Victoria Point planning outcomes reflect Court negotiated settlement of planning interests

Redland City Council is continuing its push to secure the best planning outcomes for a new emerging community in Victoria Point while navigating a complex planning and appeal system.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council was committed to delivering a well-planned and co-ordinated approach to the development of this significant future growth area.

“This includes Council representing the community in recent Court appeals on planning interests in the area, including the area around Clay Gully.

“Council’s approach is outlined in the draft South West Victoria Point Local Plan (draft local plan) it submitted to State Government in November 2019 for State Interest Review and which is yet to receive Ministerial approval for us to then go on to public consultation.”

The local plan area is approximately 175 hectares and is situated between Bunker Road and Brendan Way in the north, Clay Gully Road and Cleveland-Redland Bay Road in the east, Double Jump Road in the south and Little Eprapah Creek in the west.

“The planning commitment for this area is for a well-planned urban community, integrating all necessary components of the built and natural environments in an orderly, and coordinated land use pattern,” Cr Williams said.

“Council’s planning process undertaken for the area has been a key contributor to these efforts.

“Since 2015, Council has received a number of properly made development applications over sites within the local plan area.

“In early 2018, Council resolved to defer its decision on development applications in the area until the structure plan was in place and the Government gave a clear commitment to funding the vital infrastructure required for the area’s future growth.

“As no decision was made on these deferred development applications within the statutory timeframe, seven of the applicants subsequently lodged an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court arguing for their own plans for the area.

“With the support of the Draft Structure Plan and experts, Council has represented the community’s interests through the appeal proceedings to ensure a co-ordinated approach to development.

“Even though approximately 40 per cent of the local plan area is captured by the three Court judgements that have been handed down in recent months, Council will continue to fight on behalf of the community for better outcomes as there is still much to gain by having an adopted local plan.

“Local area planning ensures a co-ordinated approach to the area’s development is undertaken to achieve the desired vision for the area.

“It will help ensure environmental values and corridors are protected and that infrastructure networks are co-ordinated and effectively delivered within the area.

“On completion of the State Interest Review and Ministerial approval to proceed to public consultation, the draft local plan will be publicly notified on our Redlands Coast Your Say website.”

“In the meantime, Council will continue to represent the community during the appeals that are ongoing but confidentiality provisions mean Council is unable to comment further on those matters still before the courts.”

Following Court judgment on one of the settled appeals, Council has approved an operational works development permit for earthworks to begin in the Clay Gully area.  Council understands that these works will commence very shortly.

More information on the South West Victoria Point local plan is available on the Redlands Coast Your Say page (link).