Cedar Woods - Upper Kedron

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Cedar Woods suburb plan altered to allay traffic fears

Brisbane City Council will not allow any traffic from a proposed new mega-suburb on to Mt Nebo Road – and ultimately on to the already congested Waterworks Road – when it considers the case for a $900 million project on Tuesday.

In July developers suggested two roads from the proposed mega-suburb, located between The Gap and Upper Kedron, join Mt Nebo Road, which is a single-lane bushland road that fringes D'Aguilar National Park.

However, the developer's own development application warned the two road connections to Mt Nebo Road could increase the frequency of koalas being hit by cars.

"Of greater significance is an increase in vehicles movements on Mt Nebo Road, increasing the potential for vehicle strike on conservation significant fauna, such as the koala," a study said.

National Parks Minister Steve Dickson raised concerns about the impact on koalas after being questioned by Fairfax Media in July 2014.

Residents believed up to 40 per cent of the traffic from the proposed mega-suburb could have used the link to and from Mt Nebo Road, ultimately running through The Gap and Ashgrove.

The $900 million project is controversial because the 227 hectares of land used to establish the mega-suburb was sold by prominent LNP donor, Ian Macallister to West Australian property developer Cedar Woods in May 2014.

The council signed an infrastructure agreement with Ian Macallister, a long-time LNP donor three months earlier, in February 2014.

Without the legally binding infrastructure agreement, the Upper Kedron property's unimproved capital value was just $2.5 million, according to Brisbane City Council's calculations.

Subsequently - in June 2014 - Cedar Woods lodged a development application for 1350 lots over the 227 hectare site in the face of opposition from local residents.

Residents complained the plan proposed too many houses on the cleared bushland and that it would cause major traffic congestion on Mt Nebo Road, which flows onto Waterworks Road.

About 90 hectares of conservation bushland is included on the original plan around Mt Nebo Road, however the creation of two roads roads linking to Mt Nebo Road was part of the original application.

In September 2014, Save The Gap residents' group president Shane Bevis said the initial application was greedy and ignored residents' views. About 1000 objections were lodged.

"Rather than low density and acreage allotments, they are proposing a greedy land grab and trying to convince us it's primed for a whole new suburb," Mr Bevis said.

"We are very concerned the Lord Mayor not just welcomes the development but has signed council up from the start to master plan for a community when he knew full well the land was not zoned for that."

However the Cedar Woods application which will appear before the Neighbourhood Planning sub-committee on Tuesday will not include any road links to Mt Nebo Road.

Committee chair Cr Amanda Cooper said vehicle access would be through Canvey Road to Upper Kedron in the north of the site.

Cr Cooper said the major road and intersection upgrades would be undertaken by the site owner, developer Cedar Woods.

"There will be no traffic access allowed through Mt Nebo Road," she said.

Today's Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment Committee is expected to recommend that the first two stages of Cedar Woods' 10-stage development are approved at next week's Brisbane City Council meeting.

The first two stages include 326 blocks of land, just under one–third of the maximum 980 lots.

The committee's Chairman, Councillor Amanda Cooper, said the former Labor state government identified the land for development in its South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031.

She disagreed the land was not suited to residential development and said most of the proposal was for low-density residential living.

"This development will deliver a high quality master planned community just 13 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD as demand for housing stock continues to increase," she said.

"Approximately 137 hectares of the site have been earmarked for low density residential development with a variety of housing lots, which will help cater for an increasing population."

Cr Cooper said the development would see more than 90 hectares of land dedicated to the council for conservation and recreational parkland.

"This land will be handed to the people of Brisbane to ensure ecological corridors are maintained through the site," she said.

"A number of the ecological corridors will be rehabilitated, protecting important fauna links."

The 40-hectare stage one area includes 146 lots – ranging in size from 300 square metres to 799 square metres – and a convenience store on the corner of Canvey Street and Leavitt Road in Upper Kedron.

The second stage includes 180 lots ranging in size from 300 square metres to 1972 square metres.

Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner on Monday said the issues covered in the 1000 objections would be covered at Tuesday's committee meeting.

