Country club divvy up
School in middle of land gifting wildlife row
UPSET residents are preparing to fight plans to transform a derelict golf course into housing, parks and recreation land, fearing it will lead to “destruction of wildlife habitat”.
The sale of the former Arundel Hills Country Club site was settled on Thursday.
New owners, Arundel Estates, revealed their master plan for the site on Friday.
This earmarked 68 per cent of the 67ha course for parks, recreation, wetlands and public open space and the remaining 32 per cent for low-density detached housing.
Seven hectares of land would be gifted to A.B. Paterson College to create sport and recreation facilities. Arundel Hills Community Reference Group spokesman Jason Young said its more than 400 members would fight the proposal.
“The developers should be under no illusion – our community is preparing for a fight to preserve and protect this area which is our home.”
He said the group had concerns including loss of wildlife habitat for koala, kangaroo and bird populations.
The group also cited extra strain on roads and schools and loss of existing waterways.
Mr Young said a public meeting on the proposed development would be held after Easter, with a date coming soon.
Arundel Estates spokesman Dale Carroll said the proposal struck a balance between preserving green space, protecting wildlife and meeting housing demand: “We have invested significant resources into identifying critical wildlife corridors, including for koalas, and developing a master plan that protects those important areas.
“The land that is being gifted to the college could have been used for additional development but instead we opted to make it available to help shape the leaders of tomorrow. The college took six months to consider our offer, and undertook considerable due diligence, particularly in relation to our environmental commitments.
“There will be an extensive community consultation process as part of our application to council, and details will be provided in coming weeks.”
A group of parents with children at A.B. Paterson College, who asked not to be named, urged staff to withdraw their support for the plans.
“This ‘gift’ of land is not free, it comes at a devastatingly high price for endangered koalas and other fauna,” the parents wrote in a letter. “Please A.B. Paterson College, we implore you, show the courage to admit that you have made a mistake.
“Set an example for your students by demonstrating that it is okay to admit you are wrong, and set about making things right.”
The school’s principal Joanne Sheehy said the land was an “extraordinary opportunity” for the college.
“The board and leadership would be derelict in our responsibilities to current and future students if we failed to take advantage of it.
“We could have been confronted with several hundred more homes instead of being gifted open space for playing fields and sporting amenities.
“We’ve committed to talking with parents about how we use the land, as well as facilitating consultation with the wider community in relation to the overall project.”
Area councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden said the site was zoned sport and recreation, council officers would ssess the application against the city plan and there will be a public consultation.”