‘If it floods, forget it’

VICTORIA-based developer Villawood is exploring building a subdivision in Jacobs Well.

However, the plan for the multi-hectare former turf farm owned by the Hicks family and bounded by Pimpama Jacobs Well and Stapylton Jacobs Well roads has been met with opposition from some residents who fear it could cause execrable flooding issues in the area. The land is home to two large ponds.

Jacobs Well and Districts Progress Association president Chas Watts said a meeting was held late last month with Villawood’s Paul Eagles who outlined the concept for the site.

“It (the Hicks land) is a bit lower than its surrounds because it has been a turf farm and has been depleted of soil,” he said. “It is obvious it has to be developed. You cannot sit on that land forever.

“The problem the locals have is they had drainage issues for quite a while. Those in the immediate vicinity probably think they have bought a pup when it rains.”

Mr Watts praised Villawood for its efforts to consult with residents before lodging a development application with the council.

The Bulletin understands a number of flood mitigation measures have been put forward including detention basins to hold back water following heavy rain.

The Bulletin contacted Mr Eagles for comment and was told the developer would prepare a statement by Thursday.

Division 1 councillor Mark Hammel said residents had expressed concerns about “flow-on impacts that may come from building a residential subdivision on a lowlying area” at several progress association meetings.

“These are very real concerns and understandably residents don’t want to see current inundations in this area during rain events made any worse,” he said.

“It is for these reasons I believe hydrology needs to be in even sharper focus when the City is considering any more proposed development in Jacobs Well.

“To date, I am encouraged to see the developer has so far been open and transparent in its consultations with the community — even prior to lodging any development application with council.”

Cr Hammel said hydrology reports needed to be taken into account with “input from residents who have lived with localised inundation and drainage issues in this particular area over a number of decades”.