"That will come up at the planning committee and there will be a thorough debate at the planning committee and the full council the following week."

[#Metro]

Reading this is a bit sad.

Google Maps: Ross Road, Upper Kedron https://goo.gl/maps/aewyF

The development isn't in The Gap, it is in Upper Kedron and at quite a distance too.
The development is separated from the Gap by a ridge
Ultra low density = no hope for public transport. The objections to more cars, thus forcing low density, has thus made it a certainty that cars will be the only mode going in and out of the suburb
At Just 13 km from the CBD this is good amenity, and much better than developments in la-la land Ripley or Bromelton
The site is cleared
Almost nobody lives there


http://olr13.brisbane.qld.gov.au/website/MN_CP/index.htm?

In European cities, greenfields development is often 6-8 storey is the DEFAULT building type. Also more efficient as heating and cooling can be centralised rather than each apartment/house having their own standalone aircon/heater.

[ozbob]

7 News --> Council under pressure to confirm Brisbane mega suburb

[ozbob]

Twitter

Kate Jones ‏@katejonesqld 46 minutes ago

Newman has no choice but to oppose development post today's road announcement. Here's my statement. #qldpol #thegap

[BrizCommuter]

Yet more unsustainable urban sprawl, with likely little to no public transport provision.

[ozbob]

Free parking 

Brisbane and environs is on spiral down to transport failure ... 

[SurfRail]

I see Kate is hiding her ALP affiliation again.

[aldonius]

Well at least with these changes we'll see a properly resourced 367? Right guys? 

[#Metro]

Shocking service, enough to faint just reading the timetable. This is what happens when one insists on low density development to make it more 'sustainable', you just make it more car dependant and because the bus isn't filling, the CO2 emissions are worse than car.

http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/timetables/140120-367.pdf

Under bus reform 367 would be extended to terminate at Brookside Interchange.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

5th December 2014

Cedar Woods: BCC's Newest Public Transport Black Hole?

Greetings,

Brisbane City Council looks set to affirm Cedar Woods as Brisbane's newest public transport black hole. In addition to Brisbane City Council's lack of decent bus service into the established suburbs of Yeronga, Centenary, Albany Creek, and Bulimba, the development of Cedar Woods at Upper Kedron looks likely to join the public transport black hole list.

TransLink's minimum density for the most basic bus service is around 7 dwellings per hectare. Lowering density to a level where bus services are not viable so that the development is 100% car dependent makes the proposed suburb less not more, environmentally sustainable. The lack of road connection from The Gap also means that high frequency bus services BUZ 385 can never ever be extended into the development. How does this improve sustainability or environmental outcomes?

As reported by the Brisbane Times:

"The plan originally asked for 15 dwellings per hectare. However that was reduced to 7.5 dwellings per hectare at the meeting, still over the five dwellings per hectare set out in the local plan."

Will the local road network within the Cedar Woods development feature anti-public transport devices and a street layout making it impossible for buses, and other heavy and emergency vehicles to quickly and directly service the suburb?  Just look around some of the newer ' developments ' - transport nightmares!

Bus services need a basic density to be viable and a higher density to justify turn up and go service.  Buses also need to be able to access the road network.

Don't miss the bus!

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

'TransLink further advises that the minimum standard for implementing bus transport
services in regional areas of South East Queensland is seven dwellings per hectare.'

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Documents/TableOffice/TabledPapers/2009/5209T4960.pdf

Kate Jones and Campbell Newman Clash over Mega Suburbs Bushland Track
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/kate-jones-campbell-newman-clash-over-megasuburbs-bushland-track-20141202-11yj3z.html

[hU0N]

People are entitled to low density housing (not all of us want to live in a shoe box, especially if you have kids and you want them to play outside with trees and grass and not infront of the simulated world).

Sure.  But that would only be an argument for building more of them if we didn't have plenty of them already.  And we do.  Most of Brisbane lives in transit hostile, low density suburbia because that is all that is available.  And while I'm confident that Brisbane has very few people forced into an apartment because they can't find a house, I'm even surer that many (not all, but many) of us would love to live in higher density, more activated and vibrant neighbourhoods, living more locally and using PT for the shear convenience of not having to drive.  But we've got Nimby's and the housing shortage to thank for keeping us out in the low density 'burbs.

