Ipswich residents say controversial housing development threatens vulnerable koala population

Every morning, David Harris wakes up to the sound of kookaburras on his Bellbird Park property, west of Brisbane.

The suburb is surrounded by dense bushland, just a 30-minute drive from the CBD.

“This area is used by local people for walking, running, just sitting by a creek. It’s really a tranquil spot,” Mr Harris says.

Mr Harris has lived in the area for over a decade but he’s concerned a looming housing development could threaten the existence of wildlife on his doorstep, in the sprawling Woogaroo Forest.

In fact, he’s so concerned, he’s enlisted the help of an unlikely partner – Sir David Attenborough.

Last month, Ipswich City Council quietly approved a precinct housing plan by developer Stockland, that would see over 1,800 homes, a commercial centre, childcare centre and a local sports park built on the native bushland.

More than 200 public submissions were lodged in response to the Springview Village development, many claiming it could see a local koala population displaced.

Enraged by the decision, Mr Harris penned a letter to naturalist Sir David Attenborough, inviting him to visit the forest on his next Australian tour.

He’s still waiting to hear back.

“I would want to get him up into this area, stand where I’m standing now and see his reaction,” Mr Harris says.

Growing pains

With a housing crisis and a rapidly growing population, Ipswich City Council is touting developments like Springview as a much-needed solution to accommodate new residents.

Greater Ipswich’s population of 250,000 people is expected to double within the next decade as more people leave the city for the greener pastures of the outer suburbs.

But long-time locals, like Mr Harris, are concerned rapid development could see the integrity of the region lost.

“There are plenty of other places that could accommodate residents,” Mr Harris says.

“To get rid of pristine bush like this is outrageous.”

Stockland’s Springview Village precinct plan was lodged by developers in June 2023 but was signed off by council just days after local government elections in March, before councillors were officially sworn in.

The proposed 320 hectare site is home to an estimated 200 koalas and other wildlife including platypuses and powerful owls, though exact figures are unclear.

Locals have raised concern about the swift approval process, which they claim should have been reviewed by newly-elected councillors.

But Ipswich City Council Mayor Teresa Harding says the project was not “impact assessable”, meaning the matter would not have been referred to councillors for consultation or review.

“The delegation sits with council officers … it’s not something that would come to councillors for a decision,” Cr Harding says.

She says ultimately environmental approval now sits with the federal government.

“Council only has one part of the planning approval, and that’s town planning. The environmental side is done by the state and federal governments,” Cr Harding says.

Mayor Harding says the council consulted thoroughly with residents, and the region had been earmarked by the state government for residential housing since 1997.

“We are in the middle of a housing crisis… an affordability crisis. All three levels of government need to balance these things to make sure we get a great outcome for the community,” she says.

A spokesperson for the federal department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said a public comment period would be part of the assessment process.

“The assessment process will consider the impacts of the proposed development on listed threatened species and ecological communities, including the koala and the greater glider,” the spokesperson said.

Extinction situation ‘dire’

Habitat loss, urban development and disease have seen the koala population across south-east Queensland steadily decline in recent decades.

Between 2018 and 2021, the region’s endangered koala population dropped by 30 per cent, according to Griffith University.

Queensland Conservation Council’s director Dave Copeman says developments like Springview could contribute to the loss of native wildlife.

“This development should not go ahead … this is too important a forest, it needs to be protected,” he says.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Stockland said the proposed development was subject to “robust and independent environmental and planning approvals” across all levels of government.

“This includes the independent assessment of flora and fauna management plans, prior to any development commencing,” the spokesperson said.

“Stockland’s planning has been informed by comprehensive technical studies and scientific reporting.”

Mr Copeman argues stronger state environmental protections for koalas would mean projects like Springview would have more oversight before approval.

“I don’t think many people realise how dire the situation is for koalas, greater gliders and other threatened species,” he said.

“We are concerned that in the rush to build housing, we’re not protecting these important remnant forests in south-east Queensland.”

‘It’s total vandalism’

Bellbird Park resident and keen bird watcher Keith McCosh says the consultation process has rocked his faith in the Ipswich City Council.

The resident of 40 years says there had been little engagement with locals over the development, which would see the site’s ridge lines bulldozed 14 metres lower than its current height.

“There will be nothing but houses in the middle, no corridors, no trees… it’s total vandalism,” Mr McCosh says.

“The council says they assess these things in accordance with codes and plans, but they basically rubber stamped the approval.

“Rather than saying it’s either koalas or houses – why can’t we have both?