Statement on Currumbin Hideaway development: Fraser

November 28 2006

Statement on Currumbin Hideaway development: Fraser

Local Government and Planning Minister Andrew Fraser today approved Devine Limited’s proposed Hideaway development at CurrumbinValley under strict conditions.

The State Government called-in the development application for re-assessment in September following submissions from local residents concerned at the potential environmental impact.

The 148-hectare development had previously been approved by the Gold Coast City Council and includes a 530-dwelling subdivision and artificial lake.

“It is immediately easy to understand why the community has expressed opposition to the development – it’s a very significant development, in an area today designated beyond the footprint of the SEQ Regional Plan,” Mr Fraser said.

“It is not as easy to understand why I must approve the development but it was not lawfully open to me to decide otherwise.

“In essence, the application called in relates to how development of the sort proposed would proceed on the site, not whether it would proceed.

“Whether or not the land could be cleared had been determined finally by the courts in November 2004.

“Whether or not development of this sort should occur on this site was determined finally in February 2005.

“Whether or not the development should be subject to full impact assessment was determined finally by the Planning and Environment Court in May 2006.

“Whether or not the development was subject to the SEQ Regional Plan was also determined by that same decision.

“The proponent in this instance has threaded a needle of narrow opportunity in taking the benefit of enduring rights under the superseded Albert Shire Planning Scheme.

“This development represents the echo of a different planning era, of a time before the SEQ Regional Plan took effect.

“The decision I have had to make confirms the virtue in legislating for a Regional Plan to ensure better planning outcomes into the future.”

Mr Fraser said tighter conditions had now been imposed on the development, particularly concerning water quality in the proposed lake and the protection of flora and fauna.

He said the decision notice specifically included conditions that:

• Required stricter compliance with water quality objectives for the proposed lake and requirements for protecting vegetation and

• Required the applicant to prepare management plans addressing matters including vegetation, lake design, ecological restoration, landscaping, acid sulphate soils and water quality.

“The application was called-in to assess the potential impacts on the site and an independent planning consultant was appointed to prepare a report assessing the merits of the application,” Mr Fraser said.

“A team of specialist consultants was also engaged to examine geotechnical stability, hydraulic engineering, traffic and civil engineering, acid sulfate soils and water quality, visual amenity, bushfire management and the resident flora and fauna.”

The proposed development site is bordered by Currumbin Creek Road, Hoffshildt Drive and Piggabeen Road at Currumbin.

Under the Integrated Planning Act the Local Government and Planning Minister can exercise call-in powers to re-assess development applications that have been approved or refused by local governments. In each case the Minister’s decision is final and not able to be appealed.

Media Contact: Chris Taylor 3227 8825 or 0419 710 874