Running for the Hills
Developer to pitch ‘affordable housing’ in $150m project’s mix
The developer behind the $150m Arundel Hills Country Club residential estate will assure the state government it can provide affordable housing in its new pitch to have the project approved.
Developer 3 Group, headed by businessman Steven Kleytman, has declined to comment since Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon late on Monday announced consultation for a ‘call-in’, which will trigger 15 days of submissions from various stakeholders.
The project was originally rejected by council but Ms Scanlon is weighing up using extraordinary state powers to overturn the decision as Queensland battles with a housing crisis.
The development group’s submission in a Notice of Appeal attempting to overturn council’s decision to stop its 380home low density project, reveals its hand.
“The proposed development addresses a significant emerging undersupply of dwellings in the Gold Coast and more generally in southeast Queensland,” solicitors Mills Oakley told the Planning and Environment Court.
Building the new estate on the abandoned golf course would increase housing choice in the Arundel Hills area and create employment opportunities during the build and later.
Latest figures under the draft South East Regional Plan update show the Coast has been allocated an increase of 381,200 residents between 2021 and 2046 – representing a total resident population of 1,015,000.
An additional 158,100 dwellings will be needed taking the total to 429,500.
The developer in the appeal will argue the council made “material errors” and failed to consider key matters.
These included the quantity and quality to the sport and recreation network created by the new development, and the contribution to the public’s need for housing.
The community would benefit from further housing on an infill site rather than greater cost of developing greenfield land, the developer argued.
“The council has prioritised the protection of the amenity of a small number of residents in the area over the broader community benefits of the proposal,” lawyers wrote.
They maintain the development fitted with council’s planning scheme because it would provide “affordable housing for a variety of community needs” in a residential area close to public transport and other essential infrastructure.
The new estate would include almost 41ha of public open space and no priority vegetation would be impacted. About 61 per cent of the site would be retained for open space, broken up into three precincts to include sport and recreation along with conservation.
Developers in responding to council’s criticism on the impact on amenity, said only 27 per cent of the site was proposed for housing and 12 per cent for internal roads.
But council in January in rejecting the development application said it would result in the removal of 75,000sq m of vegetation and four waterways
Council planning committee chairman Mark Hammel was applauded by residents in the gallery as he referred to the council officer report, describing the nine-page refusal “as the strongest I’ve seen”.
“The impact on existing fauna would be catastrophic,” he said.
Ms Scanlon as the Minister, can make drastic changes to the plans and require the developer to provide affordable housing
New councillor
and areas state.
Arundel Hills Golf Course Community Reference Group committee member Jason Young, representing almost 1200 residents opposing the development, believes the project
protect environmental if it is approved by the does not meet the criteria for the Minister to use the call-in powers.
Newly elected councillor Joe Wilkinson on Tuesday afternoon received a briefing from officers and said he would work with planners and Cr Hammel on formulating the council’s response to the call-in.
In a Facebook post update to residents, he said the feedback through community consultation was significant and led to council officers recommending refusal, which was backed by all councillors.
He said he believed council made the right decision and was “disappointed” the Minister was considering a ‘call in’ and that a submission would be made to her department.
“It’s my opinion if the Minister does choose to exercise this power, she will be going against the clear wishes of our community,” he said.