ECO-VILLAGE VS SHOPPINGMALL
A PEACEFUL Gold Coast hinterland residential estate, renowned for winning international environmental awards, is in a brawl with developers and council about a new shopping centre.
The Bulletin has learned about 100 residents at Ecovillage at Currumbin have signed a petition protesting against a development application for a convenience store and office suites.
Plans show the site is on a lot which includes the recently approved preschool, and the development will create a new road and car parking area. But residents fear the code assessable application will be ticked off internally by council planning officers.
Councillor Gail O’Neill, after meeting with them, has promised their concerns will be addressed and there was an option for councillors to debate them at committee.
Ecovillage resident Karen Collins said there was support for Village centre to be finished under a masterplan but many owners were concerned about “creep” as more shops and buildings were planned.
The new commercial precinct will require town water connection which “goes against the ethos of our sustainable development” given the village was “100 per cent water sufficient”.
“Many residents are very concerned that this and past development has gone beyond the original master plan for the commercial precinct,” Ms Collins said.
“Already we have noise complaints, bottleneck of traffic, many hazardous near misses, dangerous parking areas, as well as more traffic on private roads creating a busier atmosphere overall. Our resident kangaroos are in jeopardy also as they use these areas as family gatherings, eating areas. The impact on storm water could be very problematic and our majestic iconic fig tree may be lost.”
Residents had ensured native flora and fauna was returned to the rural valley during last 15 years due to tree planting and the exclusion of dogs and cats.
“The landscape plan submitted does not have any native species and uses mainly exotic plant species. The wider Currumbin Valley residents are also upset that they have been told they cannot access their Village Square,” Ms Collins said.
Private planners have lodged extensive traffic and environmental reports with council which say the planned car parking provisions are adequate to cater for the increased demands and monitoring showed the increase in traffic will be “negligible”.
Cr O’Neill confirmed she and planning officers met with representatives of residents of Ecovillage to listen to their concerns about the code assessable application.
“The application is still in the assessment stage and the application needs to be assessed against the preliminary approval for the Ecovillage site and with regard to the City Plan,” Cr O’Neill said.