This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE Queensland government has conditionally approved 3 Group’s proposed redevelopment of the controversial Arundel Hills Country Club site.
3 Group is planning to develop 380 new homesites to house up to 1,200 people with 59% of the site dedicated to environmental protection uses and public open space.
The state planning regulatory body SARA (State Assessment Referral Agency) has now informed the developers that it is satisfied with its proposal based on certain conditions being met in relation to traffic management, koala habitat and preservation of vegetation.
The proposed redevelopment includes dedicating a significant portion of the 67ha site to open space and koala habitat.
“The state government’s conditional approval of this vital development is a very welcome turn of events that demonstrates the merits of what we are proposing,” said Steven Kleytman, CEO at 3 Group.
“We sought town planning advice in relation to our proposal to create a sustainable redevelopment of the abandoned Arundel Hills Country Club and this proposal, subject to conditions, has been approved by the Queensland Government.”
“The conditional approval by SARA is a significant validation of the proposal although it is still subject to consideration by the Gold Coast City Council.”
The master plan for the Arundel Hills Country Club redevelopment will see the once private golf club opened up to the broader community.
With the developers the gifting of a large portion of the site to AB Paterson College for sporting fields and indoor stadiums in addition to conservation uses.
The new sporting hub will include six tennis courts, two indoor basketball courts, two outdoor basketball courts, an indoor environmental centre for environmental studies, and an AFL-sized field to be used as a multi-purpose facility.
The conditions issued by SARA include:
- Preparing a detailed koala management plan, including the planting of at least 2,257 koala habitat trees on site.
- Educating landowners about living in an area with koalas.
- Providing koala-friendly measures such as koala-awareness signage, koala-safe road crossing measures, a koala-friendly underpass, one-way Koala exclusion fencing and traffic calming devices.
- Transferring to council ownership of the area specifically identified as a sports and recreation park in the master plan.
- Upgrading the Brisbane Road-Arundel Drive intersection.
- Providing internal pedestrian connections.
“These conditions closely align with our original intentions that in addition to providing much-needed housing for the Gold Coast, we will also be unlocking a lasting environmental legacy for the local community,” added Kleytman.
“We are now looking forward to the City of Gold Coast to also acknowledge the merits of this important project.”
