We are delighted to bring you the news that City of Moreton Bay yesterday refused the application by JH Northlakes for a Driving Range / Bar / Function Centre on the former golf course site, nearly 11 months after it was lodged.
Council concluded that the "proposed development cannot comply with, nor can it be conditioned to comply with, the applicable Assessment Benchmarks against which the application was required to be assessed". In other words, the proposal does not comply, and cannot be made to comply, with the Mango Hill Infrastructure Development Control Plan (DCP) — the document that governs planning and development of North Lakes.
The reasons for refusal are detailed in a 'Decision Notice' posted on the DA Tracker at https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Building-Development/DA-Tracker/11157444 It is accompanied by a 41 page 'Report Package' (also on the DA Tracker) containing various references to planning instruments, assessments made, maps and even a 3D representation of what the development would look like on the landscape.
Amongst the listed reasons for refusal are:
Conflicts with the Mango Hill DCP due to failure to provide 'visual relief and aesthetic amenity' to the urban landscape nor a 'high level of environmental quality' (see images below) and
Including a use that is broader than 'outdoor recreation' by definition, also not 'ancillary' to it as defined in the DCP. Noting here the hours of operation (till 10pm 7 days a week), 246m² bar/seating area on the lower ground floor, a 260m² dedicated conference facility, a 246m² commercial kitchen etc) - far from 'light refreshments'
Poor opportunities for protection and management of vegetation and wildlife. Noting the clearing of over 300 trees
Failure to provide for environmental rehabilitation of the area.
Failure to limit buildings and car parking to the designated "Generalised Building and Car Parking Area" as defined in the Sector Plan
Failure to demonstrate that lighting and traffic impacts would not adversely impact the 'amenity, safety and general well being of the surrounding area.
On behalf of the community, we sincerely thank Council for their painstaking and thorough approach to reaching the decision.
We thank those who made over 300 submissions against the proposal (an extraordinary result given it was not formally notified for consultation) which we know were taken into account in framing the decision.
Many of you are already asking: "Where to now?"
The first step is - the applicant now has 20 business days in which to lodge an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court (this ends on 6th July).
Beyond this - the land remains privately owned, the legislation and governing regulations covering this precious open space have been reinforced, so the ball is well and truly in the Developer's court.
Please stay vigilant and do let us know your thoughts, suggestions or questions at savenorthlakes@gmail.com.
If you wish to send Council a note, please email them, as before, at council@moretonbay.qld.gov.au; make sure to include "DA/2025/3488" in the subject of your email.
