City Plan again put on pause

More consultation on the cards

CHANGES to the City Plan have been delayed again as council attempts to frame the right package on tower heights and light rail development.

Council is set to embark on another round of community consultation after officers suggested more changes. The initial feedback began in September 2019.

Before Wednesday’s planning committee meeting, chair Cameron Caldwell had set a strict timetable, telling officers he wanted the package of amendments to be completed before Christmas.

Councillors had originally considered a recommendation in which officers would report back by December 3. The changes will be sent to the state government for approval.

However, Councillor Pauline Young, aware of the pressure on staff and need to get the package right, called for it to be delayed. It was supported by Cr William OwenJones

The recommendation, ticked off by all councillors, gives a February deadline and suggests a fourth round of public consultation may occur if the amendment package involves significant changes.

“This is killing us slowly in the public domain in terms of the development sector’s views and the community’s view about our ability to make decisions,” Cr Caldwell said.

Officers tested proposed planning changes on 38 buildings approved across the city, looking at tower heights in low-density suburbs, setbacks and above-ground parking.

Under the changes, which have most impact on the suburbs of Labrador, Southport and Biggera Waters, officers found:

29 per cent of the development scenarios would likely achieve compliance with the new provisions.

● 37 per cent of the development scenarios would require redesign to achieve compliance.

34 per cent of the development scenarios would be unlikely to achieve compliance.

Council sources suggest the fact that more than onethird of projects would not be approved under the changes shows the impact of the package.

Council planning director Alisha Swain outlined future options in a letter to councillors.

“As the City is still in the ‘consultation phase’ of the amendment package, there is an opportunity to make changes to those parts of the amendment package that are subject to submissions,” she said.

One of the major submitters, the Community Alliance ACE Association Inc, staged a town hall meeting to discuss key issues such as “city liveability under threat” and “the need for better management of growth and development by council”.

Seventy-five residents logged in to view a presentation on the City Plan.

Residents voiced strong concerns around the pausing of City Plan amendment packages.

At least 98 per cent of participants voted in favour of calling on councillors to uphold the existing City Plan and “end the excessive relaxations being granted in development approvals”.