October 24, 2014
A ‘hole’ in the former Kingaroy Shire Planning Scheme which allowed the developer of the failed Memerambi Estate to erect houses before building infrastructure has been plugged.
The South Burnett Regional Council has received approval from the State Government to force any future developers of historical sub-divisions to build infrastructure before they build any houses.
At Wednesday’s monthly general meeting, Councillors were told the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning had approved a Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) the SBRC adopted at its May meeting, subject to some minor amendments.
The TLPI will give the Council legal power to compel anyone developing a historical sub-division anywhere in the South Burnett to abide by the same provisions that apply to normal sub-divisions.
At present, the Council has to administer four different planning schemes (for the former Kingaroy, Wondai, Murgon and Nanango shires).
There are 15 historical sub-divisions in the South Burnett region.
Councillors adopted the amended TLPI unanimously.
It will remain in force for 12 months, by which time the Council hopes to have adopted a new Shire-wide Planning Scheme which will contain similar provisions.
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Owners of properties on the failed Memerambi Estate will finally have the opportunity to consider an offer by the South Burnett Regional Council to build the missing infrastructure which will allow them to move into their homes, almost 12 months after the Estate’s developer Summit View Meritor Pty Ltd was placed in liquidation.
Council had originally said that letters outlining their offer would be sent to property owners in June; and later, that the letters would be sent by mid-August.
However the letters were not mailed until last week.
Council officers said the delay had been caused by the need to for the proposed agreement to be legally watertight.
southburnett.com.au understands Memerambi Estate property owners will be given the option of having Council build the missing infrastructure needed to make the Estate habitable.
They will then be able to repay their individual share of the costs either in full via a lump sum payment, or through a long-term, low-interest loan.
Providing Memerambi Estate owners agree to the arrangement, work on normalising the estate will commence early next year.
However, if agreement cannot be reached, Council will not proceed with the work and property owners will need to fund and build the Estate’s infrastructure themselves before the houses can be occupied.
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