Master plan reveals 1800 houses to come to Redbank Plains, Ipswich

A master plan submitted to a South East Queensland council has detailed a developer’s vision for a gigantic community of up to 1800 households to be constructed in a booming suburb.

Hardrock Quarry signage in Redbank Plains. Picture: RPS Australia East

A master plan submitted to the Ipswich City Council has revealed an 1800-dwelling community could be constructed in Redbank Plains.

Developer the Trustee for the Vic Cunmer Trust has submitted a preliminary development plan on August 16, involving construction for residential and non-residential uses, open space, community facilities and conservation areas.

The development will be carried out across the 182ha site at the Hardrock Quarry, an elevated land parcel three kilometres west of Springfield Central.

The plan proposes low- and medium-density houses across eight precincts, with a future rail corridor reserved.

Precinct Plan of the Hardrock Quarry, Redbank Plains. Picture: Urbis

Town planner Saunders Havill Group said in an application document the community will comprise approximately 1800 dwellings upon completion.

“While a range of lot sizes and types are encouraged to provide housing choice and diversity of streetscape, development is intended to be predominated by detached dwellings of one to two storeys,” it said.

“Higher density is envisaged around the future train station.”

It also proposed a neighbourhood centre to provide non-residential uses to service the needs of the community.

The plan also included a network of open space infrastructure, involving a district park, multiple neighbourhood parks and other complementary recreation spaces to give each dwelling access generally within a 400m radius.

In the proposed district park, with reference to the historical significance, it will promote the views back to the Brisbane CBD and surrounding areas and use the existing structure to create a community space for education on the science of clouds.

Views from the Hardrock Quarry, Redbank Plains. Picture: RPS Australia East

A discontinued weather radar balloon at the Hardrock Quarry, Redbank Plains. Picture: RPS Australia East

Archaeology and cultural heritage consultant Everick Heritage said in an application material that a registered Aboriginal cultural heritage site was identified within the project area.

The involved site was an artefact scatter.

“It is not possible to determine how many artefacts are at this location,” the consultant noted.

“Under the terms of the ACHA (Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act), if development activities are proposed in this area, agreement must first be reached with the YUP (Yuggera Ugarapul People) over how any impacts to this site should be managed.”

Ecology and environmental consultant 28 South said in another document that the site contained core koala habitat area but did not contain any koala protection area.

“Assessment against State Code 25 (development in South East Queensland koala habitat areas) will be required, as part of a future reconfiguration of lot application,” it noted.

The precinct plan reserved a conservation zone covering the core koala habitat area.

The application was still under assessment by the council.

Originally published as Master plan reveals 1800 houses to come to Redbank Plains, Ipswich