Arundel Hills Country Club developer’s plan to win over residents

Developers behind a proposed $150m overhaul of the Arundel Hills Country Club want to set the record straight on their plans. See their vision for the Coast’s ‘first true, green subdivision’.

Developers behind a proposed $150m overhaul of a derelict former golf course want to set the record straight on their plans for the “first true, green subdivision on the Gold Coast”.

The new owners of the former Arundel Hills Country Club have spoken publicly for the first time, detailing their in-depth plans for the “green development” named Arundel Estates.

Spokesman and owner Dale Carroll defended several aspects of the masterplan for the 67ha Arundel Place site after it attracted swift community backlash upon release to the public.

Arundel Estates spokesman and developer Dale Carroll with the plans he has for the former Arundel Hills Country Club site. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Mr Carroll said the “very balanced” proposal was a vast improvement on the current dilapidated site, which had been closed off to the public for many years.

“At the moment, it is a closed, privately-owned block of land that nobody is using,” he said.

“Even when it was a golf course, only 300 members were using it.

“Now it is going to be used by tens of thousands of people.”

The masterplan submitted to Gold Coast City Council almost two weeks ago earmarked 32 per cent of the site for low-density detached housing.

Mr Carroll said the remaining 68 per cent flagged for parks, recreation, wetlands and public open space would include a timber boardwalk, playground facilities, public barbecue areas, and yoga platforms.

Arundel Estate's indicative master plan for the former Arundel Hills Country Club site. Picture: supplied

Around 44 per cent of the 67ha site would be gifted to the council and free for the public to use, he said.

The developer said koalas would also be protected under the plan through a dedicated koala sanctuary.

“The feedback we got from the experts was, the site is a shambles (for koalas) at the moment and now it is going to be 10 times better than what it is currently,” Mr Carroll said.

According to a koala habitat report lodged with the council, of the site’s 13.49ha of mapped core koala habitat, a total of 49 per cent (6.65ha) would need to be cleared for the development.

Residents fear the development will harm important koala habitats.

“The majority of the mapped core koala habitat, a total of 51 per cent (6.96ha), will be

avoided by the proposed works and retained by the development within areas of open space, the majority of which will be dedicated to council,” the report stated.

“To ensure compliance with state code 25, the proponent proposes to deliver a combined restoration and financial settlement offset.

“The offset will ensure no net loss of koala habitat occurs as a result of the development.”

If approved by council, Mr Carroll said construction on the development would start as soon as permits were in place.

He estimated it would take two years to complete.

Details for upcoming community meeting

The Arundel Hills Community Association Inc. will hold a community meeting about the proposed Arundel Estates project.

Date: Sunday, April 16

Time: 2pm to 4pm (registrations and barbecue from 1pm)

Address: Arundel State School, 185 Napper Rd, Arundel