PlanningAlerts

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1. After reviewing the previous version of the Ipswich Planning Scheme (the version in place when the development application for 123 Johnston St was submitted) and the current superseded planing request, it is evident this application must be rejected as it does not comply with requirements for an auxiliary unit.

   Prior to October 2018 the Ipswich Planing Scheme provided auxiliary unit requirements in the supplementary document, Implementation Guide No. 1. Page 1 of this document provides the following definition (provided here word for word);

   '“Auxiliary Unit” means a building or part of a building used as a secondary residence not exceeding 50m² gross floor area with a maximum of one bedroom which is attached to or associated with a dwelling on the same lot.'

   This superseded planing request has provided a floor plan (supporting information) showing a total auxiliary unit gross floor area of 73.1m2 ('living' floor area = 52.6m2; 'garage' floor area = 21.5m2). As both the total and 'living' floor areas exceed the allowable gross floor area for an auxiliary unit, this part of the building IS NOT an auxiliary unit. As such, this application cannot be approved.

   I must point out that 123 Johnston St is located within a residential area that is already highly populated (overpopulate) with auxiliary units - just look at Mark Winter Court, Western Court, Uldis Place (off Harris St) and the new development to begin at 18-20 Harris St (opposite Uldis Place); there are already almost 50 'auxiliary units' in this relatively small area (or soon will be once all approved auxiliary units have been built). None of these 'auxiliary units' are subservient to the main dwelling on the lot nor are they used for intergenerational housing as per the ICCs intended use of an auxiliary unit. Instead, they are treated as second dwellings and independently rented through real estate companies. How is this any different to dual occupancy?

   ICC - stop turning a blind eye to the abuse of the auxiliary unit and start looking after the current constituents as you are bound to do by law.

   The high density of supposed 'auxiliary units' in the area surrounding 123 Johnston St is ridiculous! And It most certainly does not meet the Ipswich Planning Scheme's definition of a low-density residential zone (defined as 10-15 dwellings per hectare).

2. Why is it the residents of Bellbird Park can clearly see the errors in the flurry of development approvals for our suburb but the paid council town planners cannot? This auxillary unit (duplex) does not meet the council guidelines. It is not situated on 800 m2 and exceeds the space requirement of 100m from existing duplex units in Mark Winter Court. Also its floor space is greater than 50m2 which exceeds that allowed by the council. It cannot be any clearer than this in the council guidelines...
   “Auxiliary Unit” means a building or part of a building used as a secondary residence not exceeding 50m² gross floor area with a maximum of one bedroom which is attached to or associated with a dwelling on the same lot.
   Council staff are paid by residents to maintain the guidelines not give in to every developer with a 'hare-brained plan'.

3. email program does not let you click on this link, just copy and paste it into your web browser and hit return.
   Your comment:
   It is abundantly clear that people who care about the fast disappearance of the unique quality of Bellbird are vehemently opposed to duplexes and Auxiliary units. The council must make it clear that they recognize the opposition to these "sneaky " ways of getting 2 families on one block and an extra room adding value to a house , the Auxiliary unit. As the council has opened the flood gate to these 2 unwelcomed guests in our suburb, now here we have the result, many people trying it on. It says in the Qlds planning system that residents will be part of the consultation system and their opinions be taken into consideration among the 22 references to "the community" in just 3 pages referring to 'Our" planning system. My question to council is that there is clearly no demonstrable recognition of community views on development in Bellbird park. It is clear that council is just paying lip service to community involvement. There is none. Council planners intimate without actually stating it that objections and concerns over inappropriate development are a waste of time, consider 'Happy Jack". Not only are developers driving a bulldozer through planning procedures but the granting of the even more extreme development of Duplexes and auxiliaries suited only to high-density developments in places like Springfield. When will the council take seriously our community opposition to not only uncontrolled development but giving a big tick to these totally inappropriate housing? Now listen clearly NO DUPLEXES AND AUXILIARIES TO BE APPROVED BY COUNCIL. Start by telling the applicants for this auxiliary application that the loop hole to building an extra room onto a house will not be tolerated. Make this the first auxiliary application to be rejected and why, so us residents do not have to say the same thing time and time again NO MORE DUPLEXES OR AUXILIARY UNITS IN BELLBIRD. See what I mean. Another trying it on thinking it is odds on that an application will be passed by council. Surely the Council must take account of Bellbird residents objections. The second attempt to increase the value of their house. Once upon a time applicants just b built one as an Assessable code. Now they have a compliant council planner, formally approving auxiliary units at a rapid rate of knots. the community have made it abundantly clear that these Auxiliaries are not welcome at all in Bellbird .Council listen to our community and show us that you listen to residents, rather than ignore them.Yeh fat chance.
   .Take noticre for once

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