Storms test unit development underway at former bakery site

Recent storms have put flood immunity to the test at development on floodplains in the southeast.

Flooding over Fursden Rd at the Carina bakery site redevelopment.

RECENT storms have tested flood immunity at the redevelopment of the Carina bakery site at Fursden Rd near Bulimba Creek.

Pools of water were reported overflowing from the site onto Fursden Rd after storms last week.

The 5.4ha site at 179-193 Fursden Rd is on a flood plain and adjoins Minnippi Parklands. Frasers Property is developing 197 units and 20 residential lots at the former Goodman Fielder Bakery site.

Council inspected the site after the complaint and said there were no storm water pits on the section of Fursden Rd and an upgrade to the kerb and channel was part of the approval conditions.

Bulimba Creek group B4C catchment manager Wayne Cameron had warned of the impact of filling in the floodplain prior to Council’s approval of the plans.

Mr Cameron was particularly concerned with the amount of fill brought in to raise land levels near Fursden Rd.

In October Mr Cameron told The South-East Advertiser the top third of the development was in a floodway.

“For every one of these floodplains we fill we create problems somewhere else,” Mr Cameron said.

“Council doesn’t seem to be able to assess the cumulative impacts of filling on our floodplains. If we keep filling these floodplains we are going to end up with issues along the line; catchment issues, flooding issues and water quality issues.”

Frasers said the filling and flooding considerations had been extensively modelled and discussed in the development application approved in June.

Neighbouring residents Jennifer Matton and Andrew Scott join B4C catchment manager Wayne Cameron at the Fursden Rd site last year to raise concerns about the development. AAP/Richard Walker

Labor council candidate for Doboy Jo Culshaw reported the flooding after ongoing rain late on January 18 and said the incident raised questions on the development’s approval and plans to clear bush reserve on the site.

Councillor Lisa Atwood (Doboy) said a Rapid Response team inspected the development site after the complaint was reported and subsequently inspected the site on January 21 and 23.

“At no time have Council officers identified any Council compliance issues relating to the development,” Cr Atwood said.

“While no compliance issues have yet been identified, Council is undertaking an audit of the development to ensure the Planning Act or the Environment Protection Act have not been breached.

“Council believes the proposed dwelling on the site will achieve the required floor levels for flood immunity in accordance with the City Plan 2014 and the development approval.

“The proposed dwelling will include an upgrade to the kerb and channel and drainage to manage stormwater on the roadway as there currently are no storm water pits on this section of Fursden Rd.”

Cr Atwood said she drove around low-lying areas of the Doboy ward on the morning of January 18 (before the reported flooding issues at Fursden Rd) following heavy rainfall the night before and saw no significant flooding or damage impacting residents.