Clarence Property’s Peter Fahey proposes Brunswick Heads subdivision

A developer says he has taken an “ecologically-led” approach to a 131-lot subdivision after snapping up a North Coast property for $36.3 million.

Clarence Property managing director Peter Fahey says there is high demand for residential lots his company wants to create at Brunswick Heads.

A developer seeking approval for a 131-lot subdivision in Brunswick Heads says his company has taken an “ecologically-led” approach to the site.

Bayside Brunswick director Peter Fahey wants to create 124 residential lots, three medium density lots, a residual lot and three public reserve lots at 15 Torakina Road.

His company is also seeking approval from Byron Shire Council to remove 232 trees from the property, having lodged a development application in late September.

The site has long been earmarked for development; a concept plan was signed off on by the state government in July, 2013.

Mr Fahey’s company purchased the site for $36.3 million earlier this year, according to RP Data.

Bayside Brunswick Pty Ltd has proposed a 131-lot subdivision at 15 Torakina Road in Brunswick Heads.

The company is a subsidiary of Clarence Property, which has been involved in numerous North Coast developments.

Mr Fahey said the proposed residential lot numbers had been reduced and other changes made from an earlier version of a development proposal for the land

Proposed works on the subdivision are estimated to cost about $6.7 million.

“We’ve been looking at that site for a long time and the owners wanted to sell it,” Mr Fahey said.

“We started negotiating last year to try and buy it.”

Mr Fahey said his company consulted with the council to unpick what had led the previous owners’ proposal to stall.

The subdivision footprint has been cut back from 17.3ha to 12.1ha to leave more space for proposed public reserves.

The earlier proposal sought approval for about 148 lots.

Bayside Brunswick Pty Ltd has proposed a 131 lot subdivision at 15 Torakina Road in Brunswick Heads.

“We’ve increased the amount of wallum froglet habitat significantly and changed the roads and changed the drainage and reduced the area of total development,” Mr Fahey said.

“I don’t expect any real issues because the council have been sitting on this project for so long; they just pointed out their issues and as far as I’m aware we’ve satisfied their issues.”

Mr Fahey said there was strong buyer demand for the lots.

He has been told the majority of residents who attended pre-lodgement consultation sessions “wanted to buy a block”.

“Increasing the supply of land is not the only solution to housing affordability, but if you have no increase the prices just skyrocket,” he said.

“All the places we’ve got land are in supply constrained markets.”

He said unlocking more than 100 new blocks in Brunswick Heads would be “a monumental outcome” for the community.

“We try and find an ecology-led solution wherever we can,” he said.

A social impact assessment prepared on behalf of Mr Fahey’s company said the proposed development would “result in positive social impacts via the provision of additional housing supply to meet the needs of the local community”.

The proposal is on public exhibition until November 3.