|
More Maleny development in the heart of town |
|
Written by Les Fawkes
|
|
Saturday, 10 May 2008 |
Most residents of Maleny have a
reputation for sticking up for what they believe is in the best
interest of the community. One only has to look at the disquiet that
was caused when trees were removed from land on Obi Creek for the
construction of Woolworths. In the dead of night the Deen Brothers
cut a number of mature pine trees from the old Boxsell's Cattle Yards
site to commence the construction.
Once again battle lines could be drawn as local businessman, Merek Malter did some clearing of his own from land zoned as commercial in Coral Street, Maleny. This is in the heart of town.
Inquiries reveal that the land was zoned commercial and had been sold to Mr. Malter by another well-known business family for about $1.2 million. The zoning has been in place for many years. The land is approximately 7000 sq m and the allowable building coverage is 80%, however Mr. Malter said that only approximately 50% building coverage is being constructed. There will also be approximately 100 car parks, more than is legally required. There will be only one access for vehicles to the site and that is from Coral Street. There will be pedestrian access to the park in Bicentennial Lane from the site.
Mr. Malter continued that the buildings which will include shops, offices and some residential areas will be designed to comply with environmental standards, including natural light and heating. Construction date is unknown at this time.
Mr Malter said, “The difference between this land and the site where Woolworths is located is that my site did not have to be rezoned as it has been zoned commercial for many years whereas the site where Woolworths is now located did have to be rezoned to allow the building to go ahead.”
A member of one of the pioneering families and town historian Harvey Bryce was quick to point out that Mr. Malter was one of the leaders against the land clearing for the Woolworths building only a few hundred yards from the present Coral Street clearing.
He went on to say; "With Maleny developing at the present rate there needs to be controlled development in keeping with the town plan, but for people to scream about one situation and carry out a similar exercise was hypocritical."
An inspection of the site found that the trees cut down were non-native such as privot, coral trees and other varieties considered in the area to be weeds.
|
|
Last Updated ( Saturday, 10 May 2008 )
|
Range News 2005 - ON 
