Residents lose appeals against Tarragindi Bowls Club development

Residents who fought for over a year against the $80 million retirement living complex at a southern Brisbane bowls club have lost their appeal to stop the development.

Residents who fought for more than a year against the $80 million retirement living complex at Tarragindi Bowls Club have lost their appeal to stop the development.

There were three appeals lodged against Brisbane City Council’s approval of the development in January 2018, all of them originally demanding the application be refused.

The Planning and Environment Court approved the RetireAustralia development on Thursday, subject to a number of minor changes agreed between the parties.

The number of dwellings, buildings and the height and scale are unchanged but the approval package does list a large number of small, detailed changes.

They include increasing the setbacks of the bowling green, acoustic window treatments, and changes to the landscaping including removal of a footpath and moving a children’s play area.

Town planner Christopher Gerard Buckley, an expert witness, wrote in an affidavit most of the changes were confined to the northern-most part of the development and some to the western boundary.

He said there was “no discernible change to the development’s footprint”.

An artist’s impression of the $80 million development at Tarragindi Bowls Club

Cr Krista Adams said she was “very happy residents were able to have their say through the court appeal process”.

“Council approved scaled-back plans for the Tarragindi Bowls Club in January 2018 and stood by its decision when it was appealed by local residents,” she said.

“The Court has now handed down its decision and, while the plans essentially remain the same, some minor changes have been made to pedestrian access, landscaping and the window treatment.

“The height and the number of homes proposed for the development remain the same in the Court’s approval.

“This proposal will provide opportunities for residents to age in place, close to their families and friends, while offering a financial boost to a grassroots sporting club.”

Tarragindi Residents’ Alliance president Liza Wieland, who was not an appellant, said she was “extremely disappointed at the outcome”.

“While the courts may have approved the plans, the local residents are still very much opposed to it,” she said.

“We continue to be extremely disappointed that the Lord Mayor and local councillor, Cr Krista Adams, allowed this high rise proposal to be considered at all.”

RetireAustralia Senior Development Manager Angus Spencer said the project would revitalise the Tarragindi Bowls Club, create a new community park and much-needed retirement living options.

“We have welcomed the community’s input into the project which has resulted in some great outcomes and we are committed to the success of the project for everyone involved,” he said.

“A construction timeline has not yet been set, and residents will be directly informed about future project milestones, including commencement of construction.”

He said the company was “here for the long-term and we value our relationship with our neighbours”.