[Old Northern Road]

This development isn't going to be as bad as Caboolture West or Yarrabilba but due to the already congested road network in the area it is completely inappropriate.

The argument that we should only be building low density housing because that is what young families want annoys me. First of all families with young children only make up a small percentage of the total population and secondly these new houses don't have backyards anyway.

If developers were forced to pay for the infrastructure needed for places like Flagstone, Caboolture West and Yarrabilba then they would probably choose instead to build higher density housing in the inner city

[HappyTrainGuy]

I hope a busway is included in this development.

[aldonius]

To where?

[Gazza]

I reckon they could extend the Gap BUZ via a set of bus bollards.

[HappyTrainGuy]

To where?

Caboolture? with eventual maglev 

[Golliwog]

To where?

Caboolture? with eventual maglev 

Nah, to Samford along the Samford Bypass corridor!

Get everyone in for the $10 steaks at the Samford pub on Wednesdays!

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Community-and-environment/Planning-for-the-future/Preserved-transport-corridors/Samford-Valley-subarterial-Samford-Valley-Road-and-Samford-Valley-Connection.aspx

[aldonius]

Caboolture via Samford and then Dayboro... 

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane mega-suburb gets final green light

[#Metro]

Townhouses banned? A bit heavy handed!

The planned suburb – between Upper Kedron and The Gap – will be built on about 227 hectares of cattle scrub and bushland, at a density of about 7.5 dwellings per hectare, almost half the density of the original plan.

There you go, Cedar Woods is officially Brisbane's newest no-public transport black hole!

Cedar woods or Cedar Car Park?

[#Metro]

Google Maps of the area with BCC current bus network. From http://tiny.cc/checkyourbus
The Gap is at the Bottom, the cleared patch area at the lower left is the location for the site IIRC.
Cedar Creek appears in the map.

As you can see, it is a large isolated pocket. This area is going to be a real black hole, car only access and if you are old, too young.
can't afford a car, you will have real problems. Hills also make it less suitable for other modes like bicycles.

[#Metro]

From the Save The Gap Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152565141253003&set=o.790928477630439&type=1&theater

A scan of a letter made by the developer Cedar Woods sent to residents in the area, text outlined:

"Public Transport is important for al communities. While the area already has excellent public transport access, additional bus services to support new residents will provide a good alternative to car travel and reduce traffic impacts. We are working with the State Government to address this in the event that the project is approved."

AHAHAHAHA, pull the other one!!

* Without a road connection to The Gap, The Gap BUZ services can NEVER EVER be extended into the development, EVER.

* BCC cut the density in half to 7.5 dwellings/ha. What this means is that it will be 100% car dependant from day #1 and the density it far too low to support anything other more than one bus  per hour stopping at 6pm with no service on weekends.

* BCC BANNED townhouses, units, duplexes etc which are modest density enhancers. What this means is that not only will it be car dependant on day #1 but it will be car dependant FOREVER as well as no infill can occur

Let there be no mistake. Lowering density makes the development MORE environmentally UNfriendly and UNsustainable.

[Jonno]

From the Save The Gap Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152565141253003&set=o.790928477630439&type=1&theater

A scan of a letter made by the developer Cedar Woods sent to residents in the area, text outlined:

"Public Transport is important for al communities. While the area already has excellent public transport access, additional bus services to support new residents will provide a good alternative to car travel and reduce traffic impacts. We are working with the State Government to address this in the event that the project is approved."

AHAHAHAHA, pull the other one!!
You
* Without a road connection to The Gap, The Gap BUZ services can NEVER EVER be extended into the development, EVER.

* BCC cut the density in half to 7.5 dwellings/ha. What this means is that it will be 100% car dependant from day #1 and the density it far too low to support anything other more than one bus  per hour stopping at 6pm with no service on weekends.

