Angry objections to proposed Elanora development

Proposals for a new housing development in a Gold Coast suburb have run into a wave of opposition from disgruntled locals, who believe there are two significant problems.

A major new housing development on the Gold Coast is facing fierce opposition with residents claiming the proposal will add to local traffic and see “prime” koala habitat destroyed.

More than 100 submissions have been made in the past week to council about the Elanora development, with the overwhelming number of them being objections.

Residents say there is no infrastructure in place to support the Guineas Creek Road development and that the area is well known for its wildlife, particularly koalas.

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A koala sign next to the proposed site. Picture: supplied

But an ecological assessment commissioned by the developer, Ritz Group, found just one koala and that the 109,200m2 site was an “unlikely habitat for many species”.

Ritz Group has been contacted for comment.

The group, which delivers “small boutique house and land packages” across southeast Queensland and northern NSW, proposes a 96-multiple dwelling development to be called Ellandra.

The site would be divided into two residential precincts bordered by koala exclusion fences, with the four-bedroom buildings two or three storeys high.

GOLD COAST KOALAS COULD SOON BE EXTINCT

An artist's impression of the Tarrabool Drive precinct. Picture: supplied/ Ellandra

The site also sits on land designated for priority species under the City Plan.

But in an ecological assessment by the group, “no significant flora” was found and one koala was identified as using the site in its home range.

Documents provided to council in 2018 say the site is an “unlikely habitat for many species”.

The development also “proposes to positively contribute to the movement of koalas within the locality by installing koala crossing signage to encourage vehicles to slow down and be more aware of fauna movement in the Elanora area”.

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Precinct A master plan. Picture: supplied

However, Gecko Environment Council campaign co-ordinator Lois Levy slammed the proposal, arguing the land should have been bought by the council years ago under the koala habitat buyback plan.

“We are very concerned because it’s on the last large piece of land with good quality habitat for koalas. They’re seen in there quite regularly,” Ms Levy said.

“It is a continuous site, it’s not broken into smaller pieces. If it goes ahead … there will be very little habitat left. It will push them to the roads.

GOLD COAST KOALA HABITAT CRISIS

Artists impression of some of the buildings. Picture: supplied

“It’s just the fact that koalas are being annihilated by rapid development growth and the three levels of government are doing absolutely nothing.

“Unless we do something, within five years they will be extinct (on the Gold Coast).”

Guineas Creek Road was named a hotspot for koala strikes earlier this year.

Councillor Daphne McDonald said she had received multiple complaints about the proposal, with residents flagging the dwindling koala population as well as an increase in traffic along the bottom of the development as major concerns.

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How some of the houses would look. Picture: supplied

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She said she was yet to meet with officers about the proposal.

On Facebook, Lauren Lugg wrote: “This is insane. This is koala habitat and should be protected. Koalas are sighted on a regular basis not to mention other native fauna.”

Sissel LM said: “Another concern is the fact that M1 accesses (sic) road is already a grind (sic) lock. If you going to allow more development you need to improve a lot of things first!”

In submissions, Wes Jessop, of Elanora, wrote there was not enough infrastructure, the Simpsons Road intersection was already “dangerous”, and that the development would change the feel of the area.

Open space calculation. Picture: supplied

Miami resident Shannon May was concerned the development was “incompatible” with the current zoning, that there was no planned infrastructure upgrades for the proposed entry points and that southern Gold Coast ratepayers wanted to “keep some natural unspoilt land and nurture the wildlife for generations to come”.

Joanne Brierley wrote: “I am a Wildcare member and regularly rescue wildlife crossing from and to this site. It is one of the very few remnant bushland in the area and would be devastating to our wildlife if it developed as planned.”