Gated housing for bush fire risk area
A PRESTIGE gated housing estate planned for Mount Louisa has been approved by Townsville City Council despite its location in an area classified as being at a “high risk” of bush fires.
Toowoomba- based development company PEART Land has been given the green light to create 30 residential lots with areas of about 515 to 2350sq m. The site is located within an identified bushfire hazard area at 41 Afton Way, Mount Louisa west of the Townsville CBD.
Extensive residential housing is located to the north and east of the planned development which will be located in bushland at the foot of the mountain.
The site was identified by the Townsville City Council Planning Scheme as containing areas of mostly “high” fire risk. The last fire recorded in the area by Queensland
Fire and Rescue Services, a large grass fire, was between November 30 and December 5, 2012 to the southeast of the site.
The developer will undertake measures to mitigate the potential impacts under Australian standards for “buildings in bushfire- prone areas”.
A fire break and vegetation management will also be used, according to planning documents tendered to the council.
PEART Land declined a request by the Townsville Bulletin for comment.
Planning Committee chairman Cr Les Walker said the division provided developer Bellride Pty Ltd with approval for a 30- lot residential development, subject to a range of conditions including hill slope and bushfire hazard management requirements.
He said the development would provide greater choice in the local property market.
“The council wants to get right behind good development applications that will provide greater housing options,” Cr Walker said.
“Mount Louisa is a much sought- after area and there is always a strong demand for elevated blocks in the city that can offer views.
“Hillslope sites such as the Afton Way proposal, which is close to bushland, must comply with a range of conditions to manage any potential impacts. The development area is within a hill slope and bushfire hazard area and has been conditioned appropriately to ensure it is properly safeguarded.”
Approval conditions include a bushfire management plan that requires a 30m buffer with a graded track to provide access for emergency services vehicles, and another smaller firebreak at one top end of the subdivision.