Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has made a last-ditch effort to save 100-year-old trees in the township of Miara.
Mr Bennet took to the floor of parliament last night to ask the Minister for State Development to call in a residential development as a matter of urgency. *
The Burnett MP said it’s now or never.
“There are plans by the developer to commence clearing activities this coming Monday, the 19th June,” said Mr Bennett. **
“From the outset, the community is not against development; they just want it done right.
“This area is home to all matter of flora and fauna and is one of the last remnant tracts of old growth trees.
“The historical estate was first created in 1884 with the aim to house families working at the E.G. Sugar Mill and timber mill industries.
“Both industries closed in the early to mid-1900 which meant that the land went unimproved.
“125 years later, the vegetation has now regenerated and contains flora that is eighty to one hundred years old.
“I stood up in parliament on behalf of the Miara community who are fighting to save these old growth trees.”
Mr Bennett said he’s asking the Minister to call in this development as being in the public interest to protect the environmental State interests in the area.
“It’s also noted that there are serious discrepancies found between 2018 DA Form 1 and the new proposal 2020 DA Form 1,” he said.
“The historical zoning and planning are therefore in question, and I urge the minister to step in.”
* https://tv.parliament.qld.gov.au/?reference=0Mba20230614_192317
** Development details:
- Bundaberg Regional Council – Application Tracker – 17 lots into 7 residential lots plus one access easement in favour of lot 49 and environmental reserve
- Bundaberg Regional Council – Application Tracker – 78 lots into 43 lots plus road and drainage reserve
- Bundaberg Regional Council – Application Tracker – Civil work associated with the above development approvals
ENDS.
15/06/2023