Australia Reserve, Modbury - future development & upgrade

Update - April 2021

At its meeting on 13 April 2021, Council resolved to dispose of a development site at 13 Australia Avenue, Modbury (approx 4,000sqm) which was formerly part of Australia Reserve (approx 12,200sqm). Council will invite proposals to develop the site for housing via an Open Tender process.

More information (within the Council report) is available here.

Update - August 2020

At its meeting on 25 August 2020, Council considered the feedback received from the Minister for Planning regarding the community land classification of two portions of the reserve. The Minister supported the proposed revocation and Council subsequently resolved to revoke the community land classification of two portions of the reserve to enable road widening for indented parking along Australia Avenue and a housing development.

Council is proceeding with the road works on Australia Avenue this financial year (2020/2021) having received Federal funding from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. The work will include:

• Construction of approximately 50 indented parking spaces
• 180m of new footpaths
• Lighting on portion of Australia Reserve
• Widening of the Australia Avenue and Smart Road intersection to include simultaneous left and right turn movements onto Smart Road from Australia Avenue.

Council will proceed with a land division to create the housing site and will consider a preferred disposal process at a future Council meeting. Upgrade of the park will occur as soon as possible, and at a time that will avoid potential conflict and damage from site works associated with the housing development.

Council decision/outcomes

During the consultation period for stage 2, we received 59 feedback responses. Feedback was sought on a proposed concept, which was based on Concept 1 from the stage 1 consultation, with amendments. Of the responses received, 61% (36 people) indicated they were in support of the proposed concept, 24% (14 people) said they opposed and 15% (9 people) were neutral.

At its meeting on Tuesday 21 January 2020, Council considered the feedback received and made the decision to seek the consent of the Minister for Planning to revoke (or change) the community land classification of a portion of Australia Reserve, with the intention to dispose of this portion based on the concept plan proposed during stage 2.

Further amendments to the concept plan were made based on stage 2 feedback consisting of:

• a larger area for biodiversity plantings adjacent to the creek
• extending the path south of the playground to connect with the shared used path along Australia Avenue
• removing the BBQ from the concept plan

See the updated concept plan

Read the Stage 2 community engagement outcomes report

Read the Council report (Notice, Agenda and Reports) and minutes (look for 21 January 2020)

Background (provided for stage 2 community engagement)

Council sought feedback from the community on the future development and upgrade of Australia Reserve, and the proposed disposal of a portion of Australia Reserve for housing and road reserve.

In 2013 Council undertook community engagement (as part of ‘Live Life Modbury’) to inform the Modbury Regional Growth Area Development Plan Amendment. This process included discussions with the local community about the future of Australia Reserve. (Located on the corner of Smart Road and Australia Avenue, Modbury).

Subsequently in 2015 the Tea Tree Gully Development Plan was amended and new zoning provisions included under the ‘Residential Growth Policy Area 11 section’ for Australia Reserve that state:

“Australia Reserve (CT 5518/650 Lot 213) is located within the policy area and is currently undeveloped. 50% of the site will be developed for two storey residential development and the other 50 per cent will be retained for open space/recreation.”

Given this change to the Development Plan, Council began exploring the future development of Australia Reserve, including proposed parking on Australia Avenue, by consulting with the local community in August 2019 (stage 1). Two concepts were provided for consideration.

During this stage 1 consultation period, a total of 158 responses were received by Council. The outcomes of this community engagement process indicated that:

• 67% of respondents overall were supportive of development on Australia Reserve
• 44% preferred Concept 1
• 15% preferred Concept 2

After reviewing and considering community feedback, Council resolved at the 8 October and 12 November Council meetings to proceed with another stage of community engagement to revoke (or change) the community land classification of a portion of Australia Reserve, based on Concept 1 (with modifications).

You can review the feedback received in more detail in the stage 1 community engagement report

The agendas, Council reports and minutes from the 8 October 2019 and 12 November Council meetings are available on Council's website

The proposal (stage 2)

Council is proposing to develop and upgrade Australia Reserve, which involves the disposal of a portion of the Reserve and revocation of the community land classification for this portion:

• 33% of the site requires revocation for housing development (4000m²)
• A strip of the Reserve (5.7%, approx. 700m²) along Australia Avenue requires revocation for realignment of the reserve property boundary and to accommodate indented parking

The remaining portion of Australia Reserve (61.3%, approx. 7500m²) would be retained for public reserve upgrade, with proceeds from the disposal used to fund the upgrades.

For more information please refer to Council's information sheet and amended concept plan

To get involved and have your say:

• Review further information sheet and amended concept plan
• Complete the online feedback form
• Come along to the onsite 'coffee and chat' session (drop in anytime on Saturday 30 November between 10.00-11.30am at Australia Reserve, Australia Avenue, Modbury)
• Ask a question in the Q&A tool