By Mitch Gaynor
CONCERNED Beerwah residents say a proposal to turn an 1800sqm block into a multi-unit development on Nichols Avenue goes against the character of the neighbourhood and will result in a traffic and parking nightmare for parents and students coming to and from nearby schools.
A development application for 17 Nicholls Ave was lodged with the Sunshine Coast Council in September. The proposal is for a nine-unit complex in a medium density-zoned neighbourhood.
Developer, RMC Holdings 2.0 Pty Ltd, said the development would aid the area to achieve higher densities “which is highly sought after on the basis that the locality… is presently dominated by detached dwelling houses on large lots, despite the medium density zoning”.
But local residents including Lisa Melville said they were deeply concerned about the impact the development could have on the area.
“Nichols Avenue is a main thoroughfare to Woodgrove, Glasshouse Christian College and Beerwah State High,” she said.
“Many parents park in this street to walk and collect students. A multi-dwelling complex will add to the already compromised traffic flow. And if approved, more will follow, making the issue so much worse.”
She added that the design of the unit – including skillion colourbond roofs – went against the tradition character of the town.
“There are no other buildings in this street that are stark white and have skillion roofs,” Lisa said.
“The houses in this street and surrounding streets are single story brick with perhaps a shed in the backyard.
“It is a neighbourhood where we look out for each other. People in this street have chosen not to live in housing estates and built up areas.”
A Facebook post on the development gained over 80 comments, mostly concerned about over-development.
“The biggest problem is all this high density housing going up with little to no public transport,” Paul Morrison wrote. “One cab, no buses and a pretty poor train service. Has disaster written all over it.”
Others were concerned that despite more housing, rent prices were continuing to rise.
“The whole end near Old Landsborough will be all units soon. And the completed ones are being rented for $600 a week which is more then I’m paying for a house. It’s all a money grab,” Nicole Klaas wrote.
Division 1 Councillor Rick Baberowski said it was understandable that people wanted to hold on to the sense of character of country towns.
“I like to think that we have sent a signal over the years to developers that you have to consider local character,” he said.
Cr Baberowski said he encouraged residents to have their say to council regarding singular developments but also the new planning scheme that was currently under development.