused lifestyle and amenity considerations in any development plans,” Mr Winters wrote in a letter to politicians.

“Local residents have been disempowered, having no opportunity to respond to current and potential neighbourhood issues arising from this development.”

A map of the three adjacent properties purchased by a developer to build townhouses on. Photo: Edited version of Google Maps

Ray White Holland Park elite property and marketing consultant Isa Kural told the Southern Star local businesses were “excited” about the prospect of getting more customers.

He said “modern townhouses” in Mt Gravatt East would give first-home buyers an affordable way to purchase in the area.

“I have had calls from locals supporting this development, stating ‘it’s a great idea’.”

In a letter to local residents on May 31 Mr Kural wrote: “This is a courtesy email to let you and surrounding neighbours know what is proposed for 8 Nurran, 64 Carrara St and 68 Carrara St, Mt Gravatt East.

Residents opposed to the development unite.

“The purchaser is a local developer, he is wanting to get approximately 32x4 bedroom, double lockup (garage) townhouses on the site.

“The townhouses do not require to have traffic come through Nurran St, however, Carrara St will be the major entry and exit point, the plans are still at (the) preliminary stage, once they lodge a development application there are many things they need to do to meet Brisbane City Council code.

A flyer that advertised the public meeting on June 2.

“The site will be designed for the new-age market, families are struggling to afford a home in Holland Park, Mt Gravatt East and surrounding suburbs as prices are extremely high for the average family … the next best thing is a modern four bedroom, two car park townhouse.”

A council spokesman said: “Council has not received any development applications for this site in the past 20 years.”

Following concerns raised by residents, council investigated and determined there were no protected trees located at 8 Nurran Street, 64 Carrara Street or 68 Carrara Street, and all vegetation was removed legally.

Property owners are also able to undertake a limited amount of earthworks without lodging a development application and on this occasion, the owners have not committed any offence.

Ms McMillan attended the public meeting held on Saturday, June 2.

She told the Southern Star she was “impressed with the number of local residents who turned out to express their concerns with the proposed development”.

Land cleared in Mt Gravatt East. Photo: Mt Gravatt East Townhouse Development Action Group

“Like many of the people who attended, I am concerned at the loss of a significant number of trees which comprised a habitat for koalas and other native fauna,” Ms McMillan said.

“I have already contacted the local councillor (Krista Adams) and requested that there be close scrutiny of any further work on the site, and to ensure that the views of the community are taken into account.”

The developer does not wish to make any comments.

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