The state government has been forced to correct an error that could have doubled the density in a controversial planned community in Brisbane's north-west.
But the government's retraction of its original decision has not stopped the political blame game surrounding the Cedar Woods development at Upper Kedron.
The draft Ferny Grove-Upper Kedron Neighbourhood Plan includes the Cedar Woods development, which has been controversial since it was first proposed in June 2014.
At a council meeting earlier this month, city planning chairman Julian Simmonds accused state government minister Kate Jones of being secretive and going behind the community's back as the state review of the draft neighbourhood plan called for an increase in housing density - something Ms Jones had campaigned against in 2015.
Cr Simmonds said the state government changes, outlined in a letter received by the council on April 20, directed the council to increase housing density by 50 per cent, increasing the number of new homes from 980 to around 1500.
Letters from the state government to the council, sighted by Fairfax Media, did not state an exact number for the increase of density or lots at the site.
The letter included several directives including the Cedar Creek south diverse sub-precinct area to be amended, and also removed text and replaced it with the stipulation that "development for housing diversity is based on a pattern that provides for a mix of dwelling types".
The council argued it was the second change that effectively removed the specified density from the draft neighbourhood plan, which meant the density reverted back to the regional plan guidelines.
According to the SEQ Regional Plan 2009, new residential developments in development areas should achieve a minimum dwelling yield of 15 dwellings per hectare.
The council was quick to object to the changes the state government imposed on the area and councillor Steven Toomey (The Gap) started an e-petition rejecting the state government's changes to the draft neighbourhood plan.
To date, the e-petition has attracted 454 signatures.
On May 18, Ms Trad wrote again to Cr Simmonds.
"I have decided to remake my decision," she said in the letter.
"In my reassessment of the proposed amendment, I have concluded that the only matter requiring direction in order to satisfy the SPP (State Planning Policy) and SEQRP (South East Queensland Regional Plan) relates to bushfire hazard. I am also requiring that a minor technical error be corrected."
The letter stated the conditions relating to extent and development provisions within the Cedar Creek diverse housing sub-precinct be removed.
"To remove any doubt...my position is that the density and yield envisaged for the site is a matter for the council to determine," Ms Trad wrote in the letter.
"It is my clear intention that this should result in no increase to the density or yield provided for on the site put forward by the council in the proposed amendment."
Cr Toomey said the state government's reversal of its previous direction to increase density was a win for the community.
"Clearly the local state MP Kate Jones had not previously relayed community concerns about development on this site, but the minister had now heard our community voice and I thank her for this," he said.
"This confirms the state government knows it got this wrong, this is excellent news for local residents."
Ms Trad said decision to lower the densities was made following a meeting with Ms Jones and Member for Ferny Grove Mark Furner and community groups.
"This shows the Palaszczuk Government's commitment to ensuring the community can have their say in local planning, especially where sensitive issues like National Parks are involved.
"As with all draft neighbourhood plans, I now expect council to thoroughly consult with the community to ensure it reflects good planning outcomes and the views of local residents."
The council is still required to perform further bushfire analysis before the draft plan can be put to the public for consultation.
The e-petition will be presented to the council for consideration on Tuesday.
Cedar Woods timeline
June 2014 - The Cedar Woods development application was lodged and proposed 1349 residential lots and one mixed used commercial lots to be delivered over a 10 year period. Less than 10 dwellings per hectare were proposed and 91 hectares of the site was to be given to the council as green space.
December 9, 2014 - The council approved the development with a reduced yield of 980 lots per hectare, a 27 per cent reduction in lots.
January, 2015 - At the state election, Kate Jones was fighting to reclaim the seat of Ashgrove and the Cedar Woods development was the focus of one of her key election promises. Election material distributed by Ms Jones said if she was re-elected at the January 31 election, her first act would be for the Queensland government to use its call in powers to re-assess the Cedar Woods development. Ms Jones successfully won the seat of Ashgrove in 2015.
April 24, 2015 - Deputy Premier Jackie Trad called in the project to review the development application. The call-in notice said the state government would consider the proposed development and how the approval from council could impact on the perception of an efficient, effective and accountable planning and development assessment system.
July 31, 2015 - The state government issued their decision notice in which it awarded preliminary approval in part and approved the development permit for reconfiguring a lot for Stage 1 in part, both subject to conditions, and refused the development permit for reconfiguring a lot for Stage 2.
August 7, 2015 - As part of the approval, Ms Trad wrote to Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and requested the council amend the Ferny Grove-Upper Kedron Neighbourhood Plan to determine appropriate planning and development outcomes for the site. The existing neighbourhood plan was first adopted in 2007.
January, 2017 - The newly developed draft neighbourhood plan was sent to the state government.
April 20, 2017 - The council received a response to the draft neighbourhood plan from the minister which included changes that resulted in an increase of housing density within the Cedar Woods development.
May 9, 2017 - Council planning chairman Julian Simmonds accused Kate Jones of being secretive about the state government's order to increase housing density at Cedar Woods.
May 17, 2017 - Councillor Steven Toomey started an e-petition objecting to the state government changed surrounding density.
May 18, 2017 - Ms Trad wrote to Cr Simmonds to say she remade her decision in regards to the draft city plan and removed directives that would alter the density within the precinct.
