Nathan residents ready for ‘drawn-out’ court battle

Residents are preparing themselves for a lengthy court battle to stop a massive housing development on Brisbane’s southside from going ahead.

Josh Wood with his son Jack with MP Peter Russo, councillor Steve Griffiths and Nathan residents with Toohey Forest behind them. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

RESIDENTS are preparing themselves for a drawn-out court battle to stop a massive housing development on Brisbane’s southside from going ahead.

Thirteen Nathan locals will sit in on negotiations between Brisbane City Council and the appellant Thomson Geer Lawyers on behalf of owners of 53 Fairlawn St, Southway Services No 2 Pty Ltd, in the Planning and Environment Court.

SUBSCRIBE TO SOUTHERN STAR & THE COURIER MAIL: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR FIRST 12 WEEKS

53 Fairlawn St, Nathan.

In February, council unanimously voted to refuse the 750-dwelling project which was strongly opposed by residents because it would see the site rezoned from industrial to residential so that apartments, townhouses and a retirement precinct with heights of up to four-storeys could be built.

The Fairlawn St site. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

On March 22, a Notice of Appeal was lodge with the Planning and Environment Court but no date has been set for the case to be heard.

Annamarie Newton is one of the Nathan residents who wanted a “seat at the table” to be kept in the loop about what was happening.

Cr Steve Griffiths, Nathan Action Group spokesman Blake Buchanan and Annamarie Newton at 53 Fairlawn Street, Nathan. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

Ms Newton, who will be there as an “independent resident”, said she expected a “lengthy wait” for the matter to be heard and queried whether next year’s Brisbane City Council election would affect the time frame.

“We all know the (court) wheels turn slowly,” she said.

“I would be shocked if the court process moved at lightning speed and it was sorted in the next six months.”

The Fairlawn St, Nathan site. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

Ms Newton said she was disappointed there had only been radio silence from the land owners during the already long development fight.

“If they’d been bothered to speak to the community we might have been able to reach a compromise,” she said.

A Brisbane City Council spokeswoman said people had the “legal right to appeal any development decision” made by council.

“Hearing dates are decided by the court, not council,” she said. Council will be defending its decision to refuse the proposed development at 53 Fairlawn Street, Nathan.

53 Fairlawn St, Nathan. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

Council had several concerns about the project including it being inconsistent with the character of the local area and the site being prone to flooding.

Residents also noted the density, traffic management and parking as their main issues.

The developer has been contacted for comment.

Nathan residents are fighting a proposal for a massive townhouse/unit development in their quaint suburb. Photo: Kristy Muir