Mounting objections
Residents opposed to DHA plans
WITH just 10 days to go until the deadline for public submissions on the proposed 342-lot Defence Housing Australia housing estate on the escarpment in Mount Lofty, nearly 50 people have already had their say on the issue.
So far, the overwhelming majority of submissions are objecting to the development.
Defence Housing Australia is proposing 342 lots, ranging from 400 sq m to 2400 sq m in size, on a 52-hectare section of the former rifle range site at Mount Lofty.
If it receives the necessary approvals, DHA would begin a staged construction of the project, starting with civil works in 2019.
People of all walks of life from doctors to OAM recipients - have objected to the development in its current form.
One objection was even lodged from the United States.
Aside from concerns around the destruction of koala habitat, some residents of Mount Lofty have also objected on the basis of massively increased traffic flows from the development, the unsuitability of small lots, and their number, the diminution of housing values as a result of the development of escarpment land, stormwater flow, risk of landslides and flooding hazards, bushfire risk, and the natural and cultural heritage of the former rifle range grounds.
Of the 44 submissions made so far, three were supportive of the development.
Two of those submissions argued it should be approved because it could lead to the development and extension of mountain biking trails from Jubilee Park.
DHA senior development manager Rob Winters said DHA “would like to bring some balance into the discussion on Mount Lofty”.
“Just 52 hectares of our land is proposed for development. Over 40% of it is already cleared.”
He also described the proposal’s density as “low” - “342 residential lots... on a 52-hectare parcel”.
“DHA’s expert team found one koala on our site. We were well aware the species might occur and we reported this sighting of a koala to the federal Department of Environment and Energy,” Mr Winters said.
“DHA will unlock over 327 hectares of new escarpment parkland to the community. DHA will also significantly improve the habitat quality of this land by removing weeds, managing wild dogs and planting native koala habitat trees.”
Mr Winters encouraged people to “get the facts” and head to www.mountloftytoowoomba.com.au, and to have their say on the development before December 18.