Cranbrook residents raise numerous concerns about social housing project

A new social housing project has caught Townsville residents by surprise, causing ‘fear, angst, genuine anxiety, frustration and in some cases tears’. See where it will go.

Cranbrook resident Penny Peever and numerous residents have raised concerns with Mundingburra MP Les Walker about social housing project planned for 515-517 Ross River Rd, Cranbrook. Picture: Supplied.

The surprise discovery of a social housing project in their suburban “oasis” has sent a wave of concern and anxiety through Cranbrook residents, who have demanded better communication and transparency around the proposal.

A three-bedroom house is currently being demolished on a massive 2322 sqm block surrounded by thick vegetation, which connects between Ross River Rd and Wattle St.

CoreLogic property data reveals it was purchased by Queensland’s Department of Housing for $670,000 in November 2023, before settling in April 2024.

Neighbouring Serrano Cres resident Barry Davies said his family’s dream of living in a quiet little oasis encompassing the dog leg area of Wattle St for the past 24 years was now under threat.

Through a phone inquiry to the demolisher, he discovered their customer was QBuild, who was clearing the way for what was understood to be between 10 to 40 units of public housing.

515-517 Ross River Rd, Cranbrook, could be the site of a future social housing project. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Davies and other concerned residents contacted Mundingburra MP Les Walker last week, highlighting the lack of consultation, fears for safety and a rise in the local crime rate, increased traffic noise, loss of property values, and that this was the third public housing development within 300m.

“Whilst everyone is sympathetic and recognises the need for more public housing, we feel the area is being saturated with public housing and the lack of consultation and any definite plans has created a lot of fear, angst, genuine anxiety, frustration and in some cases tears,” Mr Davies said.

Demolition works are underway at 515-517 Ross River Rd, Cranbrook. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Mr Walker responded by letterbox dropping houses in the area promoting a “Street Meeting” on Saturday, where a crowd of about 50 residents gathered to articulate their concerns.

The Mundingburra MP said he was following up the relevant State Government Department, and looking into community concerns around housing density numbers, Wattle St access, if masonry block fencing would surround the property, and whether it would have an architecturally pleasing design.

Correspondence dropped into Cranbrook letterboxes by Mundingburra MP Les Walker. Picture: Supplied.

Meeting attendee Penny Peever said the “secret squirrel attitude around this development had over 100 residents very concerned and anxious”, and that “consultation was the key”.

She sought more details about the scope of the development, how many more residents, the demographic of the future residents, the impact on current infrastructure, parking, access, drainage, soundproofing, and if other pieces of land had been bought by the Department of Housing in the immediate vicinity.

Cranbrook resident Penny Peever has raised multiple concerns about social housing project planned for 515-517 Ross River Rd, Cranbrook. Picture: Supplied.

“Respect for the feelings and lifestyle of the current residents needs to be at the forefront of the Department of Housing’s collective mind,” Ms Peever said.

“The Department of Housing needs to release the statistics around the financial, criminal, security, mental health and lifestyle impact of these high density complexes on the existing residents.”

Cranbrook resident Sue Knight said her three core issues were that Department of Housing policies and procedures were inept for the management of public housing tenants, that there was a lack of quantitative guidelines in relation to distancing of medium to high density public housing, and the “complete lack of consultation”.

Concerned residents speak with Mundingburra MP Les Walker at the site of a future social housing project in Cranbrook. Picture: Supplied.

“We have a housing affordability crisis, with genuine people in dire need of social housing, but until the state can overhaul it’s management of these tenancies, there will continue to be concern and pushback from the communities they can affect – which is anywhere and everywhere,” Ms Knight said.

Another resident, who didn’t wish to be named, called for greater transparency about the project.

She was worried about a potential decrease in property values for those living close to housing commission developments, decreased safety and increased crime, an increase in pollution (including dumped needles), traffic, anti-social behaviour, unemployed and drug addicted residents.

Residents don’t want social housing to have access to Wattle St. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Council and state government respond to social housing project

A Townsville City Council spokesman said the property located at 515-517 Ross River Road was owned by the Department of Housing who have not applied for, and in accordance with the provisions in the Planning Act 2016 and the Planning Regulation 2017, do not require development approval from the local government for residential developments defined as “public housing”.

“Council encourages residents to engage with the State Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning & Public Works regarding the site,” the spokesman said.

Mr Walker said Townsville needed more housing and everyone deserves access to somewhere to live.

Mundingburra MP Les Walker said the community would be informed about a social housing project at 515 Ross River Rd. Picture: Supplied.

“This project on Ross River Road is still at a feasibility stage. I called a community meeting at the weekend to hear from the community directly and I will provide that feedback to the Department of Housing,” Mr Walker said.

“I will keep the community informed and I expect the Department of Housing to as well.”

Originally published as Cranbrook residents raise numerous concerns about social housing project