Protect our community & wildlife from the Freer's Farm Development
Protect our community & wildlife from the Freer's Farm Development
The issue
Thank you for your interest in protecting Mount Coot-tha, local wildlife, and our community from the serious consequences of the Freer’s Farm Development Application should it be approved in its current form.
The Freers Farm site is a unique site located at the gateway to one of Brisbane’s premier visitor destinations, the Mt Coot-tha Parklands. It is currently a very scenic large rural site surrounded on all sides by recognised and protected significant environmental areas. The topography and location means the site has little attachment to any urban area but is integral to the green space amenity of Mt Coot-tha. The whole area is almost completely free of artificial light at night. The area is widely valued as a haven for wildlife. Powerful owls, echidnas, wallabies, gliders, bandicoots, koalas and many other bird varieties all live in the immediate vicinity and are sighted with some regularity.
This development will bring a very significant change in use. It will have a considerable detrimental impact on neighbours, Mt Coot-tha parkland users and the local wildlife and ecology.
Aside from the increased flood risk for several hundred residents living immediately downstream, the proposed hours of use are most unreasonable and are well beyond what is required for normal school operations. The extended hours of use, particularly at night, give rise to a raft of significant problems including light, noise, traffic, parking, loss of amenity and real concerns for local wildlife.
We need all local residents and frequenters of Mount Coot-tha to contact the relevant decision-makers. This development could cause far more severe flooding events, as well as noise and light pollution impacting the peaceful enjoyment of Mount Coot-tha, and loss of endangered wildlife by impacting corridors. Please share this petition far and wide, and talk to your friends and neighbours to encourage them to act!
ISSUES OF CONCERN REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR FREER'S FARM:
This development will have a considerable detrimental impact on neighbours and Mt Coot-tha parkland users.
Aside from significant flood concerns, the proposed hours of use are most unreasonable and are well beyond what is required for normal school operations. Proposed hours of use are 6am until 10pm, 7 days a week.
The consultant reports provided in support of the MID application contain numerous material errors and flaws. The consultant reports cannot be relied on in support of the application for a MID. These material errors include:
FLOODING & STORMWATER:
1. Flood and overland flow assumptions are wrong, don’t reflect actual historical flows.
2. Proposed new stormwater channel design is inadequate for intended use.
3. Reports fail to account for the existing 2nd and 3rd drainage channels in flow assessments.
4. Incorrect calculation of nil change in flood risk to neighbouring properties due to reliance on incorrect flow assumptions and stormwater design errors.
5. Earthworks inside flood zone will fill land to level higher than neighbouring properties, removing flood plain and increasing flood risk to others.
6. No assessment of likely reoccurring damage to artificial sports fields and consequential waterway pollution.
7. The flood and stormwater reports are heavily qualified by the consultants and are preliminary in nature until further studies completed – these reports should not be relied on by Minister given risk levels.
8. The increased flood risk to others imposes unjustifiable personal mental health and financial costs on the downstream residents. It is unthinkable that the state would approve the development without being absolutely certain that there are no adverse flood consequences. Given the variable nature of every flooding event it is most unlikely the necessary level of certainty can be met.
ECOLOGY & WILDLIFE
9. The ecology report fails to consider use of land, context of location nor the effect of light and noise on either subject site or the surrounding environmental protection areas. This report is materially flawed and cannot be relied on.
10. No report or proper assessment of impact on endangered powerful owls resident in immediate vicinity on adjacent land. There is no nocturnal or aquatic wildlife assessment.
11. Ecology report findings do not reflect known wildlife habitat, and movement in the area. The site provides a corridor as well as providing foraging habitat for many creatures.
12. There is no undertaking by school to fully rehabilitate the section of Ithaca Creek on the site by clearing all weeds, rehabilitating with endemic species and maintaining it indefinitely in a weed free, ecologically friendly manner. All rehabilitation works should be to the waterline of the creek. This should be a condition of any approval.
TRAFFIC, PARKING & ROAD-WIDENING
13. The local area already suffers from parking problems overflowing from Mt Coot-tha and the school. The traffic report incorrectly calculates student numbers and numbers of likely concurrent site users, unreliable traffic study conducted, no proper consideration of pre-existing safety issues relating to cyclists or Mt Coot-tha parklands parking. No consideration for increases in student parking.
14. Proposed new carparking area has less than 30% of the carparking required by Brisbane City Council. Proposed bus parking on street or in adjacent layover area is not feasible or available on weekends.
15. No allowance made for boat trailer or dinghy parking in new car park area which reduces the proposed overall car park availability even more (by two cars per boat trailer).
