The development sought exemptions to several points in Queanbeyan Council’s planning policy. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
Queanbeyan Council has approved a 44-unit development at Googong, despite it needing several variations from the council’s planning policy.
The Trustee For Eas Investment Trust is seeking to build 44 residential units across five blocks on the west side of Gooandra Circuit in Googong.
Various trees on the site will be removed or relocated, with the project also including earthworks and landscaping.
During a recent meeting, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) unanimously approved the development application (DA) for the units.
The matter was put before the councillors for their decision as it is more than $5 million in value, according to meeting papers.
“The proposed development is generally consistent with the aims of the plan as it provides for the diverse housing needs of the community within the urban release areas, supports the long-term economic sustainability of the locality and does not unreasonably increase the demand for public services or facilities,” the documents state.
The site is a corner lot and also has a public space corridor to its east, which offers a pedestrian connection to the Googong Commons.
The development will feature 18 three-bedroom units and 26 two-bedroom units, across multiple blocks.
The 7180 sqm site is mostly flat, council documents state, and is currently zoned as R1 General Residential.
Motorists will be able to access it through a driveway and cross over to Gooandra Circuit.
A planning report presented to councillors also found the proposal featured a total of 97 parking spaces (including nine for visitor parking along Bunyip Drive and Gooandra Circuit).
A 7180 sqm site has been approved to host five buildings in a multi-dwelling housing complex. Image: Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council.
The council documents state the DA was recommended for approval as it was judged to be “compatible” with the area and suitable for its chosen site.
However, variations were needed over several proposed elements.
The front setback for two of the blocks “does not wholly comply” with a set six metre distance, while other blocks had issues with side and corner lot setbacks.
These were all judged to have “planning merit” in the documents, with the applicant having submitted a written explanation.
Other variations were sought around articulation zones (which extended too far by just more than a metre), fencing being too tall in some locations and the number of private spaces allocated to one of the blocks (with extra space provided at the rear of those units).
Queanbeyan Council documents indicate the area around the site is “likely to be developed”, raising the possibility of increased nearby housing density in the future.
“Existing development within the locality consists of sparsely located dwellings, however the adjoining allotments on the west (across Gooandra Circuit and Bunyip Drive) [are] likely to be developed for medium density housing,” council’s documents state.
“The lands to the south-west of the site are likely to be developed for single dwelling homes of varying scale and bulk in the future.”
