The Bundaberg Regional Council has decided to abandon plans for an affordable housing estate on a 26-hectare plot of land, previously intended to be gifted to Regional Housing Limited. This land, four hours north of Brisbane, has been the focus of a heated discussion. The community has been consistently mobilizing against its development, calling attention to threats to environmental justice and the loss of precious green space.
Following widespread protests, the council acknowledged the community’s desires to preserve the land as part of the Baldwin Swamp Environmental Park. Mayor Helen Blackburn announced that the council had “heard the community’s concerns loud and clear” about the development as originally proposed. The local residents’ pushback was so severe, that the project was declared “unfeasible.” They forgot to mention the long overdue need to “drain the swamp.”
Community Concerns and Opposition
Community members spoke out against the council’s original proposal. They worried it would pave over “the last of the green spaces” with a new housing development. This point was emphatically underscored by local activist Maureen Schmitt, who went so far as to say that, “nothing else matters.” She stressed that community pushback on the project began “from day one.”
In the midst of these protests, Blackburn shared some new details as to why this project is so impractical. She raises the concern of poor quality land. The huge burden of proof that they’d impose on new civil infrastructure would be astronomical, and the requirement they’d put on lot numbers would be unnecessarily burdensome. This evaluation added to the impetus to abandon the Barbican housing estate plan.
Blackburn promised residents that the council is committed to discovering innovative strategies to expand affordable housing. Yet, they continue to stay focused on tackling this big issue. We’ll be campaigning hard to get the whole parcel included as part of the Baldwin Swamp Environmental Park,” she said. This change is not just a procedural change, but reflects our ongoing pledge to be environmental stewards.
Future Plans for Affordable Housing
The council is doing great work. Kris Robinson, who is partnering with Blackburn on their local efforts to expand housing options, stressed their interest in identifying appropriate land for affordable housing developments. He added, “We’re completely open to just looking at any opportunity that we can to develop more affordable housing.” This proclamation truly emphasizes their commitment to meeting the proven need for affordable housing, but doing so in ways that communities desire.
For local governance, withdrawing from this particular local project is a big deal. It is a powerful reminder of how strong public sentiment can lead to major policy changes. The council’s responsiveness to community feedback illustrates its commitment to ensuring that future developments align with residents’ values.
Environmental Preservation Wins
The cancellation of the housing estate project is being celebrated by many as a success for conservation efforts. Photo courtesy of Schmitt Schmitt was cautiously optimistic considering the result. He added, “It’s a great win for the environment, and we expect that it will enrich this environmental park and the community for generations to come.” This sentiment is palpable in the community and mirrors a strong community-wide desire to meet development needs while preserving unique ecosystems.
