An eco-village proposal near the Brunswick Heads highway interchange at Saddle Road is back on the table after councillors voted last Thursday to include it within the Rural Land Use Strategy.
The Brunswick Eco Village (BEV) proposal was initially pegged on land owned by Kelvin Daly, but later, plans were expanded to include surrounding lands and a commitment for 20 per cent affordable housing.
Yet the proposal appears to have landowners on the ridgeline divided, and Council eventually rejected the larger proposal.
Last Thursday’s lastminute inclusion was headed by Cr Paul Spooner (Labor).
He told The Echo the resolution removed the BEV proposal from consideration within the draft Residential Strategy.
‘This was undertaken following advice from the Department of Planning that it would not be supported as it was not in an urban area.
‘To maintain it there would have effectively stopped it from being considered. A very poor outcome for our community.
‘The decision on Thursday proposes an amendment within the Rural Land Use Strategy to allow the land to be considered as an ‘intentional eco-community’ providing at least 80 per cent affordable housing.
‘This supports Council’s strategic planning. It allows the provision of affordable housing where there is none. It supports the intention of responding to the housing needs of residents and workers.
‘A very big win for our community.
‘What has been agreed to on Thursday opens up a clear planning pathway but does not ensure the proposal will succeed.
‘This will be determined when a planning proposal is submitted by the applicant and assessed by Council according to the Rural Land Use Strategy that requires it be amended and supported by the Department of Planning.’
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