Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has lauded the Council purchase of a well-known north Brisbane bushland site as a major victory for the community and a milestone for bushland across the city.
Council has purchased the six hectares tract of bushland at Stafford Heights, after a 15-year fight to stop development on the environmentally important site.
“This purchase means we have delivered on our promise of saving more than 750 hectares of bushland, which is equivalent to more than 100 Suncorp Stadiums, in less than four years,” Cr Schrinner said.
“This land is of important strategic significance, it will be protected from development and will continue to be a greenspace for the community, and an important koala habitat area.
“There has been a fierce determination by the local residents and this Council to protect this land from inappropriate development and we have prevailed.”
McDowall Ward Councillor Tracy Davis said securing 818 Rode Road was a huge victory for the community as the well-known site was covered in vegetation and home to birds and wildlife.
“This land is important habitat for local wildlife in the area along the Downfall Creek ecological corridor and is also known to be home to wallabies and bird species,” she said.
“Council originally offered to purchase and protect this bushland in 2004 when it was originally owned by the State Government, but the State refused.
“Despite Council refusing a development application proposed by Blue Care on this site, the State Government subsequently stepped in and approved the development.
“Council then rejected a development application for an aged care facility, a medical facility and a child care centre on the site in 2006.
“Most recently I ran a campaign to have the State Government refuse attempts to extend the period for this site to be developed, which I am pleased has been successful.”
Marchant Ward Councillor Fiona Hammond said the purchase of the land would be welcomed by north side residents.
“I am glad Council and the current land owner could mutually agree on the significance of this land and the need for it to be preserved,” Cr Hammond said.
“Council will ensure the protection and restoration of this important habitat now and into the future.”
“This land was purchased by council for less than what the owners paid for it in 2006, so it is a great result all round,” Cr Hammond said.
It will be preserved as green space for the community and add to more than 9000 hectares of bushland citywide owned by Council.
The Council’s bushland target in now sitting at 752 hectares of land purchased against the Bushland Acquisition Program’s 750ha target.
Council is protecting bushland across Brisbane, including Sunnybank Hill, Karawatha, Kholo and Burbank.