16. Road widening plan is very vague and not supported by any detail. There is insufficient road shoulder space to construct the proposed right hand turn lane without encroaching onto parkland for embankment retention. This is already a dangerous area for cyclists.
ACOUSTICS & NOISE POLLUTION:
17. The area is currently a very quiet rural type area with very limited artificial noise.
18. Acoustic report contains no assessment/ comparison of the noise created by proposed sports field use ( netball, hockey are very noisy sports with constant whistle use, yelling etc, large open grandstand seating). The comparative noise scenarios used in the report are irrelevant. The acoustic and noise reports are materially flawed.
19. If approved as proposed, users of site will not have to comply with the noise restrictions of the Environment Protection Act 1994 (Qld). There will be no enforceable limits on noise. This should not be acceptable to the Minister. The EPA noise restrictions must be specifically enforceable by way of a condition of approval.
20. If approved, it should be a condition that no school bell, siren or PA should be permitted on site.
ARTIFICIAL LIGHT, GENERAL LOSS OF AMENITY, HOURS OF USE
21. The change in use and associated extensive night flood lighting will, quite obviously, fundamentally and adversely change the amenity of the entire area and affect everyone who visits or lives locally.
22. There is no report, consideration or assessment of the impact of this artificial lighting on neighbours, local residents, users of Mt Coot-tha Parklands or nocturnal wildlife.
23. There is no report, consideration or assessment of loss of amenity for neighbours, local residents and Mt Coot-tha Parkland users
24. There is no report, consideration or assessment of the impacts on the adjacent high value state owned tourism asset.
25. If approved, it should be a condition of approval that no sports field lighting is allowed on this site.
26. If approved, the permitted Hours of Use should be limited to the hours the school has already said that it requires for its internal purposes ie:
a. All sports fields: - 6.30 am – 5 pm Weekdays and and 7am – 3pm on Saturdays
b. Building: 6 am – 6.30pm seven days per week, with some exception for use until midnight for the occasional internal school function being limited to no more than 6 occasions per year.
27. Similarly, if approved, it should be a condition of use that the building should be unlit when not in use at nighttime (as it currently is).
COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
28. Public engagement in the process has been almost non-existent, public considerably misled as to the extent of the hours of use sought for the development, extremely limited public awareness of what is proposed.
29. The school has given very limited consideration to the consequences for its local community. It has misled the community about the possible extent and permissable hours of use sought.
NO PUBLIC BENEFIT
30. There are no public benefits when compared with the adverse consequences and unreasonable interference in the lives of local residents and park users.
31. No community improvements are planned – no green space, no public transport improvements, no change to public access or external footpaths, no improvements for cyclists, no unpaid public use of sports facilities, no responsibility for ongoing maintenance or contributions to maintenance of relevant section of creek and creek banks.
32. Any public access to the sports facility will be via commercial users only – eg sports club membership, gym membership, rental on building.
Ø Site listed on Qld Environmental Management Register
33. The site is listed on the Qld State Environmental Management Register. The MID application is silent as to the EMR listing. No contaminated land assessment performed. No remediation plan or decontamination plan is proposed.
It can be seen that the information provided in support of the proposed redevelopment contains many errors, significant omissions, is misleading, vague and unreliable.
This development, as proposed, will unreasonably, substantially and permanently interfere in the lives of many others in the community with no benefit to the non-school community.
In the circumstances, and given the unique nature and location of the site the Minister should not allow the development to proceed as proposed because of the serious adverse impacts it will have on local residents, Mt Coot-tha parkland users and wildlife. The proposal cannot be supported.
FURTHER ACTIONS NECESSARY:
Sign this petition and share it widely. We are also asking you to please contact the decision-makers directly to voice your concerns:
Mr Stephen Miles MP, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development and let him know your concerns asap. Mr Miles was previously our local MP and is familiar with the area. He is the Minister who will be making the MID decision. Deputy.premier@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Mr Stephen Miles MP
DEPUTY PREMIER’S OFFICE
PO Box 48
Brisbane QLD 4001
Mr Peter Matic ( BCC councillor) and let him know what your concerns are - list them out. We need council to know that there is considerable community concern, not just a couple of people, so please could you drop him a short note. Paddington.ward@bcc.qld.gov.au
Mr Peter Matic
44 Latrobe Terrace
Paddington Qld 4064
Ethos Urban Town Planners. The contact is Ashley Everton. He has indicated he is prepared to answer queries about the development. Aeverton@ethosurban.com
STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE CAMPAIGN:
Please join the Facebook page ‘Freers Farm Action Group’ as we will continue to post more info here. And continue to spread the word to your neighbours, friends, family and all those who enjoy spending time at Mt Coot-tha.
