Plans to build housing on vacant block near Townsville Airport are closer to reality

As Townsville grapples with a housing shortage, a plan to unlock a dormant block near the airport is gaining momentum.

Deputy Mayor Mark Molachino would like to see housing built on a block next to John Melton Black Drive. Picture: Supplied.

A large block of land near the Townsville Airport is a step closer to being transformed into much-needed housing, decades after the idea was first floated.

78-94 John Melton Black Drive, a 3.91ha land parcel was purchased for $2.42m by Garbutt Developments in November 2014.

But there have been challenges in activating the block, which hinges on overriding Townsville City Council’s planning scheme to develop land zoned as “open space”.

Town planner Brazier Motti has submitted a development application to change the block’s use to include low density residential, medium density residential, and a commercial precinct, which is now under consideration.

The proposal underwent a public notification period between June and July, during which time 12 of the 13 submissions were opposed, citing several negative impacts including reduced amenity, noise, traffic, flooding, and environmental concerns.

Planning is underway to develop a 3.91ha at 78-94 John Melton Black Drive. Picture: TCC.

Future housing could be built at 78-94 John Melton Black Drive. Picture: Google Maps.

Brazier Motti Town Planner Emma Stains countered the objections saying amenity wouldn’t be reduced due to it being a private block of land, that noise mitigation would be in place, and a Trend Ecology report determined there were no areas of very high environmental importance.

Deputy Mayor and Planning and Development Committee chair Mark Molachino shared the residents’ concerns about increased traffic, but was reassured that Peel Street would only be used by the low density residential properties, while the other parts of the block would be accessed from John Melton Black Drive.

Concept images of the housing types proposed for 78-94 John Melton Black Drive. Picture: TCC.

Deputy Mayor Mark Molachino said there had been interest in the block since the 1990s. Picture: Leighton Smith.

“2003 was when the first application came in (for the block) and we’ve seen things like hotels, childcare and residential applications, but no one’s actually ever been able to actually build it,” Cr Molachino said.

“Fingers crossed, they can actually make it stack up and get it built.

“This land has sat empty for so long now so if we can get somebody serious to come in and build it, then we need to find ways to make that happen so we can start getting some more housing stock on the ground.”

The committee voted to refer the development application to the next full meeting of council for a decision.

Originally published as Plans to build housing on vacant block near Townsville Airport are closer to reality