What's happening to abandoned Oxenford farmhouse
Amid fears by residents it might be developed, a Gold Coast councillor has revealed what is really going to happen to of a significant patch of greenfield land and an abandoned farmhouse nestled between residential housing on the northern Gold Coast.
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A GOLD Coast councillor has revealed the fate of a significant patch of greenfield land and an abandoned farmhouse nestled between swathes of residential housing on the booming northern Gold Coast.
Gold Coast City Council Division 2 councillor William Owen-Jones has spoken about future plans for the patch of land on Tamborine Oxenford Road, Oxenford after a resident raised concerns the “vacant farmland” would be developed.
“Regatta Waters (West). The City of Gold Coast recently received an email about the fencing that has gone up around the old farmhouse (Tamborine Oxenford Rd, Oxenford),” he wrote on Facebook.
Cr Owen-Jones included a snippet from the email which read: “Many people in my community are very disturbed and upset about the recent cage that has been put around the house on the vacant farmland in Oxenford and do not want it to be taken down. That piece of land is precious and should be full of cows and nature, not new houses or buildings.”
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The councillor responded and said the house had not been occupied for almost a decade and the area had been locked up due to vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
Cr Owen-Jones also provided an update on what the site will ultimately be used for, which will likely be considered a positive outcome by many in the surrounding community.
“The property was acquired by the City for future sporting fields (with a 5-10 year time frame). It will not be used for new residential development, but it will ultimately have two multi-purpose playing fields constructed,” he said.
“The house is due to be demolished in September, and ultimately this higher flood free land will be used for future sporting facilities and car parking.
“In the meantime the good folk from the Coomera River Catchment Group have been helping plant over 40,000 new trees along the kilometre of the Coomera River the property borders.”
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Cr Owen-Jones said future master planning identified several kilometres of footpaths linking the site to the footpath around Cove Lake at Regatta Waters estate.
“The future master planning also identifies several kilometres of additional footpath linking to the existing Regatta Waters footpath around Cove Lake.,” he said.
“No houses (or cows), but in the future lots of green recreational space.”
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It was reported earlier this year the Coast’s greenfield sites were almost exhausted and suburbs in line for high-density developments had been scrapped due to community concerns.
It comes as the city’s population continues to grow at a rapid rate – state government population figures show the Coast is set to have 660,890 residents by the end of this year and 1,076,192 by 2041.
MARCH 26: Councillor facing flak from residents over Oxenford quarry
A CITY councillor finds himself between a rock and a hard place. A quarry has sought expansion in the Gold Coast’s north. William Owen-Jones is accused of bias by some residents – some say for the project, others say strongly against.
“There is no doubt where you stand … you don’t care, you’re failing the representation of the people of Oxenford and Maudsland, and welfare of the people,” a resident told him.
Cr Owen-Jones explained that councillors cannot have a predetermined position while council officers completed assessment of the Oxenford quarry. The resident was provided with his Facebook updates and link to the Office of Independent Assessor (OIA) if he chose to complain.
Cr Cameron Caldwell told a full council meeting on Tuesday that his colleague could make a “balanced contribution” and stay in the chamber. Other councillors agreed.
On the list of “potential conflicts” the next complaint was that Cr Owen-Jones opposed the quarry.
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“The irony of that really illustrates, I think, where Cr Owen-Jones’ representation has been and will continue to be on this matter,” Cr Caldwell said.
The second resident who complained was provided with social media posts and the OIA link.
So all of this escalated, email complaints between various parties – a real quarry blast.
After the dust settles, take a closer look. Is this really caused by council?
How about reflecting on the history of the site? Residents who are either for or against the quarry need to do this before a public meeting with the councillor this weekend.
In 2019, the Bulletin reported that the Nucrush Group had begun community consultation on plans to realign its quarry footprint by 18ha while protecting an extra 7ha of bushland in the northeast corner of land now approved for extraction.
The hinterland quarry is near the Gold Coast Wake Park, where looking east to the green ridges are rooftops, the suburban spread to house the city’s fast-growing population.
The former Newman government approved these resource zones for quarries. The state government regulates the blasting and the dust.
Council is the planning agency as the agreement runs out and the operator seeks an extension.
Officers late last year warned the quarry it was headed for a “refusal”, and the operators pulled expansion plans.
By mid-year, they hope to extend their operation. They have an M1 supply contract.
The two residents complaining, from where they sit, are right to be strongly passionate in their views for or against the quarry.
But a council insider offers this summation for those quick to point the finger of blame. “Nobody wants to listen to what the state and council are responsible for here. It’s complex, and no one wants to listen to the technicalities. It could end up in the planning court, where it will cost a million dollars (to ratepayers),” the insider says.
Your columnist has spoken to Cr Owen-Jones several times about the quarry and his response has been to refer to the volume of updates on his Facebook page.
Perhaps he has rocks in his head for being so informative on such a divisive issue. He will remain in the chamber. I wouldn’t have a clue where he will vote on it.
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