Majestic Moreton Bay fig, homestead stand in way of housing estate plans

Logan council is considering the fate of an iconic 100-year-old southside farmhouse and a massive Moreton Bay fig which will have to be removed to make way for a housing estate.

The massive fig tree has a canopy spread of 35m; from the air. Pictures: Contributed

Residents of a southside suburb have united in a bid to stop plans to level an historic farm homestead and axe a 150-year-old tree to build a housing estate.

Developer PacificCorp wants to level the 2ha block at Bahrs Scrub in Logan and subdivide it into 24 low-density lots ranging in size from 362 sqm to 565 sqm.

It also planned to build a 14m wide road to access the estate.

But neighbouring acreage property owners have come out fighting against the plans, which would include removing a 35m wide Moreton Bay fig tree with a trunk 6m across.

The plans involved bulldozing Bahrs Homestead, the first farmhouse built in the area, which was believed to date to about 1860. A row of pine trees would also go.

Residents in nearby Carol St were notified in March and Logan City Council received 39 submissions against the project, with two from one person.

Submissions focused on the destruction of koala habitat, building and intrusion into a waterway and the felling of significant native trees and koala habitat.

The massive Moreton Bay fig tree is likely to be axed to make way for the 24-lot housing estate. Pictures: Contributed/Judith Kerr

Carol St resident Lynette McCauley said planting four saplings, which had been proposed, would not be enough to offset axing the 150-year-old tree.

She called on the council to protect the old tree and farm house.

“It is unbelievable that there is no protection for such a major tree in Logan City Council,” Ms McCauley said.

“With the current climate crisis, it is difficult to understand why there are no current protections in place.

“Much smaller trees are protected in the Brisbane City Council area yet here there is no such protection.

“We understand that housing is required, but (coming) at the total expense of environmental concerns seems like idiocy of the highest order.

“Huge trees like this cannot be offset by the planting of four saplings.”

The Bahrs Scrub area formed a major part of the Logan growth corridor, with housing developments including the 1350-lot Brookhaven estate and other large residential estates such as Haven Park.

Circles show the trees on the site which are earmarked to be cut.

After the submission period, the developer changed the project’s footprint, shifting it further north away from a natural watercourse on the southern boundary of the estate.

The developer also acknowledged that the project would interfere with a koala habitat outside a koala priority area.

It has therefore proposed to provide a “restoration offset” with the planting of new saplings and offered to enter a “deed of variation” for tree clearing.

About 0.6ha of the 2ha site was mapped as containing core koala habitat.

Site survey mapping showed “scattered non-juvenile koala habitat trees” which were overrun by weeds and “ongoing residential land uses”.

In its response to the residents’ submissions, the developer’s town planners Saunders Havill Group said a range of changes provided “a more balanced outcome for the site”.

It said there were new plans to retain a further seven non-juvenile koala trees and five other native trees.

The town planners also acknowledged that because the clearing of many trees could not be “reconciled under the application” it might be necessary to enter into a deed of variation.

The site was assessed for koala use and although there were no direct spottings of koalas, scats (droppings) were found.

Neighbours say the housing estate is not in line with the nature of their street which is all acreage lots and a cul-de-sac. Pictures: Judith Kerr

Saunders Havill defended the removal of the massive Moreton Bay fig.

It said an ecological assessment report, done in line with the council’s guidelines, did not find the tree (Ficus macrophylla) was a listed threatened species.

“Nor has it been identified as vegetation of concern,” the Saunders Havill report said.

“The site was assessed by two ecologists to ensure all vegetation communities and flora and fauna species were recorded.

“Tree number 188 is located in a secondary vegetation management area which does not preclude the removal of vegetation.

“Tree number 188 is also located within a Logan City Council exemption area where clearing can occur for bushfire protection … therefore tree number 188 can be removed as of right in its current state.”

Plans are now with the Logan City Council, which was poised to make a decision.

Originally published as Majestic Moreton Bay fig, homestead stand in way of housing estate plans