ANYONE looking over the finer details of recently sold homes in the new estates of Ipswich would see that almost every house had been crammed onto a small block.
It’s now common practice for developers to slice and dice their land to get as many blocks on the development as possible and most lots now sit on less than 400sqm.
It means that your neighbour could well hear you go to the toilet late at night and your backyard is virtually non-existent.
While those looking for a block to build on are concerned with the small sizes there is nothing they can do other than to build in nearby rural areas which sometimes offer bigger blocks.
Ipswich developer, Jason McDonald, has decided to go against the trend and has earmarked his proposed Deebing Downs development to offer 190 blocks with minimum lot sizes all over 600sqm.
While the development has yet to be approved by council he has already had more than 500 people register interest.
Those who are keen to buy, however, will have to stand in line if they are not a local because Jason has committed to giving Ipswich residents first option.
While it might all sound positive local news the truth is Jason McDonald and his Deebing Downs development, located on the left hand side of Centenary Highway not far from the Yamanto Town Centre, is presently going nowhere.
Jason has been locked in a three year battle with the council for final approvals with a key sticking point revolving around ecological issues.
“When I originally put this before council I was looking to develop 360 large sized blocks across the majority of the 35ha project, but in an effort to appease council amended this to just 190 blocks turning 48 per cent back into green space,” he said.
“I’ve also offered to buy and gift to council a 33ha parcel of land that is an extremely high value koala area that is not currently protected under any local, state or federal ecological scheme.
“This land is at Grandchester and would become a permanent conduit between two existing koala colonies near Spicers koala protection area.
“While I’m disappointed to be in this position after so long, I’m still fully committed to deliver the project,” he said.
The centre of his battle with council revolves around infringing on a wildlife corridor that was noted in the 2013 Draft City Plan by a former Town Planner.
According to Jason the plan needs reviewing as its been rendered irrelevant following recent approved developments in Deebing Heights alongside the latest approval for the multi-million dollar Queensland Greyhound Centre just down the road.
Council was asked to comment on the application, but declined because of legal reasons.
