Green light to split canal block

Illustration above courtesy of Archestral.

Residents appear to have lost their campaign against plans to split a canal block in Newport.

There were 46 submissions, with many against a development application (DA) for “dual occupancy” on 665sqm at 32 Australia Ct.

The proposed two four-bedroom houses with five parking spaces “conflicted with the upmarket Newport character”, they said.

Submissions also described plans as a “proxy duplex” typical of Airbnb, student accommodation or share housing.

However, Moreton Bay City Councillors this week approved the proposal, with only Cr Sandra Ruck (Div 5) voting against it.

The DA was assessed on impact, not code, as the area is under 1000sqm and Cr Ruck took it to council for “determination” rather than “officer delegation”.

“The older area of Newport is a unique area and one of City of Moreton Bay’s treasures,” she said.

“I don’t think our residents are ‘not in my backyard’ (NIMBY) residents. They are wanting to preserve this area.”

Cr Ruck said older Newport is “characterised by low-density, low-rising housing with limited capacity for change” and “redevelopment of properties is unlikely”.

She said there were concerns in many submissions about the pontoon and ability to “moor a large boat, if the owner so desired”.

"This, along with Bribie Island, is the only area within City of Moreton Bay to have this. Thus making it unique.

“If we continue to take this path and not make any changes I am extremely worried that in the years to come, homes in the older Newport area will only be able to have tinnies moored at their pontoons due to dual occupancy,” Cr Ruck said.

Mayor Peter Flannery said he understood residents’ concerns but the DA “stacks up and ticks the boxes against our planning scheme”.

“While I support the local councillor, the planning scheme has given us a precedent for this.”

Cr Mark Booths said in neighbouring Courageous Ct a 772sqm block was subdivided in 2014 into two dwellings, each on 386sqm, with four car parks.

“On the balance of looking at that, I’m going to support the application”, he said.

Cr Ruck said she is “having discussions with council officers to push for an amendment to the current zoning for this area, to protect it the amenity for what it was intended for – large blocks for one residence each supporting a pontoon for large boat”.