* BCC BANNED townhouses, units, duplexes etc which are modest density enhancers. What this means is that not only will it be car dependant on day #1 but it will be car dependant FOREVER as well as no infill can occur

Let there be no mistake. Lowering density makes the development MORE environmentally UNfriendly and UNsustainable.

+1 BCC's own policies/decisions are creating the problems they believe their policies/decisions are fixing!   Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!

[#Metro]

"While the area already has excellent public transport access"

What BS!!

[ozbob]

Media Release
Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Proposed 'call in' for Cedar Woods development

The Queensland Government will consider a ministerial 'call in' of the proposed Cedar Woods development at Upper Kedron in Brisbane.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Jackie Trad, said she was using her powers under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 to issue a proposed 'call in' notice for the Cedar Woods development application.

"Today I have notified all parties – the developers and the community – that I am considering a 'call-in' for the proposed Cedar Woods development," Ms Trad said.

"This issue was raised during the election campaign with the community raising concerns around traffic impacts and whether the development is in accordance with Brisbane City Council's planning scheme—City Plan 2014.

"We made a commitment to listen to the community and this proposed call in notice will provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to have their say.

"I want all parties to know that this decision will be made on planning merit not politics.

"Brisbane City Council approved the development on 11 December 2014 which consists of 780 lots with the potential for 200 lots based on a future potential road connection to Ross Road.

"The development is a significant subdivision on undeveloped and constrained land adjoining the Brisbane Forest Park.

"For this reason, I consider that this development could potentially affect economic and environmental state interests of this part of the State.

"I also note that council's decision is a departure from its planning scheme, which was only adopted in 2014.

"As the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, I want to ensure that there is an efficient, effective and accountable planning and development assessment system, which is also a state interest.

"All relevant parties now have 20 business days to have their say on whether the development should be called in," Ms Trad said.

The closing date for submissions is 30 March 2015. The Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning is required to make a decision on whether to call in the development by 29 April 2015.

To find out more visit: www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/cedarwoods For more information about ministerial call ins visit: http://www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/development-applications/ministerial-call-in.html

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Govt may step in over Upper Kedron mega suburb

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> 300 submissions on Brisbane's mega-suburb plan

[#Metro]

The density is just far too low. 7.5 dwellings/ha = cartopia.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Chris O'Brien ‏@COBrienBris 20 minutes ago

Qld govt @jackietrad has called-in the proposed Upper Kedron master planned community for re-assessment. @abcnews #qldpol

[ozbob]

Media Statements
Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Jackie Trad
Monday, April 27, 2015

Cedar Woods development called in

The Queensland Government has called-in the proposed Upper Kedron master planned community for re-assessment.

In making the decision, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, Jackie Trad, said the development needed to strike a careful balance.

"While Cedar Woods could potentially contribute $900 million to the Queensland economy and create up to 1,000 jobs during peak construction, we must balance that with genuine community concerns."

"I will reassess this development application to ensure the right balance is achieved for the environment, the economy and the concerns of the local communities," said Ms Trad.

"The proposed development involves state interests relating to the economy and environment, the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031, and ensuring that there is an efficient, effective and accountable planning and development assessment system," said Ms Trad.

"I want all parties to know that this decision will be made on planning merit not politics.

The site encompassing Brompton Road, Ross Road and Levitt Road, Upper Kedron, covers more than 226 hectares. The current plans propose that 40 per cent of the development will be for recreation and conservation purposes.

The Deputy Premier's decision on the called in development application will be due in late June 2015.

More information about Ministerial call ins are available here:

http://dilgp.qld.gov.au/planning/development-assessment/ministerial-call-in.html

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Cedar Woods approval to be reassessed

[#Metro]

 

Well I sure hope so! The development isn't even in The Gap!

"I want all parties to know that this decision will be made on planning merit not politics.

[Jonno]

But will it by last century planning or 21st century planning. I suspect the former!!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

28th April 2015

Cedar Woods: Brisbane's Newest Public Transport Black Hole?

Greetings,

We observe the density for the proposed Cedar Woods development is to be just 7.5 dwellings/ha. This density is simply far too low to support any bus service that would be competitive with cars. All residents would be forced to use cars out of necessity.

