Arundel Hills Country Club: Developer hits back at greenies over koala habitat claims

The developer of Arundel Hills Country Club has come out swinging against greenies, insisting its planned $150m redevelopment won’t harm koalas.

The developer of Arundel Hills Country Club has come out swinging against greenies, insisting its planned $150m redevelopment won’t harm koalas.

The fate of 3Group’s proposed golf course site revamp with a 380-house housing development and sports hub, will be known in early June when Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon must decided whether to greenlight the project.

Ms Scanlon has proposed using her rarely-used “call-in” powers to approve the development, despite it already having been rejected by the Gold Coast City Council in January.

Green group GECKO has strongly opposed the move arguing it will cost the city valuable koala habitat.

But 3Group consortium director Dale Carroll insists the development would not harm the koalas.

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

“There will be no net loss to the koala habitat under the plan we have put to the Gold Coast

City Council and the State Government,” he said.

“What we are proposing allows the koala habitat to be protected and for 70 per cent of the

site, which is currently locked up, to be utilised by the community.

“That means locals being able to walk on the site and enjoy the natural amenities which they

have never been permitted to do because it is privately-owned land.”

The developer has support from A.B. Paterson school and Southport Sharks, with both welcoming plans for more sporting fields and a multipurpose sports facility.

Artist impressions of Arundel Hills Country club redevelopment. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Carroll said 3Group had secured a koala habitat values assessment conducted by Gold Coast-based planning firm Burchills Science and Engineering

The report had provided the developer with ways of building without disrupting the wildlife, he said.

“Under our proposal we want to unlock the land for community use which is contrary to the

argument we are just trying to create an exclusive housing estate,” he said.

“We have been very particular about what type of housing we want to have on the site –

which is very low-density housing.

“We have also gone to considerable lengths to commission reports into how we can protect

and enhance the wildlife corridor on the site.

“The site’s layout has avoided impacts on Koala Habitat where possible by using areas of

the site that have been previously cleared and modified, and where not feasible, these areas

will be rehabilitated to enhance koala habitat and facilitate movements through the site,”

the report said.

The Arundel Hills Country Club redevelopment - GECKO has reproduced a council map showing it is a koala hot spot.

“To ensure compliance with State Code 25, the proponent proposes to deliver a restoration

offset to ensure no net loss of Koala Habitat occurs as a result of the development.

“Additionally, potential impacts on koalas during the construction and clearing phases will be

managed in accordance with a DES approved Koala Management Plan that will be

approved prior to the commencement of works.”

It comes after comments made by GECKO spokeswoman Lois Levy who said the development would “fragment the habitat”.

“The reason for this inappropriate gift is not given. GECKO members do not support this proposal,” Ms Levy wrote, in a submission to Ms Scanlon.

“In considering whether to approve this development our members do not believe it is state government or council’s role to facilitate to the acquisition of core koala habitat for a private school’s sporting facilities.”

Councillor Joe Wilkinson outside the gates to the Arundel Hills Country Club. Picture, John Gass

Mayor Tom Tate said the City was opposed to the redevelopment because the area was designed to have a native wildlife corridor for kangaroos and koalas.

Many people had bought their homes not to play golf but to overlook greenery, he said.

He rejected suggestions the development could provide affordable housing.

“For affordable housing we should look further afield and leave this alone,” he said.

Division councillor Joe Wilkinson has said council’s original rejection “adhered” to the planning scheme: “It was thoroughly investigated at all points and it was found it was not up to scratch.”

Ms Scanlon’s final decision on her call-in – and whether to overturn council’s decision – will be made in early June.