Mt Gravatt East townhouse development plans squashed

People power has won out in a six-month battle to prevent a controversial 32-townhouse development in southern Brisbane. But while residents played their part, it was a generous move by Brisbane City Council that eventually killed the project off.

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

PEOPLE power has won out with Brisbane City Council stepping up to buy land that a developer had earmarked for 32 townhouses.

For the past six months Mt Gravatt East residents have campaigned tirelessly to have their concerns heard, even before an application has been lodged with council.

And today local residents have breathed a sigh of relief at the announcement their neighbourhood will remain intact.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said 68 Carrara St and 8 Nurran St would be purchased through Brisbane City Council’s Bushland Acquisition Program.

There has been backlash over the proposed Mt Gravatt East townhouse development which the developer hasn't even submitted a development application to Brisbane City Council.

Once purchased, council will revegetate this land with a range of plants, including fast-growing eucalypt.

Mt Gravatt East Townhouse Development Action Group spokesman Mark Winters couldn’t hide his excitement when he spoke to the Southern Star.

“We won,” he said.

Mt Gravatt East locals have worked hard to fight this.

“A lot of this wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the Southern Star,” fellow campaigner Tanya Barker added.

“We feel light-headed — we knew it was a possible outcome but to have this happen now is amazing.

“It is a win for people power.

“I don’t care what the motive is for BCC, they have come to the party for us.

“They don’t know the stress we’ve all been under — it’s been a long road.

“It’s been a team effort.”

A koala that used to live in the area before the blocks were cleared.

Cr Quirk said the blocks would add to more than 400ha of native bushland that had already been purchased by council over the past two years.

“In 2016 I announced that council would fast-track 10 years of bushland purchase into four years, acquiring 750 hectares of environmentally significant natural areas as part of our ongoing commitment to keeping Brisbane clean, green and sustainable,” Cr Quirk told the Southern Star.

The site was cleared by the developer and council wasn’t made aware of it till after the fact.

“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.

“This 4320sq m parcel of land sits right in the middle of a koala corridor that runs between Toohey Forest, Whites Hill Reserve and the Mt Gravatt Lookout and will prove invaluable to the local koala population that is known to move through this area.”

The land being cleared.

This parcel of land is not currently listed on State Government Koala mapping.

Councillor Krista Adams (Holland Park ward) said she was disappointed the block had been privately cleared in the first place, however, council’s decision to purchase and revegetate the land would provide safe passage for koalas and other native wildlife into the future.

“Areas of Toohey Forest, Whites Hill Reserve and Belmont Hills were all in private ownership until council proactively purchased the sites, to prevent future development,” Cr Adams said.

A community meeting was held and another planned for December 3.

“Council has a strong record when it comes to protecting our native wildlife, including a comprehensive koala detection program, 4000ha of acquired bushland as well as a koala research centre to understand the genetic diseases these species face.

“High-visibility signs are being rolled out in this area, warning motorists of increased koala activity, and council will install permanent koala zone signage along Pine Mountain Road early next year.

“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 developer has told the Southern Star the BCC should contact his real estate agent Isa Kural from Holland Park Ray White about aquiring the land.