Without a road or bus-only connection between Mt Nebo Road and the development, high frequency BUZ 385 will never ever be able to extend into the development site, permanently locking the development into car-only use. Bus only access can be enforced with sump-busters.

The 7.5 dwellings/ha is actually lower than the absolute lowest density case study in the Residential Form Handbook issued by Brisbane City Council and The Queensland Government. For example, a duplex has a site density of 38 dwellings/ha.

The Handbook has a number of examples - Varsity Lakes for example is around 15 dwellings/ha. The Refinery Development at New Farm has a density of 32 dwellings/ha. Houses in Springfield have a density of 33 dwellings/ha.

By any measure, the Cedar Woods development is too low density to be environmentally sustainable and will be Brisbane's newest public transport black hole with car dependent chaos.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

1. 300 Submissions on Mega-suburb
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/300-submissions-on-brisbanes-megasuburb-plan-20150420-1moqbz.html

2. Residential Form Handbook
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/Residential_handbook_part_one.pdf

[ozbob]

Oh ...

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2015/7/31/queensland-government-directs-further-planning-for-cedar-woods

Media Statements
Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Friday, July 31, 2015

Queensland Government directs further planning for Cedar Woods

The Queensland Government has ordered further planning be undertaken by Brisbane City Council on the Cedar Woods development as it approved an initial 480 lots in part of the site and rejected the original proposal for 1,350 lots.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Jackie Trad said she had made the decision after considering almost 1,600 submissions and weighing up best planning practice and the housing needs of Brisbane.

"Independent expert planning advice found that Brisbane City Council failed to properly assess this development application against their own planning scheme, and that only a partial approval could be justified when assessed against council's plan," Ms Trad said.

"As a result, I have today provided a preliminary approval for approximately 480 lots to be developed over part of the site, while not allowing development within those areas zoned for environmental protection or rural uses.

"It has also become clear that the Brisbane City Council planning framework for the site has been fundamentally deficient and does not provide an appropriate basis on which to make long term development decisions for this area.

"As a result of council's failure, I also intend to issue a formal Ministerial Direction under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 requiring council to undertake updated planning in the local area."

This Ministerial Direction will require the council undertake appropriate land use planning and community engagement that considers the long term potential of this site, which has been fully included within the Urban Footprint of the South East Queensland Regional Plan since 2009.

"It's vital that proper and integrated town planning is carried out so that the council's planning scheme can accurately point to a well-considered long term future for this key site," Ms Trad said.

Independent land use planning and technical studies including transport, traffic and environmental issues, reveal the site has the potential for further residential development in addition to the initial approval. However, the current Brisbane City Plan does not adequately address these matters.

Independent expert planning analysis found that Brisbane City Council did not act reasonably in their assessment of the development, and that an Infrastructure Agreement negotiated in advance of the application was a significant departure from the zoning/land use intent for the site and overall conservation strategy as set out in the council's city plan.

Environmental analysis also demonstrates that the city plan does not reflect the actual location of environmental values across the large site, and that a superior ecologically sustainable development configuration could be achieved rather than what is reflected in the city plan.

"Good planning and real engagement with the community is required to resolve these major deficiencies," Ms Trad said.

"The community rightly raised concerns about inconsistencies with the proposed development and how it sat within the council's planning scheme and the state's regional plan urban development footprint expectations.

"If the developer had been given clearer signals about what was envisaged in council's city plan 2014, then unnecessary angst within the community and uncertainty surrounding the development could have been avoided."

The Cedar Woods call in investigated town planning, traffic, environmental and community concerns.

"I have consistently said that I intended to make a decision on this matter on planning grounds, and that is what has guided my decision today," Ms Trad.

The Queensland Government issued a call in of the proposed Upper Kedron master planned community for re-assessment earlier this year following an election commitment to the community. The Deputy Premier used her powers under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009.

[#Metro]

5:50 pm?

[ozbob]

5:50 pm?

Media management, wank-fest stuff hey?  lol

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Cedar Woods development wins partial approval

[#Metro]

I do believe the practice of releasing unsavoury information late on Friday is called "taking out the trash".