Lot sizes, housing footprints, landscaping and vegetation retention:
Proposed Development at the old Golf Course by the Rainbow Shores Residents group
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AINBOW SHORES RESIDENTS have put hard work into their response to Council regarding the proposal development of the former Golf Course. Rainbow Shores is the result of a stringent master plan, created to ensure sustainable development for future generations. The Krauchi family vision was to create one of the world’s most pristine living environments, both holiday destination and peaceful living. In 1989, the family acquired Rainbow Shores, launched various precincts, and completed tourism facilities including the nine-hole golf course. Some 32 years later, Rainbow Shores is an asset to the town and will only become more so as future demand for ecologically sustainable development and ‘tree-change/ sea-change’ lifestyle choices emerges and grows. If tourism is the heart of Rainbow Beach, its residents are its flesh. A dilemma is if there can be economic growth in town with no houses to accommodate people to service tourism. The general hope is that Council will share and continue the vision of a well-thoughtout, environmentally sensitive coastal community. If approved, the 39 lots proposal is likely to have a significant impact on the neighbourhood. Many submissions have been forwarded outlining all salient points relative to both the Material Change Use proposal and highdensity subdivision, including: - Most existing homes are generally large and architecturally camouflaged to blend seamlessly with their neighbourhood and no houses are backto-back. - The proposed 39 Lot subdivision, if
approved, will be on-sold to another developer who will construct generic low-cost small cluster houses that clash with the natural and visual amenity of the neighbourhood and devalue the remainder of Rainbow Shores - The proposed 39 lots are generally too small to provide house construction with sufficient space to enable vegetation retention and additional landscaping and there are no vegetated easements or natural greenspace areas proposed to provide sound and visual buffers between the streets (as is typical of the remainder of Rainbow Shores).
- The 39 Lot proposal also fails to indicate that five-metre-wide vegetated footpaths will be maintained consistent with those in the rest of Rainbow Shores and there is no indication that a green barrier of trees and shrubbery will be maintained along Wyvern Road or Rainbow Shores Drive - Aerial investigation shows that existing roof areas of houses within Rainbow Shores generally vary between 240m2 and 320m2 within a mix of high set and low set homes and that they are also very similar in size to existing residences within the township of Rainbow Beach. Google Search indicates that the current
building roof area in city suburbs for low-cost housing is around 210m2 or less. - The proposed lots are generally too small to accommodate existing Rainbow Shores style housing The development proposal capitalises on the existing infrastructure and design aims of Rainbow Shores, therefore it should safely blend and add more value, not the opposite. Council is asked to decide to set the best practice of land use principles established by previous planning studies to guide future development.
Best ways to settle into a new neighbourhood by Elisa Seul
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HERE IS NO doubt that since COVID the housing market has been hit by a higher demand, to the joy of sellers, and making it possible for buyers to invest or move into our town. A tip on how to integrate in a new community is to do proper research on the town before you move to the area. Buying in an open space area surrounded by semi-wild nature might not be for everybody! There are a few common reasons behind moving into a new area, and looking for a new lifestyle is one of the major ones. Settling in, and fitting in, can be challenging, so here are some tips to make it easier to live like a local: - Educating yourself on the new community can help you maintain local rules of ‘respect’ and prevent miscommunication or offending your new neighbours. - Give yourself time, it is essential that those relocating allow themselves a period of adjustment. - Simply living like a local can often be one of the best ways to integrate yourself into the community, and in turn, your new life. Take walks to the beach, enjoy the local food and coffee places, attend the markets, explore our natural gems. - Learn about the unique environment of the area and help protect it. The library has a wide range of books with local knowledge. In general, we can all provide local tips, and introduce our new neighbours to their new home. January 2021 – Rainbow Beach Cooloola Coast Community News – 9