COUNCIL has made a major mistake in proposing to sell off part of Moore’s Farm at Weinam Creek for development, says former councillor and MP Peter Dowling.
Moore’s Farm is part of land tied to the Weinam Creek ferry terminal redevelopment planned by Redland City Council which is aimed at supplying parking, waterfront access and refurbishing the transport hub.
To ameliorate development costs, council has put a 1 hectare of the site up for sale, advertising it as an “ideal opportunity for residential development”.
Mr Dowling said the Moore family – who had previously proposed to develop the site but had its ideas wound back by council – would feel sorely done by.
He said the block was subject to overland flows and should remain part of the redevelopment. Instead it was likely to be home for about 500 people whose cars would add to already over-loaded local roads.
“I expect people will be up in arms when they buy there and then find they are backing on to a car park,” he said.
A council spokesperson said an application was made in 2006 for about half the land to be subdivided but no council decision was made.
Work proposed by council and Redland Investment Corporation would allow development on the property fringes and would not raise flood levels. The car park component was lower than the residential lots and did not require flood immunity.
“Once the ferry precinct car park works are complete, there will be an increased number of parking bays available in this area,” she said. “Some of the Moores Road car parking bays will then be converted to boat trailer parking.”
A foot bridge will be built across the creek mouth to shorten the distance to the terminal.
Mr Dowling accused the council of a lack of foresight and planning, especially in relation to island issues relating to terminal access and parking which would only grow worse.
He said few people would be happy with how far they would have to walk to park their cars, especially the elderly or infirm.
Mr Dowling said the area should remain a transport hub, with parking, boat ramps, boat racking and stacking and public access to the foreshore.
“This decision will go down as one of this council’s big mistakes,” he said. “It’s just like when I was there and we did not get up the Greg Norman golf course proposal. That was a big mistake we made.”
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