A leading residential developer has started the process to get environmental approval to build on a giant parcel of land on the southern Sunshine Coast.
Stockland will seek consent for the site, dubbed Aura South, which is directly adjacent to its award-winning masterplanned community Aura.
It’s positioned within the Halls Creek Potential Future Growth Area.
The area has been recognised by the State Government as an option to accommodate future population growth and meet the region’s demand for long-term housing needs.
The site is a cleared former pine plantation landholding spanning 1231 hectares (3041 acres).
It would have direct access to the soon-to-be-opened Bells Creek Arterial Road and the Bruce Highway.
The site is situated between 1.6km to 6km east of the Bruce Highway and would not be visible to any highway traffic.
Submitting Aura South for independent environmental assessment by the Commonwealth is the first step in assessing the site’s environmental impacts and suitability for future development.
There will also be opportunities for community involvement.
The Commonwealth’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act provides the legal framework to assess the proposed impact the application may have on matters of national environmental significance.
Stockland senior environment and community development manager Mark Stephens said large parts of Aura South were cleared for forestry activities about 50 years ago and are now primarily used for grazing purposes.
Extensive environmental investigations have been undertaken on the site for more than 15 years, which has informed the application Stockland has submitted to the Federal Government.
“We have submitted a balanced and sustainable proposal which will ensure environmental protections are secured in advance of any future detailed planning,” Mr Stephens said via a media release.
“The EPBC is a rigorous and scientific-based assessment that includes several opportunities for the community to have their say.”
Mr Stephens said the land was highly suitable to be considered for development, given it is elevated, largely flood free and can leverage the significant investment undertaken by the government for roads and schools, as well as taking advantage of the existing amenities in the neighbouring suburb of Aura.
The site is located about 1.5km north of the ShapingSEQ Regional Inter-Urban Break – a 16km green buffer separating the urban areas of Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast.
“We recognise the Inter-Urban Break, which is identified in the 2017 SEQ Regional Plan, and the Aura South proposal does not impact upon this in any way,” Mr Stephens said.
“Stockland’s application proposes to establish a regenerated natural buffer zone on the southern side, which has an ability to increase the Inter-Urban Break in the future should Aura South be supported.”
If approved for future development, more 400 hectares of the land – one-third of the site – is planned to be rehabilitated, which will restore environmental values lost during the forestry era, including the reintroduction of native plant species.
Studies conducted during the past decade have not detected any koalas or migratory birds on the land.
As part of the EPBC submission, Stockland has committed to protect the Pumicestone Passage with enhanced buffers to ensure water quality is protected.
Aura South does not have any coastal, river or creek frontage and the potential future development area is located more than 3km west of the Pumicestone Passage.
“Stockland’s vision for Aura South is for it to be one of the most sustainable communities in the country,” Mr Stephens said.
“We look forward to an open dialogue with the community and all levels of government to share our vision and approach to protect the environmental values of the site through the EPBC assessment process.”
“We have a 20-year history of creating connected, sustainable communities on the Sunshine Coast that has seen nearly 21,000 homes created for Sunshine Coast families.
“This includes the planning and delivery of critical community infrastructure, including town centres, bridges, arterial roads and major parklands, which will facilitate additional housing and employment opportunities.”
For more information, visit Stockland – Aura South.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
