Redland Bay’s Craig McHugh has been left frustrated after a decision by TransLink to move a bus stop to the back of his property was approved by Redland City Council.
Mr McHugh questioned the decision after he was not notified the stop was to be moved from a vacant lot at 67-69 Queen Street to in front of the back left hand corner of his Lindeman Place property.
The homeowner’s concern stems not only from increased noise and intrusion of privacy but also from his view the stop may negatively impact the re-sale value of his home.
“I just think it was completely unfair that we weren't even told about it and the council didn’t even knock on our door and ask,” he said.
“I haven't been told anything, no-one has given me any information, they couldn’t tell me why they couldn’t move it back five metres, or why it had to be moved at all.
“The buses stop and everyone in them can now look straight into our kitchen and plus they stop along the road so the noise transfers up into my house.
“TransLink has only done what council has allowed them to do.
“They have just feverishly gone out and helped out another developer without looking at the impact.”
Mr McHugh raised the decision with council and with councillor Mark Edwards who said he had taken the issue further.
“Councillors can express their views and concerns but ultimately operational matters rest with the officers,” he said.
“In my opinion, more public engagement from TransLink would build a better understanding by the community of how the decision is being made and what are the issues it addresses.
“I have also raised the issues with our state member as TransLink falls within the state umbrella.”
A council spokesperson said the cost of moving the bus stop was incurred by the owner of the lot.
“The vacant lot 67-69 Queen Street Redland Bay is zoned urban residential and has been the subject of an approved application for reconfiguration into two lots,” the spokesperson said.
“The application was code assessable and not impact assessable, and under planning provisions, did not require external consultation.
“The owner and applicant of the property requested the relocation of bus stop infrastructure to allow an access to one of the new proposed lots.
“Translink agreed to the applicant’s proposed move of the bus stop.
“The relocation to TransLink standards was a specified condition in the development approval.
“The relocation, 30m to a location between two street trees and behind the boundary line back fence of 1 and 3 Lindeman Place, did not impact landscaping or existing infrastructure.
“With any relocations done by private parties or developers, it is up to them to notify neighbours or affected properties when they are undertaking any roadside works with their contractors.”
A TransLink spokesperson said the developer of the lot was responsible for informing residents of the change to the stop’s location and they believed this had taken place.
“The bus stop was moved to allow access to the vacant lot for a proposed development,” the spokesperson said.
“As the bus stop relocation was led by a private developer, they are responsible for notifying residents of the change and seeking feedback.
“The developer therefore advised residents in Lindeman Place of the change via a door knock and confirmed that residents did not raise any objections about the relocation of the bus stop.”