REDLAND councillors have finalised the draft city plan, a critically important document that will drive the level and style of the city’s development for the next decade.
A special council meeting has been called for Tuesday at which councillors will vote on amendments which include concessions in some suburbs to retain larger properties, a move which will impact so-called splitter blocks.
If the vote is carried, the draft plan will go to Planning Minister Jackie Trad for approval within the month.
It seeks to provide greater certainty on environment and hazard mapping, minimum lot sizes, frontage, setback and design outcomes.
It seeks to address weaknesses in the current plan relating to approvals being given when a developer “predominantly’’ meets planning regulations.
It removes the opportunity for multiple dwellings in low density residential zones and increases minimum lot sizes from 350m2 to 400m2 across low density residential zoning (currently Urban Residential).
Changes include reversing the proposal for 400m2 minimum lot size to 2000m2 minimum lot size for hundreds of low density residential properties at Alexandra Hills, Wellington Point and Birkdale and making changes to minimum lot size and frontage in the low-medium density zone from 250m2 to 400m2 and 7.5m to 10m.
Other significant amendments include regulating all vegetation clearing in waterway corridors, extending application environmental overlays to all properties of more than 1000m2 rather than 2000m2, remapping storm tide areas including Raby Bay and Aquatic Paradise and ensuring heritage values are considered and protected in any planning for Commonwealth land at Birkdale.
Mayor Karen Williams said that under Queensland Government provisions, the review document could deal only with the response to submissions, drafting errors or changed planning information.
“Council has responded to feedback from residents who made submissions during the public consultation period,” Cr Williams said.
“The change back from 400m2 low density residential (LDR) to LDR1 (2000m2) for almost 400 properties in Grenaid Court, Mossip Court, Nelson Road and Marlborough Road, Wellington Point; Birdwood and Haig Roads, Birkdale; and Alexandra Court and Hanover Drive, Alexandra Hills acknowledges the strong desire by community to retain larger property areas as a lifestyle choice.
“The amendments still allow diversity of housing in and around our centres, while ensuring minimum lot size and frontages, setbacks and good design outcomes.
“The unique character of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands has been addressed through the Character Residential zoning provisions on the islands.
“The area between Double Jump Road and Bunker Road, Victoria Point, has also been included as an Emerging Community Zone, which now requires structure planning and affords greater protection to existing vegetation.’’
Cr Williams – who leads a council which often divides over development issues – said the draft had been achieved in a spirit of compromise.
“We all agree that each individual councillor will not achieve 100 per cent of what they want but we agreed we have compromised to find the middle ground,’’ she said.
Deputy mayor Wendy Boglary said it was hoped the plan would not only give clarity for development applications but reassure residents that what they valued was protected.
Major questions for councillors were if the plan delivered a sustainable future, if it set strong conditions and outcomes for developers and if sufficient land was zoned appropriately to attract employment opportunities while protecting the environment.
“The draft city plan has been a priority in my life for years as I don’t underestimate the consequences on our Redlands future if we get it wrong,’’ she said.
Cr Boglary said she had booked the Wellington Point Hall on Birkdale Road for 2.30pm Sunday, should residents wish to ask questions about the plan.
Council received more than 5347 submissions on the draft. Of these, 240 were individually drafted, 10 were petitions and the balance were pro-forma.
Councillors hammered out changes at 26 workshops. Once the plan is in place it can be amended only after community consultation.
