CONCERNED residents came together on Saturday as calls grow louder for the community to lodge submissions against a proposed new development in Ebbw Vale.
The old Claypave site located at 21 & 21A Whitwood Rd and 31 Railway St, Ebbw Vale, has been cleared, with a DA submitted proposing the development of two lots into 387 residential lots, one commercial lot, one park lot, one management lot, and five other lots assigned for drainage and open space.
The land clearing was conducted in 2023 on a 48.5ha site, with the process catching most residents unaware with no consultation or notification.
Ebbw Vale Development Community Group spokesperson Wenona said the community should have been notified and kept informed long before the submission phase began.
“The developer has known for nearly two years what their intention was and chose not to consult the broader suburb, which consists of only 257 private residences,” she said.
“It’s not a big ask or expectation to include a community on a development in their back yard that would be close to double the size of the existing suburb.”
Submissions will be taken by Ipswich City Council through to December 19, with another community meeting to be held on Saturday, November 30 at Ebbw Vale Memorial Park from 8am-noon.
Queensland Property Group project director Con Bassili told Local Ipswich News that the general public would now have the opportunity to make submissions on the project.
“We see this as an opportunity to provide a quality housing development on what was abandoned and unused land,” Mr Bassili said.
“The alternative is that the site could still be operated as a mining and extraction operation under the existing mining leases, with minimal restrictions in very close proximity to the existing houses in Ebbw Vale.
“This is a far better outcome for the community and also provides new open space and parks within the project, and also a neighbourhood centre for the convenience of all local residents.”
Mr Bassili rejected allegations that the council had not been fully informed.
“All questions or requests from council are progressively responded to,” he said. “Any responses that we lodge back to Council go on the public record for anyone to see.”
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the community was encouraged to have their say up until the public notification period closed.
“Anyone in the community can make a submission during this period,” she said.
