Mt Gravatt East townhouse development war continues

A community in Brisbane’s south will continue to wage war with a developer looking to build a 29-townhouse development.

A Development Application has been lodged for four properties on Carrara and Nurran Sts in Mt Gravatt East.

A community in Brisbane’s south will continue to wage war with a developer looking to build a 29-townhouse development.

A Development Application was lodged in December and signs were erected this week to mark the start of the submissions period.

Letters for and against the proposed development, which encompasses 6 and 8 Nurran St and 64 and 68 Carrara St, Mt Gravatt East and create a pentagon-shaped area that is almost 7000sq m, can be made until February 4.

Mt Gravatt East residents are rallying to stop a proposed townhouse development. Photo: Kristy Muir

Furious residents are willing to continue their battle to stop the controversial development from destroying the character of their area, according to the Mount Gravatt East Townhouse Development Action Group, which is spearheading the campaign.

A Development Application has been lodged for four properties on Carrara and Nurran Sts in Mt Gravatt East. The proposed 29 townhouse development has already sparked controversy.

Spokesman for the group Mark Winters told the Southern Star residents were angry they had to rally again after a six-month battle resulted in the Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and Councillor Krista Adams (Holland Park ward) declaring they would save Mt Gravatt East backyards by stopping the construction of new apartments and townhouses in neighbourhoods zoned for single homes as part of Brisbane’s Future Blueprint.

“The war has commenced,” Mr Winters said.

The proposed 29-townhouse development has already sparked controversy.

Mr Winters has made a call-to-arms to the local community “we need your very active support and help now”.

On November 29, the Quirk administration vowed to buy two of the four blocks through council’s Bushland Acquisition Program and revegetate the area, which was home to koalas and other native wildlife before the developer cleared the land without council’s knowledge.

Cr Quirk told the Southern Star he had “stepped in to protect two parcels of land” at Carrara and Nurran Streets, Mt Gravatt East.

He said the blocks (68 Carrara St and 8 Nurran St) would be purchased through council’s Bushland Acquisition Program.

A Development Application has been lodged for four properties on Carrara and Nurran Sts in Mt Gravatt East.

Council said once purchased, council would revegetate the land with a range of plants, including fast-growing eucalypt for the koalas displaced when the developer cleared the land after he purchased the properties.

“Council does not support a townhouse development on this site,” a spokeswoman said.

“Negotiations with the landowner of 68 Carrara Street and 8 Nurran Street are ongoing.

“The blocks would add to more than 400ha of native bushland already purchased by council over the past two years.”

Mt Gravatt East residents celebrate their short-lived development win.

Cr Adams said in November 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 Development Application has been lodged for four properties on Carrara and Nurran Sts in Mt Gravatt East.

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

The Southern Star has attempted to get in touch with the developer for comment.

What residents say:

Shane Gordon: What the bloody hell? Why would BCC announce they buying back the land! Objecting to this straight away. Not happy.

Diane Mangan: Absolutely will be objecting.

Frederik Vekeman: Wasn’t Brisbane City Council buying back the land?

Maureen Yeats: Appalling, not one tree or green space of any kind, concrete and lots more heat. hope they all have A/C.

Sheena Turnbull: Everyone must put in objections it’s easy.

Tony Crossley: The fight has restarted. and this time it looks as if the Developers will win …