Revealed: Residents at Ecovillage see red about retail development on their green doorstep

A Gold Coast hinterland residential estate is in a brawl with developers and council about a new shopping centre. FULL DETAILS >>>

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A PEACEFUL Gold Coast hinterland residential estate, renowned for winning international environmental awards, is in a brawl with developers and council about a new shopping centre.

The Bulletin has learned about 100 residents at Ecovillage at Currumbin have signed a petition protesting against a development application for a convenience store and office suites.

Some of the signage at the Ecovillage at Currumbin on the Gold Coast where residents oppose a development application for shops.

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Plans show the site is on a lot which includes a recently approved preschool, and the development will create a new road and car parking area.

But residents have contacted the Bulletin, fearing the code assessable application will be ticked off internally by council planning officers.

Area councillor Gail O’Neill, after meeting with them, has promised their concerns will be addressed and there was an option for councillors to debate them at committee.

Signs at the Ecovillage at Currumbin on the Gold Coast where residents oppose a shopping centre development.

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Ecovillage resident Karen Collins said there was support for the village centre to be finished under a masterplan, but many owners were concerned about “creep” as more shops and buildings were planned.

The new commercial precinct will require town water connection which “goes against the ethos of our sustainable development” given the village was “100 per cent water sufficient”.

“Many residents are very concerned that this and past development has gone beyond the original master plan for the commercial precinct,” Ms Collins said.

Updated plans for a development application for the Ecovillage at Currumbin on the Gold Coast.

“Already we have noise complaints, bottleneck of traffic, many hazardous near misses, dangerous parking areas, as well as more traffic on private roads creating a busier atmosphere overall. Our resident kangaroos are in jeopardy also as they use these areas for family gatherings, eating areas. The impact on storm water could be very problematic and our majestic iconic fig tree may be lost.”

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Residents had ensured native flora and fauna was returned to the rural valley during last 15 years due to tree planting and the exclusion of dogs and cats.

Plans for a retail and office centre at the Ecovillage at Currumbin on the Gold Coast.

“This could change if additional buildings are allowed. The landscape plan submitted does not have any native species and uses mainly exotic plant species. The wider Currumbin Valley residents are also upset that they have been told they cannot access their Village Square,” Ms Collins said.

Private planners have lodged extensive traffic and environmental reports with council which say the planned car parking provisions are adequate to cater for the increased demands and monitoring showed the increase in traffic will be “negligible”.

“Since the lodgement of the original preliminary approval a number of conditions and plans have been amended however the general intent of the preliminary approval has not changed,” a report said.

Overflow of traffic at the Ecovillage at Currumbin on the Gold Coast.

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“Currently there is a car parking masterplan that forms part of the approved Currumbin Valley Ecovillage masterplan. The car parking masterplan allows for 122 car parking spaces, 17 of which are to be allocated to the proposed development. These car parking spaces are approved for cross utilisation for different elements of the masterplan.”

Cr O’Neill confirmed she and council planning officers met with representatives of residents of Ecovillage to listen to their concerns about the code assessable application.

Kangaroo and her joey at the Currumbin Ecovillage.

“The application is still in the assessment stage and the application needs to be assessed against the preliminary approval for the Ecovillage site and with regard to the City Plan,” Cr O’Neill said.

“Even though this application is code assessable all submissions from the residents will be taken into consideration by the assessing planners. It is not usual for code assessable applications to go to committee but this can be an option.”

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