THE Redland City Council’s investment subsidiary has applied to build 13 two-story townhouses on Old Cleveland Road East at Birkdale.
Redland Investment Corporation wants to build the townhouses on 3559 square metres of the 20,209 square metre site.
The area where the townhouses would be located – occupied by uninhabitable housing – is on the corner of Old Cleveland Road East and Randall Road.
The development would comprise of five townhouses with four bedrooms and eight with three bedrooms, each with double lock-up garages.
Council set up the RIC in 2014 to find alternative revenue sources and new business opportunities for council.
RIC chief executive officer Peter Kelley said the proposed development would provide a valuable boost for the economy and community, providing jobs for trades during construction.
“RIC will also engage environmental consultants to undertake a vegetation rehabilitation program which involves planting trees and rejuvenating the remaining 16,650 square metres of land, which will be retained as a conservation area,” Mr Kelley said.
“The rehabilitation of the conservation area will involve the removal of declared pests, weeds and exotic plants to provide an improved koala habitat.”
The RIC said the Koala Action Group had been consulted about the proposed project, including the proposed planting and rehabilitation plans.
Trees would also be planted on vacant council-owned land at 61 McMillan Road, Alexandra Hills and potentially other sites in the area.
The 16,650 square metre conservation area would be transferred back to council next year.
The RIC said the application will be considered and assessed by council.
Construction would start towards the end of this financial year.
An RIC statement said council had transferred the site to the corporation to help revitalise the Birkdale area.
Council transferred the entire 20,209sq m site to RIC in 2016 to help revitalise the Birkdale area.