107
The issue
Thank you for your interest in protecting Mount Coot-tha, local wildlife, and our community from the serious consequences of the Freer’s Farm Development Application should it be approved in its current form.
The Freers Farm site is a unique site located at the gateway to one of Brisbane’s premier visitor destinations, the Mt Coot-tha Parklands. It is currently a very scenic large rural site surrounded on all sides by recognised and protected significant environmental areas. The topography and location means the site has little attachment to any urban area but is integral to the green space amenity of Mt Coot-tha. The whole area is almost completely free of artificial light at night. The area is widely valued as a haven for wildlife. Powerful owls, echidnas, wallabies, gliders, bandicoots, koalas and many other bird varieties all live in the immediate vicinity and are sighted with some regularity.
This development will bring a very significant change in use. It will have a considerable detrimental impact on neighbours, Mt Coot-tha parkland users and the local wildlife and ecology.
Aside from the increased flood risk for several hundred residents living immediately downstream, the proposed hours of use are most unreasonable and are well beyond what is required for normal school operations. The extended hours of use, particularly at night, give rise to a raft of significant problems including light, noise, traffic, parking, loss of amenity and real concerns for local wildlife.
We need all local residents and frequenters of Mount Coot-tha to contact the relevant decision-makers. This development could cause far more severe flooding events, as well as noise and light pollution impacting the peaceful enjoyment of Mount Coot-tha, and loss of endangered wildlife by impacting corridors. Please share this petition far and wide, and talk to your friends and neighbours to encourage them to act!
ISSUES OF CONCERN REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR FREER'S FARM:
This development will have a considerable detrimental impact on neighbours and Mt Coot-tha parkland users.
Aside from significant flood concerns, the proposed hours of use are most unreasonable and are well beyond what is required for normal school operations. Proposed hours of use are 6am until 10pm, 7 days a week.
The consultant reports provided in support of the MID application contain numerous material errors and flaws. The consultant reports cannot be relied on in support of the application for a MID. These material errors include:
FLOODING & STORMWATER:
1. Flood and overland flow assumptions are wrong, don’t reflect actual historical flows.
2. Proposed new stormwater channel design is inadequate for intended use.
3. Reports fail to account for the existing 2nd and 3rd drainage channels in flow assessments.
4. Incorrect calculation of nil change in flood risk to neighbouring properties due to reliance on incorrect flow assumptions and stormwater design errors.
5. Earthworks inside flood zone will fill land to level higher than neighbouring properties, removing flood plain and increasing flood risk to others.
6. No assessment of likely reoccurring damage to artificial sports fields and consequential waterway pollution.
7. The flood and stormwater reports are heavily qualified by the consultants and are preliminary in nature until further studies completed – these reports should not be relied on by Minister given risk levels.
8. The increased flood risk to others imposes unjustifiable personal mental health and financial costs on the downstream residents. It is unthinkable that the state would approve the development without being absolutely certain that there are no adverse flood consequences. Given the variable nature of every flooding event it is most unlikely the necessary level of certainty can be met.
ECOLOGY & WILDLIFE
9. The ecology report fails to consider use of land, context of location nor the effect of light and noise on either subject site or the surrounding environmental protection areas. This report is materially flawed and cannot be relied on.
10. No report or proper assessment of impact on endangered powerful owls resident in immediate vicinity on adjacent land. There is no nocturnal or aquatic wildlife assessment.
11. Ecology report findings do not reflect known wildlife habitat, and movement in the area. The site provides a corridor as well as providing foraging habitat for many creatures.
12. There is no undertaking by school to fully rehabilitate the section of Ithaca Creek on the site by clearing all weeds, rehabilitating with endemic species and maintaining it indefinitely in a weed free, ecologically friendly manner. All rehabilitation works should be to the waterline of the creek. This should be a condition of any approval.
TRAFFIC, PARKING & ROAD-WIDENING
13. The local area already suffers from parking problems overflowing from Mt Coot-tha and the school. The traffic report incorrectly calculates student numbers and numbers of likely concurrent site users, unreliable traffic study conducted, no proper consideration of pre-existing safety issues relating to cyclists or Mt Coot-tha parklands parking. No consideration for increases in student parking.
14. Proposed new carparking area has less than 30% of the carparking required by Brisbane City Council. Proposed bus parking on street or in adjacent layover area is not feasible or available on weekends.
15. No allowance made for boat trailer or dinghy parking in new car park area which reduces the proposed overall car park availability even more (by two cars per boat trailer).
16. Road widening plan is very vague and not supported by any detail. There is insufficient road shoulder space to construct the proposed right hand turn lane without encroaching onto parkland for embankment retention. This is already a dangerous area for cyclists.
