A development application for 140 townhouses in Flinders View will be reviewed by an Independent Decision Review Panel (IDRP) following considerable community feedback.
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Chair Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the hearing will improve community participation and transparency in the decision-making process.
“As part of the process, a public hearing will be held with residents able to voice their concerns directly to an independent panel before it makes its recommendations ahead of a final decision by council.
“The IDRP was established in 2019 to address sensitive development applications and review recommendations made by our planning officers. The independent panel will not only consider the application but also hear directly from submitters on their concerns for the proposed development.
“Council has received a significant number of submissions in relation to this application. The IDRP will add an extra opportunity for the community to be heard on this matter and ensure all concerns are captured and considered ahead of council’s final decision,” said Mayor Harding.
Azure Project 36 PTY LTD is seeking Ipswich City Council approval to build 140 townhouses at 10 Astral Court, Flinders View. The development application was submitted to council in May 2023.
This application is the third application to be referred to a public hearing under the IDRP process, which will be held in person and via livestream.
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Deputy Chairperson Councillor Paul Tully said as the application is still under assessment, the date for the public hearing has not been set but will likely be in September or October.
“Members of the public who have made a properly made submission on the application should expect to receive further correspondence from council about how to participate in the process,” Cr Tully said.
“Information will be sent in due course after the applicant has responded to any further requests from council.”
Council has received more than 200 submissions objecting to the proposal, with a large number of these submissions received before the public notification period had started.
Division 1 Councillor Jacob Madsen said the IDRP hearing allows respondents to voice their concerns as part of the process and hear directly from the applicants on the specific details of the proposal.
“The IDRP will be responsible for reviewing all relevant development application material including council officers’ initial recommendations,” Cr Madsen said.
Division 1 Councillor Sheila Ireland said council will then balance the community’s concerns alongside the recommendations of both council officers and the independent technical experts to make its final decision.
“Council will select independent experts to be involved in the IDRP. These experts are likely to include a town planner, traffic and flooding engineers as well as an ecologist,” Cr Ireland said.
The public hearing, likely to be held at the Ipswich Civic Centre, will be recorded and live-streamed and will be available on council’s Youtube channel to allow interested parties to view the proceedings.
Residents who have made a properly made submission will be sent a letter once council has a date for the public hearing and will be asked to RSVP to attend the hearing.
More information regarding the IDRP can be found on the Ipswich Planning website: https://www.ipswichplanning.com.au/independent-decision-review-panel.
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