Plans allowing residential buildings of up to eight storeys are being fast-tracked near Logan Hospital and Griffith University at Meadowbrook, amid fears associated infrastructure isn’t ready for an influx of new residents.
Economic Development Queensland has identified a 35,480sqm site at 35 University Drive as part of a four-site program expected to fast-track more than 5000 homes.
But public documents do not clearly state whether Logan City Council will receive extra funding for surrounding local infrastructure or whether an infrastructure agreement has been finalised.
Councillor Tony Hall, whose division includes Meadowbrook, said his personal view – that may not be supported by council – was that more consultation should have been done before the State Government began fast-tracking the site for housing.
“This state-led land development project will only add to the existing traffic issues on an already constrained road network that both council and I have been working to improve,” Cr Hall said.
He said more work was needed to support safe pedestrian travel near the busy University Drive roundabout and motorway entrance.
A Logan City Council spokesperson said Meadowbrook was a key hub for jobs, health, education and transport and would become more important as the city grew.
“That’s why we need to get development right and make sure it delivers the homes and infrastructure our community needs,” the spokesperson said.
“It’s important this proposal fits our broader plans for Meadowbrook and supports the way we’re growing the area.”
The spokesperson said the declaration of the site as a Provisional Priority Development Area meant EDQ would assess development and deliver shared infrastructure.
“We’ve made it clear that the infrastructure must be delivered to council standards, and any infrastructure charges must come back to council in full,” the spokesperson said.
“If that happens, there will be no cost to ratepayers.
“We have also asked Economic Development Queensland to consider council’s planning scheme when deciding on future applications.
“At the request of Cr Raven and Cr Hall, Economic Development Queensland has agreed to build an acoustic wall along the Motorway to shield locals from noise,” the spokesperson said.
While the State Government controls planning for the site, Logan City Council remains responsible for much of the surrounding local infrastructure, as councils nationally warn state and federal governments are shifting costs onto local communities.
Local Government Association of Queensland research estimates cost-shifting costs Queensland councils $360 million a year.
A federal parliamentary inquiry is examining local government funding and sustainability, including whether councils have sufficient support to maintain services and infrastructure while managing responsibilities imposed by other levels of government.
MyCity Logan contacted Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie three times for comment, but no response was received before publication.
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