Stage 1 of Carseldine Urban Village development gets the green light

The master plan and stage 1 of an urban village on Brisbane’s northside has been approved, much to the disappointment and anger of a local community action group.

An artist impression of Carseldine Urban Village.

THE development application for the master plan and Stage 1 of Carseldine Urban Village has been approved, much to the disappointment and anger of a local community action group.

Stage 1 includes the creation of an entry boulevard into the precinct, on the site of the former QUT campus, and the subdivision of three master lots.

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It also includes intersection upgrades at Zillmere Rd and Dorville Rd, at the Beams Rd and Dorville Rd roundabout, and the Carseldine Station park ’n’ ride entry on Beams Rd.

Construction started on Stage S, the $6.5 million sport and recreation precinct, on November 6 and it is expected to be completed by June 2019, with Stage 1 construction starting soon after.

However today’s announcement came as unwelcome news for the Save our Carseldine (SOC) group.

SOC secretary Chandra Muthu said, “We are disappointed and angry with the short-sighted decision of the government to approve Stage 1 and the master plan of the Carseldine Urban Village.

“It is a slap in the face of the local community, taken with utter disregard to the views of the majority in the community who made numerous submissions and petitions against these ill-conceived plans for the urban village.

An artist impression of the Carseldine Urban Village development.

“Adverse impacts such as worsening traffic congestion, loss of green space and community amenities were not adequately addressed. There are certainly better uses of the sports grounds than building a concrete jungle.

“The overpass solution is not provided adequate land in the plan.”

Mr Muthu said a petition calling on Member for Aspley Bart Mellish to stop the development from progressing had attracted more than 500 signatures.

The group still plans to present the petition to Mr Mellish on November 30.

Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) received 41 submissions during public notification for the Stage 1 and master plan development application.

Mr Mellish said the community identified traffic congestion as a key issue, and the detailed traffic studies recommended the intersection upgrades as part of the project.

“The development will also result in a vibrant village heart including retail and social space, and plenty of new housing, with Stage 1 featuring around 50 terrace homes and a proposed retirement site for different levels of mobility.

“We’re also committed to the ongoing protection of native flora and fauna, and the rehabilitation of Cabbage Tree Creek.

“Thirty new termite and rot proof nesting boxes will be installed in existing bushland, providing shelter for gliders, parrots and bats, while further conservation measures are to be introduced as works progress.”

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Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the approval “follows community engagement and several comprehensive reports, including a traffic impact assessment, stormwater management and ecology report.

“This thorough analysis will ensure the proposed urban village is designed with the needs of residents and the local environment front-of-mind,” Mr Dick said.

EDQ will seek expressions of interest to establish construction partners for Carseldine Village Stage 1 before the end of November 2018.

The Carseldine Urban Village project includes the construction of 900 homes, and commercial and retail space, and is expected to be completed in four stages over four to six years.