Keppel Developments approved for 12 units in Norman Gardens

The approval conditions include the construction of a cul-de-sac at the end of the road, landscaping with locally native trees and the refusal of an electric gate at the front entrance. See the plans.

Renders by Dezign Elements Rockhampton of the 12-unit development approved off College Drive, Norman Gardens for Keppel Developments.

Keppel Developments has been granted approval to build 12 single storey units on vacant land off College Drive in Norman Gardens.

The development application went before the Rockhampton Regional Council meeting on Thursday (April 27) and some discussions were held around the table with council planner Brendan Standen.

270 College Drive, Norman Gardens, where the 12 units will be built.

Bill Ouston and Troy Harry have been in business since 2011 through Keppel Developments, with projects such as Seahaven Yeppoon, The Shoals at Lammermoor Beach, Crestwood at Norman Gardens and Breeze Residential in northern Gracemere under their belts.

Originally their latest development plans included 13 units however this was scaled back to 12.

There will be six dwellings located on each northern and southern side with an internal driveway through the middle.

Renders by Dezign Elements Rockhampton of the 12-unit development approved off College Drive, Norman Gardens for Keppel Developments.

Each dwelling is provided with two on-site carparking spaces with a garage and covered carport and there are a further four on-site visitor car parks.

The 4508 sqm block of land is vacant and has been cleared of vegetation.

In regards to the landscaping, it has been conditioned that landscaping be along the front property boundary and within the street, which would in turn “partially screen the development and integrate with the existing street tree planting regimen on College Drive”.

Renders by Dezign Elements Rockhampton of the 12-unit development approved off College Drive, Norman Gardens for Keppel Developments.

At least 50 per cent of the new plants will need to be a “locally native species with low water dependency”.

The street trees must be selected from a list of nine approved trees and will become the property of council once established.

The electric gate will no longer be installed as part of the development.

A public notification period was held throughout February for the proposal and six properly made submissions were received while a further two were not properly made.

Nearby residents noted concerns around privacy and it was responded that there would be a 1.8 metre high fence along the common boundary and Diploma Street lots, effectively blocking the development from overlooking into their homes.

The units are three-bedroom with two carparking spaces.

Stormwater issues were addressed with a four metre wide easement, which council is satisfied with, and a separate permit will need to be submitted to address stormwater quantity.

A submission was received around the odour from the waste storage area and the developer amended the plans to move it to the north and away from the College Drive dwellings.

The waste storage area must also be screened and provided with cleaning facilities.

The developer will also be required to construct a formal cul-de-sac at the end of College Drive.

The block of land at the back of Norman Gardens earmarked for the unit development.

Some residents raised concerns around increased vehicle traffic, however it has been noted College Drive was originally intended to continued to the northwest through the land that is not yet developed, and an assessment has determined there is sufficient capacity in the local road network to cater for the development.

Submitters also raised concern that an electric gate proposed for the front of the complex “would be too noisy given the frequency it would be required to be opened and closed by residents of the proposed development”.

The approval conditions prohibit an electric gate being installed.

A drawing of the rear of the development.

Councillor Grant Mathers declared a conflict of interest in the matter and left the room for the discussions.

In the approval recommendation, Mr Standen wrote “the proposed development provides housing choice for people seeking to live in low-rise residential development, and also assists in softening housing pressures and by extension providing more affordable housing options for different socio-economic groups.”

The development application was approved by all the sitting councillors.

Originally published as Keppel Developments approved for 12 units in Norman Gardens