Mt Coot-tha Archives - Bardon News

Issues Raised on Proposed Stuartholme School Sporting Precinct Development in Bardon

The Freer’s Farm Action Group has outlined several issues concerning the proposed redevelopment of the Freer’s Farm farm site in Bardon into a sporting precinct for Stuartholme School.

The group cites that they are not opposed to the plans per se (MID-1021-0542 – Stuartholme School) but there are potential problems that the developers need to address before the redevelopment gets a green light.

Among the most concerning issue is the sports field’s impact on flood levels, especially on the properties downstream. The group said that the flood modelling used in the proposal “don’t reflect actual historical flows.”

Photo Credit: The State of Queensland (Planning) / planning.dsdmip.qld.gov.au

Additionally, the earthworks within the flood zone call for filling land that will raise its level higher than the neighbouring properties. Essentially, this will remove the flood plain and increase the risk of flooding onto the other sites.

Freer’s Farm is near Sir Samuel Griffiths Drive and picnic areas at Hoop Pine and Silky Oak within the Mt Coot-the Reserve. The sports field may also cause parking and traffic issues at these sites.

The residents are also concerned about light and noise pollution when there are games at night that will likely bring ecological impacts to the wildlife, parkland users, and the neighbourhood. For years, most of the area at Freer’s Farm is completely free of artificial light at night.

Last week, some of the locals have met with representatives of the developer, Ethos Urban, Stuartholme School, and the consulting firm, Blight Tanner, to clearly discuss the concerns of the community. Cr Peter Matic was also in the said meeting.

According to the Freer’s Farm Action Group, the flood modelling used in the proposal is not accurate, thus they have asked for a revised model. The planners said they are willing to work with the community to deliver a final model that will be agreeable to all concerned.

The planners also acknowledged providing more information on the sports field lighting information. They have agreed to defer the start of construction to August 2022.

The MID submission, on the other hand, has been extended until 19 May 2022. Follow the guide on how to make a submission from this group.

Petition Created Urging Preservation of Sisters of Mercy Property in Bardon

A petition to protect and preserve the Sisters of Mercy site in Bardon has been set up, following an announcement that the sprawling property will be put up for sale. Local residents are concerned that a new residential development could destroy the surrounding areas of Mt Coot-tha.

Greens MP Michael Berkman said that Brisbane City Council could acquire the Sisters of Mercy property before it’s snapped up by developers. He said that Council may use the Bushland Acquisition Fund to save the site, where a potential new community hub can be established.

The Greens MP created the petition urging the Council to acquire the property. So far, the petition has gathered 2,000 signatures.

Because of its high ecological value, the Sisters of Mercy site is protected from tree clearing. However, residents want assurances that the protection will be strictly adhered to if a private developer buys the site.

Highlights

A petition has been set up to save the Sisters of Mercy site at the Mt Coot-tha hilltop in Bardon, which is up for sale.
Residents want Brisbane City Council to acquire the property instead of developers to preserve the bushlands.
City Planning Chair Krista Adams said that potential development for the site will be strictly assessed because of its high ecological value.

“After consulting broadly with the community, it’s clear to me that residents want the Sisters of Mercy site to be protected for generations to come,” Mr Berkman said.

“Unfortunately, the real estate agents are still claiming that buyers could build ‘multi-residential, retirement, gated community, health and wellness precincts or a major home site for a high-net-worth private investor.'”

Mr Berkman also wrote Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner to ask for his public confirmation “that developers will not be allowed to circumvent the constraints imposed and the ecological significance recognised in the relevant planning instruments.”

Council City Planning Chair Krista Adams said that it cannot commit to the property’s purchase but stated that any proposed development on the site would be strictly assessed during the planning stages.

Cushman & Wakefield Middle Markets is handling the sale of the Bardon property and the Expressions of Interest closed on 22 July. The outcome of the sale has not yet been revealed.

