| West Toowong Community
Association Inc NEWSLETTER What we've been doing February | April | June | The Built Environment | The Natural Environment | Late Breaking News February Its purpose is to achieve a sustainable management plan for the creek, based on the views of a variety of users/residents. These meetings have provided both opportunity for impact, and contact with others in the area. In the matter of the natural environment, Morag arranged Clean Up Australia working bees: the reach of the creek between Camp Street and Vera Street was scoured by a band of enthusiastic and wet volunteers. Rubbish removed from the creek amounted to 25 full bags, as well as a number of piles of unbaggable rubbish. The (we hope temporary) passing of a local institution "Bell's General Store" was noted and the Association is grateful to Sue Davis for her support. Finally, the Association's history project was launched. The Association began preparation of an applcation for a Brisbane City Council Local History Grant to support this project, and have also applied to the Gaming Community Benefit Fund. April We also heard "annual" reports. In terms of the Natural environment, John reported that the Waterways Management Plan process has found that (analytically) the Toowong Creek is relatively healthy: the main pollutants are from dog droppings (particularly near Oakman Park and TSHS) and litter either directly dropped into the creek, or washed in from the streets. A key issue for the creek, however, is the presence of non-native species. The group is steadily working on this problem. The final Waterways Management Plan will include guidelines for plantings and for care of the creek. The draft Local Area Plan was passed by Council in April, and is now with the state government for comment and possible amendment; it will be available for final public submission shortly and then be gazetted by the state government. Streets listed for rezoning include: Vera, Lodge, Warrawee and Soudan Streets, as well as parts of Fewings, Dean, Orchard and Bent Streets. This amounts to a significant step towards preservation of these areas; once the changes have been gazetted, however, there is a two year "grace" period during which the former zoning remains in effect. Further on the built environment, two applications to which the Association objected (one for two dwellings at 29 Lodge Street, and the other for a second dwelling and smaller-than-acceptable lot size on the creek bank at Bent Street) have been rejected by Council. This is great news as the former represented a significant increase in density as well as partial demolition of the existing house. The proposed new houses were also VERY large, resulting in a loss of precious green space. The creek-side development, as well as being likely to have a negative impact on the waterway (and downstream) involved the creation of two very small lots in a Res A area. We believe Council's rejection of these proposals partly refects the impact of the Association - just keeping them on their toes! May/June The Built
Environment As mentioned above the Association and a number of residents objected to the original and amended plans for development of 29 Lodge Street. The most recent plans involved demolition of part of the existing house, moving it to one side of the block and construction of a similar dwelling on the other side. Council has rejected the application! They expressed concerns that the demolition would seriously detract from the character of the house. This is a real win! 32 Bent Street is a 1912 workers cottage which has been added on to over the years and now houses 4 apartments. It was initially proposed that the house be demolished to make way for a town-house development which would effectively have covered the entire site, and required significant retaining walls. This was amended such that a second proposal retaining the house but with an attached house (comprising 3 units) at the rear has been approved. While not ideal, this is a better outcome than the loss of the house and the concreting of the whole block! 84 Bent
Street
40
Terrace Street Unfortunately, despite serious misgivings noted
in the public scrutiny file regarding this application, Council
has given approval. The option for appealing against this decision
remains open.
6
Soudan Street A developer has purchased 6 Soudan Street, and
proposed that the house be moved to one side of the site and three
attached townhouses be built in the back yard. The neighbours will
be affected significantly, as the new buildings directly abut their
boundary. As well, the proposed buildings are not in keeping with
the local character, environmentally-sound in design terms, or in
keeping with the Association's submission to the Local Area Plan.
We have contacted the developer expressing our concerns and requested
some compromises of mutual benefit. This application has now
formally been submitted; those wishing to may view the plans at
Councillor Magub's office (or at the Council offices in the city),
and prepare their objections. As this area is part of the proposed
Character Residential rezoning, the construction of 3 cheek-by-jowl
dwellings such a proposal is seriously out of character and the
Association will also be objecting. Please get in touch if you want
help in preparing your submission. The Natural
Environment So far, this process - which involves a number of residents as well as representatives from the local schools and the football club - has considered desired outcomes for the creek and drafted a "vision statement": Toowong Creek will be actively managed to protect and enhance the natural features of the creek in an urban setting. The Toowong Creek corridor will provide a focus for community recreation and be managed to ensure minimal impact on the environment of the creek. Ultimately, the plan will be used to both provide advice and guidelines for resident-initiated management, and "crucially" to act as a guide for future Council decsions which may impact on the creek. Please contact the secretary for further information. Contact:
Secretary 3870
3927, Media Officer
3870 0612 Next Meeting: Sunday, July 15th,.30 p.m. at Toowong State High School – all welcome Please note
meeting times for 2001 (All at TSHS): Late Breaking News!!!! - an application for a telecommunications facility at 257 Broseley Road has been submitted to Council. Plans may be viewed at the Ward Office or the Customer Service Centre, Brisbane Administration Centre.
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