TITANS TOWN
New village near stadium to house thousands
TITANS fans will be able to live and breathe their team at a new $1.2 billion community a stone’s throw from the club’s Robina home ground. Plans for Breakwater show 2000 homes for 3700 residents and the developer hopes to start work in 2019, creating 293 construction jobs.
OLD farm land on the Robina-Merrimac floodplain will become home to a new 3700strong residential community as part of $1.2 billion project planned after the Commonwealth Games.
The Bulletin can reveal the Walker Corporation has submitted plans to the Gold Coast City Council for a 73 hectare master-planned community called Breakwater which it hopes to start building in 2019.
Documents show more than 2000 townhouses and apartments will be built just west of the city’s planned Green Heart Parklands, fronting lakes northwest of the Titans’ homeground Cbus Stadium and Mudgeeraba Creek.
The northern section of the land parcel next to the Pacific Motorway includes vegetated waterways and a large slice of parkland behind All Saints Anglican School as the developer aims to unlock 50 hectares of public open space.
Walker Corporation Queensland general manager Peter Saba said: “Breakwater is set to deliver numerous benefits to both existing and future residents in MerrimacRobina while addressing housing availability on the Gold Coast.
“Projections show the city is expected to add 351,000 residents between 2011 and 2036 resulting in a requirement for 177,800 homes.”
A Bulletin report last month detailed how land prices had increased by almost 100 per cent in 10 years as the supply shortens and population increases.
Mr Saba said the planned increase in dwelling density was in-line with the objectives of the City Plan and the broader South East Queensland Regional Plan.
The site has approval for 511 new houses and eight storey buildings The developer plans to keep to that height level and build above the flood levels.
“It makes sense to provide new housing near existing infrastructure in established, employment-rich areas like Robina where people can live, work, study and socialise within their neighbourhood instead of moving to ‘fringe’ suburbs with a lack of infrastructure and facilities,” he said.
“We have thought carefully about the mix of housing to be included in Breakwater with a view to creating a diverse and inclusive community suitable for people at all stages of life.
“The value for existing residents is in the new transport network which will encourage use of the train station less than one kilometre away, and new pedestrian links supported by two new roads connecting to education, health, sporting and lifestyle amenities.”
Much of the Breakwater site is on highly modified agricultural land which will require the developer to rehabilitate the area with native plants.
The Walker Corporation on its Breakwater website says the project will:
• Directly contribute a $1.2 billion boost to the state economy post 2018 Commonwealth Games and indirectly provide $1.8 billion when flow-on effects are included.
• Save the Government $120 million on infrastructure that it would have to spend building new greenfield suburbs.
• Create an average 293 jobs while it’s being built.
• Reduce flooding on adjoining low lying land including school playing fields and council parklands along with improving residential access to public reserves to the north and south of the site
“New neighbourhoods, residential buildings and roads will be built above the designated flood levels with flood and storm water to be directed into channels and through the site,” Mr Saba said.
“An important benefit of the project is that Robina Hospital will be accessible through Breakwater and to the Mudgeeraba M1 interchange under more severe flood conditions than Robina Town Centre Drive currently permits.”
Tell us what you think at goldcoastbulletin.com.au A SCANDAL has engulfed the boss of Border Force, Roman Quaedvlieg, over allegations he was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a young staffer.
The high-profile and highly connected Commissioner (above) has been on leave from his $700,000 job since Senate estimates earlier this year, and is facing an investigation.
It is understood the claims centre on Mr Quaedvlieg, who is aged 52 and married, being involved in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member in her early 20s.
There was speculation inside the ABF that the woman may have received a promotion.
Acting Immigration and Border Protection Minister Michael Keenan said: “The ABF Commissioner is on leave.
“A matter is under consideration by appropriate authorities. There will be no further comment until that process is complete.”
Mr Quaedvlieg was asked for comment but he did not respond.
Former Immigration media chief Sandi Logan sent out a tweet recently saying: “@ABFComm’s long absence from duty arises from external investigation into his ‘activities’. Care to speculate?”
Mr Quaedvlieg is a decorated former Australian Federal Police officer who was tipped to be in the running for the NSW Police Commissioner’s job.
The role ultimately went to Mick Fuller in late March.
Mr Quaedvlieg has also worked for the Queensland Police Service. Within the Turnbull government and police services, he is viewed as talented, highly-ambitious and politically connected.
Mr Quaedvlieg’s name has also been put forward to run a potential super-law enforcement portfolio, similar to the United Kingdom’s Home Office department.
Despite running a tight ship, there has been internal division between Immigration and Customs staff, who were merged into Border Force in 2015.
It is not known when or if Mr Quaedvlieg will return to work but it is understood the federal government is still yet to rule out a super law enforcement department.
Several agencies support the creation of a new agency in a bid to ensure better information sharing, and a more streamlined approach to counter-terrorism and immigration.