A contentious bid to reclassify a section of land above Carver’s Reach could see it turned into a combined residential and industrial area, despite its current listing as a biodiversity corridor.
As of Thursday last week, 26 objections were lodged to council in response to signs put up around Carver’s Reach declaring the proposed change for 257-386 Green Road, Heritage Park.
Developer Pointcorp wants the land for low density residential, medium impact industry, and an environmental management and conservation area.
The developer’s original application for the development was lodged on August 6, 2019.
In its economic assessment from 2019, Pointcorp argued the development is in keeping with the need to ensure the right services are in place to cater for growth.
The plan’s industrial zoning would align with the Crestmead Industrial Estate, according to the assessment.
Public consultation notices put up around Carver’s Reach requested people’s input for between January 10 to February 22.
Some residents said they are frustrated at not being informed sooner and feel misled by council regarding what the land was going to be used for.
New Carver’s Reach resident Josh Collins said his family moved to the estate on the advice that the land in question held strong environmental significance.
In a submission to council, Mr Collins said council assured him of this in an email dated March 1, 2021.
The email from a Logan City Council officer said: “Carver’s Reach at Park Ridge is bordered to the north, east and west by a biodiversity corridor.
“These corridors allow for the preservation of vegetation while facilitating the safe movement of wildlife. For these reasons, development is severely limited within these corridors.”
Logan City Council did not address the comment made by its officer or answer MyCity Logan’s question about the reclassification process, including how and why the land of high environmental significance is able to be considered for a material change.
Cr Jacob Heremaia would not say whether he endorsed the project until he has heard both sides.
“I’m not trying to be a typical politician, but it’s a complex development application,” he said.
“At this point in time, it is not my role to support it or be against it – that point in time is when it goes to a committee and a vote.”
The other pressing matter for residents like Mr Collins is the impact the proposed development will have on traffic.
The traffic report by Bitzios Consulting has listed roads through Carver’s Reach, including Carver’s Way, as the primary means of getting in and out the potential development until Pointcorp decides to build permanent ones.
The report states this will only cause marginal traffic in the estate.
Bitzios Consulting did not recommend upgrading existing roads or intersections.
Carver’s Reach resident Jayne Hackett said she disagrees.
“The extension of Carvers Way all the way to Green Road to be the main entry point to the new development is a huge concern to us and many of the Carvers Reach Estate residents,” she said.
“This road is already very busy and only half the estate has commenced or finished building, let alone allowing non-local traffic to travel through the estate between Park Ridge Road and Green Road.”