ACOUSTICS & NOISE POLLUTION:
17. The area is currently a very quiet rural type area with very limited artificial noise.
18. Acoustic report contains no assessment/ comparison of the noise created by proposed sports field use ( netball, hockey are very noisy sports with constant whistle use, yelling etc, large open grandstand seating). The comparative noise scenarios used in the report are irrelevant. The acoustic and noise reports are materially flawed.
19. If approved as proposed, users of site will not have to comply with the noise restrictions of the Environment Protection Act 1994 (Qld). There will be no enforceable limits on noise. This should not be acceptable to the Minister. The EPA noise restrictions must be specifically enforceable by way of a condition of approval.
20. If approved, it should be a condition that no school bell, siren or PA should be permitted on site.
ARTIFICIAL LIGHT, GENERAL LOSS OF AMENITY, HOURS OF USE
21. The change in use and associated extensive night flood lighting will, quite obviously, fundamentally and adversely change the amenity of the entire area and affect everyone who visits or lives locally.
22. There is no report, consideration or assessment of the impact of this artificial lighting on neighbours, local residents, users of Mt Coot-tha Parklands or nocturnal wildlife.
23. There is no report, consideration or assessment of loss of amenity for neighbours, local residents and Mt Coot-tha Parkland users
24. There is no report, consideration or assessment of the impacts on the adjacent high value state owned tourism asset.
25. If approved, it should be a condition of approval that no sports field lighting is allowed on this site.
26. If approved, the permitted Hours of Use should be limited to the hours the school has already said that it requires for its internal purposes ie:
a. All sports fields: - 6.30 am – 5 pm Weekdays and and 7am – 3pm on Saturdays
b. Building: 6 am – 6.30pm seven days per week, with some exception for use until midnight for the occasional internal school function being limited to no more than 6 occasions per year.
27. Similarly, if approved, it should be a condition of use that the building should be unlit when not in use at nighttime (as it currently is).
COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
28. Public engagement in the process has been almost non-existent, public considerably misled as to the extent of the hours of use sought for the development, extremely limited public awareness of what is proposed.
29. The school has given very limited consideration to the consequences for its local community. It has misled the community about the possible extent and permissable hours of use sought.
NO PUBLIC BENEFIT
30. There are no public benefits when compared with the adverse consequences and unreasonable interference in the lives of local residents and park users.
31. No community improvements are planned – no green space, no public transport improvements, no change to public access or external footpaths, no improvements for cyclists, no unpaid public use of sports facilities, no responsibility for ongoing maintenance or contributions to maintenance of relevant section of creek and creek banks.
32. Any public access to the sports facility will be via commercial users only – eg sports club membership, gym membership, rental on building.
Ø Site listed on Qld Environmental Management Register
33. The site is listed on the Qld State Environmental Management Register. The MID application is silent as to the EMR listing. No contaminated land assessment performed. No remediation plan or decontamination plan is proposed.
It can be seen that the information provided in support of the proposed redevelopment contains many errors, significant omissions, is misleading, vague and unreliable.
This development, as proposed, will unreasonably, substantially and permanently interfere in the lives of many others in the community with no benefit to the non-school community.
In the circumstances, and given the unique nature and location of the site the Minister should not allow the development to proceed as proposed because of the serious adverse impacts it will have on local residents, Mt Coot-tha parkland users and wildlife. The proposal cannot be supported.
FURTHER ACTIONS NECESSARY:
Sign this petition and share it widely. We are also asking you to please contact the decision-makers directly to voice your concerns:
Mr Stephen Miles MP, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development and let him know your concerns asap. Mr Miles was previously our local MP and is familiar with the area. He is the Minister who will be making the MID decision. Deputy.premier@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Mr Stephen Miles MP
DEPUTY PREMIER’S OFFICE
PO Box 48
Brisbane QLD 4001
Mr Peter Matic ( BCC councillor) and let him know what your concerns are - list them out. We need council to know that there is considerable community concern, not just a couple of people, so please could you drop him a short note. Paddington.ward@bcc.qld.gov.au
Mr Peter Matic
44 Latrobe Terrace
Paddington Qld 4064
Ethos Urban Town Planners. The contact is Ashley Everton. He has indicated he is prepared to answer queries about the development. Aeverton@ethosurban.com
STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE CAMPAIGN:
Please join the Facebook page ‘Freers Farm Action Group’ as we will continue to post more info here. And continue to spread the word to your neighbours, friends, family and all those who enjoy spending time at Mt Coot-tha.
107
Petition Updates
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Petition created on 20 May 2022