We can’t stop people building on SMBI

/ Community, Environment / By

Short of us buying their land, we can’t stop people building on approved residential lots they own.

I and council have been criticised for allowing too much housing growth on the SMBI. This comes from people concerned about loss of trees and environmental impact, increased demand on public infrastructure, inadequate parking, a perceived general loss of amenity and our smaller community feel; where people knew each other, it was less noisy, and there was more peace and quiet, etc.

It is important to understand that council can not stop people building on approved residential lots. In summary:

  1. In 1970/71 SMBI was subdivided into residential lots, this was more than 50 years ago. At the time the islands were not part of any council, and the subdivision was approved by the state government.
  2. In Queensland, anyone owning a residential block of land is entitled to build on that block. This is regulated through the Queensland Building Regulation.
  3. There is no legal mechanism for council to stop the construction of houses compliant with Queensland Building Regulation.
  4. The only aspect of construction that Redland Council determines is compliance with wastewater treatment guidelines.

I will not support and Redland Council will not approve any further subdivisions on SMBI. Existing rural properties cannot be subdivided and residential lots owned by council are not being released to market.

Redland Council also encourages residents to purchase adjoining blocks and merge properties to reduce the number of residential blocks.  Merging lots reduces the rates payable.

Periodically, council has also implemented buy-back programs targeting environmentally sensitive areas and/or high bushfire risk areas to protect the environment, reduce bushfire hazard and reduce the cost of new infrastructure. While targeted buy-backs are still occurring, a mass buy-back program to reduce development is not economically viable given current property prices.  I will be continuing to argue within council for increased buy-backs, but the budget for this is limited.