Developer Adds Koala Corridor to Redland Townhouse Project

Brisbane-based townhouse developer AR Developments has filed plans for 122 units south-east of the Queensland capital—and several hundred homes for wayward koalas right next door.

In a development application before the Redlands City Council, AR Developers have asked for a material change of use for a 4.65ha site upon which they plan 20 quadplex units, eight duplexes and seven triplexes plus parking for 254 vehicles.

But nearly 15,000sq m of the land on Kinross Road in Thornlands will be rehabilitated to create what the developers call a corridor for koalas.

The proposed development supports an open-space area in the southern part of the site where koala habitat trees will be retained and protected, and “disturbed habitats rehabilitated to provide koala habitat linkages”.

Up to 500 native canopy trees will be planted across the roughly 1.5ha, according to a rehabilitation plan put together by BAAM Ecological Consultants, and already approved by Redlands. Thousands of sub-canopy, shrub and groundcover species will also be added.

BAAM, working with another Brisbane company, Andrew Gold Landscape Architecture, identified tree species that were previously recorded on the site as well as others native to the area. Many of those, such as scribbly gums and brushboxes, are described as koala-preferred food trees.

Twenty-six trees will be removed for the housing development but replaced at a ratio of three-to-one. The application says “a qualified fauna spotter will inspect the trees prior to any clearing and will remain during clearing if deemed necessary”.

Once completed, Redland has asked for a two-year maintenance program for the area, including watering, weeding, and fertilising.

Wildlife exclusion fencing—designed to prevent wallabies, koalas and other ground-moving wildlife from leaving the rehabilitation area into developed areas and roadways—will be installed along the northern and western boundaries of the bushland.

The rehabilitation plan calls for the southern boundary to be left unfenced so wildlife from outside the area can safely move through the corridor.

▲ AR Developments is asking to build 122 townhouses of varying sizes.

AR Developments has been developing and building turnkey townhouses across south-east Queensland for more than 20 years. They acquired the land for their latest development about two years ago, purchasing it with approval for a subdivision.

Urban planners Wolter Consulting Group, who filed the application on behalf of AR Developments, said the site coverage of housing would be about 45 per cent of the property with one and two storey units up to 7.44m—well below the 8.5m maximum allowable height.

The minimum lot size will be 400sq m, with minimum frontages of 10 metres. The dwellings will “promote a subtropical design character through eaves, patios or porches, and the integration of landscaping elements”.

The development will include an extension to McBride Circuit, a widening of Kinross Road, plus a roundabout where the two intersect with Highfield Avenue. Trunk works to sewage, drainage, power, water and telecommunications will be needed.

Koalas are listed as vulnerable under Queensland and federal law.

In February 2020, Queensland’s department of environment and science strengthened regulations for koala habitat areas (KHA) in south-east Queensland. 

Redland sits in Koala District A—the area with the highest koala population density, but because of that, also one of the most highly threatened due to habitat loss.

This week news broke that the Queensland government had taken the extraordinary step of commandeering the Redland City Council’s housing strategy. 

In a letter sent to the Redland City Council Deputy Premier Steven Miles said he would be exercising powers under the planning act to “urgently undertake the strategy and consider what amendments are needed to the City Plan to facilitate the range of housing needs identified by the strategy”.