Keep Deagon Special ::  Oppose re-zoning plans & unreasonable development

We, the undersigned residents of Deagon and surrounding suburbs, call on the Brisbane City Council to remove from its Draft Sandgate District Neighbourhood Plan the rezoning of parts of Deagon to low-medium density housing

Brisbane City Council has proposed redevelopment and rezoning plans on our very special community at Deagon with very little notice and opportunity for community consultation.

We wish to maintain the character, culture and lifestyle of Deagon as it is, and to also avoid issues such as traffic congestion. 

This type of "Neighbourhood Plan" is sprung on cities Australia wide and often manipulated to favour unreasonable development and rezoning plans which do not work for the greater good. If we the people do not take an active part in how we wish to live, grow and expand, these types of plans will be rammed through. Adequate time for public consultation has not been given in this case so we must act FAST.

Some reasons as to why we ask this includes (and is not limited to)

Impact on lifestyle and community :: We chose to live here because of the great vibe of this area, its quiet, unhurried, peaceful lifestyle, low density living; friendly community. We don’t want to end up like Nundah / Banyo / Zillmere where incongruent development detracts from asthetics and creates unreasonable environmental clashes.

High density housing around the station is unnecessary :: This is better to be placed as closer to the city, as most people commute to the city from 4017 because they enjoy the peace living out further offers. BCC are trying to create “hubs” without good reason Sandgate was always the holiday destination for city folks, hence why it’s so special. Let’s keep it this way!

Impact on streetscape of having dominating buildings blocking breeze and light; less green; less amenity :: The scale of these buildings will obstruct current bay breezes, one of the best features of living in Deagon.

Impact on character housing :: Character houses will either disappear or become dwarfed by neighbouring concrete structures. Cheap, homogenous housing will spread everywhere once it gets a foothold as proposed by this plan.

Loss of old heritage trees and other vegetation :: These proposed buildings will take up entire properties with no provision for retaining old, established trees. There will be much less greenery, and much more concrete which means hotter summers which impacts on wildlife, birdlife, ecology, natural beauty of the area. Deagon is adjacent to the wetlands and Cabbage Tree Creek ecosystem – invites fauna to the area. People enjoy cycling through the area.

Deagon is unique!

Deagon has already suffered from the impacts of Gateway redevelopment e.g. loss of vegetation has increased highway noise for residents; rat running to avoid Braun St congestion. 

Impact of increased number of vehicles in streets that are already at capacity due to high rates of commuter parking.

Impact on traffic :: Limited access points in and out of the eastern side of Deagon.

Soil Stability :: reactive; impacts of acid sulphate release

Higher density is not needed to meet population projections. This rezoning is not necessary to meet projected population increases. They say they need a 0.4% increase by 2046 which translates to 40 extra people in the Deagon area. This is easily achievable by current trend of subdividing blocks and increasing tenancies.

Risk of future expansion into other parts of Deagon :: If approved this is likely to be just the beginning of the end of our special culture and character we have in Deagon.

Poor Council processes have been applied so far. This includes

Questionable consultation process.

Limited time for community consultation :: only a few weeks was given once “the grapevine” sounded the alert

Information sessions held only a few days prior to close of submissions
Council has not notified residents individually of the rezoning plans – this is appalling when it involves such a massive change to our suburb.

BCC plan details can be found here -> https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/planning-and-building/planning-guidelines-and-tools/neighbourhood-planning-and-urban-renewal/neighbourhood-plans-and-other-local-planning-projects/sandgate-district-neighbourhood-plan