Celebrating Australia Day at Mt Coot-Tha

Australia Day is coming up on Saturday, 26 January 2019. For West Brisbane locals, there are several things that you can do at Mt Coot-tha to celebrate the holiday.

Here a few things that you can do at Mt Coot-tha on Australia Day.

Australia Day Run with the BTR Royal Family

Saturday, 26 January 2019 (6:00 a.m.)

To celebrate Australia Day the Brisbane Trail Runners (BTR) royal family, Team Duffus will be leading a run in Mt Coot-tha’s trails.

The run will start at 6:00 a.m. from the toilet block at J C Slaughter Falls. Runners will be divided into three groups and each will be led by three separate members of BTR’s Team Duffus.

The run will last for about 1.5-2 hours and all participants will meet back at the starting line. Those who wish to join will need to bring their own food and water.

Venue: J C Slaughter Falls, Sir Samuel Griffith Dr, Mount Coot-Tha

Free Guided Discovery Tours

Saturday, 26 January 2019 ( 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

If you prefer to explore Mt Coot-tha, this informative guided walk is for you. The Free Guided Discovery Tours explores the beautiful Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha which is led by volunteer guides.

Tours start at the Visitor Information Centre.

Bookings are not necessary. To learn more, call 07 3403 8888.

Venue: Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha

Australia Day Concert

Saturday, 26 January 2019 ( 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

Enjoy a free concert from the Brisbane Metropolitan Bands at the Bandstand on Australia day. You can bring a picnic and have a great time with your family whilst enjoying the afternoon’s live music.

Bookings are not necessary for the event. For more information, you may call Helen Johns on 0466 181 578.

Venue: Bandstand, Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha

Koala Survey to Help Create Green Zones in Bardon and Other Koala Habitat

A koala survey is being conducted to help create green zones that will protect bushland in Bardon, Mt Coot-tha, Wishart and other locations with high koala activity.

Brisbane City Council is using sniffing dogs to detect koala presence in 20 sites. The dogs are trained to locate koala scats (koala poo), which they can detect even after several months that the koala has moved away. Aside from detecting koala presence, the research is also studying gender, migration patterns and diseases plaguing the at-risk marsupial species.

“Between May and July, two highly trained detection dogs sniffed out 20 sites that Council has acquired as part of its Bushland Acquisition Program, to provide information on koala health, genetic diversity, breeding and movement behaviour,” said Acting Mayor Adrian Schrinner.

“The survey identified the presence of koalas at 17 of 20 sites explored, of which ten sites registered a significant amount of koala activity.”

Extremely high koala activity was observed in half of the bushlands surveyed over the past months. Among the areas with high koala activity are areas in Bardon, particularly in the Mt Coot-tha Reserve, Monoplane Street Park, and Bardon Esplanade Park.

Other areas with high koala activity include Belmont, Burbank, Mount Coot-tha, Wishart, Kuraby, McDowall, Anstead, Moggill, Alderley, Nathan and Mt Gravatt.

“Just three sites in the city’s southwest region were found to have no recent koala activity, Wally Tate Park (Kuraby), Blunder Creek Reserve (Doolandella), Fort Road Bushlands and Rocks Riverside Park (Seventeen Mile Rocks),” Cr Schrinner said.

Significance in Habitat Protection

The koala survey is important as it will guide the council in its Bushland Acquisition Program. The council purchases bushland and with significant koala activity.

“By identifying locations with high levels of koala activity in areas including Bardon, McDowall, Moggill and Alderley, Council can preserve koala habitat with targeted land purchases to create green wildlife corridors and wildlife movement zones along roadways,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Close to 500 hectares of bushland has been purchased by Council since 2016 and an additional 250 hectares is planned for purchase by 2020, with priority given to areas adjoining confirmed koala habitat.”

Aside from green corridors and bushland acquisition, the council also implements other actions to protect the koalas. Find out more about the Council programs protecting Australia’s most iconic animal.