The intended outcome for this 186-hectare site is the transformation from an operational quarry to a masterplanned residential community, positioned within Augustine Heights and Redbank Plains. The urban design of this project will deliver more new homes to the region, along with a retail hub and almost half of the site dedicated to open space, including 3 local parks and a new district park. The proposal will look to unlock the natural beauty of the site, including access to Woogaroo Creek and the stunning mountain views from Mt Juillerat, for all to enjoy.
Owned by a local family for almost 30 years, the site represents an opportunity to deliver a legacy project that sets a new standard for greenfield communities in the Springfield-Ripley corridor.
Setting a new standard for masterplanned communities, HQ will respond to, and rehabilitate, the existing Quarry, create enduring connections to the natural environment and prioritise community creation. This will be a place to grow up and grow old, together.
The application lodged with Ipswich City Council is for a high-level concept structure plan which sets initial parameters for the ultimate conversion of the site. The concept structure plan seeks consent for the following zones or uses across the site:
- Low Density Residential
- Low-Medium Density Residential Local Centre (Commercial & Retail uses)
- Open Space (District Park, Local Park, Linear Park, Conservation)
The areas of the site to be acquired for the future Springfield-Ipswich Rail line extension do not form a part of the application and will be part of future scope by the State Government.
More information on the definition of these uses can be found on the Ipswich City Council planning and development website.
A concept structure plan has been developed for the 184ha. Hardrock Quarry site to support the application for a residential Masterplanned community. The proposed concept structure plan retains approximately 50% of the site as open space, and facilitates the conversion of the existing quarry into residential villages.
Link to reportsThe proposed structure plan facilitates:
Pedestrian, cycling and vehicle connections to the north, east, south and west
Future potential centenary highway connection
Future direct Brookwater connection via Mt Juillerat Drive
Two separate Bus-graded collector roads running through the site
The State’s required land for the future Springfield-Ipswich Train Line, and Keidges Road Train Station
A traffic study has been completed by traffic engineers Bitzios Consulting, which considers the necessary road and intersection upgrades around the site.
The proposed structure plan creates eight unique ‘villages’ across the site. Each precinct is unique and responds to its location, topography and natural features. Proposed densities are generally low-density across the site. Villages in proximity to the future train station facilitate higher densities which include terraces and town homes. Apartments are not proposed.
Link to reportsThe proposed structure plan heroes the landscape and proposes to retain approximately 50% of the site as green space. A Landscape Masterplan has been proposed to retain natural bushland and waterway open space corridors, alongside the creation of new local parks and a new district park for Redbank Plains and Augustine Heights.
Walking and cycling trails are proposed to be a key feature of the site, permeating through every open space area, promoting active transport wherever possible.
Every proposed village has been positioned adjoining open space, and through future applications, will be detailed to maximise the connection to open space.
The site has been operating as a commercial quarry under an Environmental Authority for a number of decades, and continues to export material (largely, gravel material) for commercial use. The existing quarry is contained within the upper areas of Mt Juillerat and does not extend across much of the site.
The concept structure plan facilitates the completion of the quarry and the safe conversion into accessible spaces. It is anticipated that the quarry has a further 10 year life. Post quarry completion (intended to be phased) works will be done to stabilise and reinvigorate the quarried areas. Extensive works have been undertaken to understand the site geology and geotechnical conditions, which has informed the concept structure plan development.
The site is highly disturbed, with large areas of vegetation having been removed prior to 1955 for grazing, with further large-scale clearing occurring up to 1971. Progressive Quarrying has further removed vegetation as part of quarrying operations over the past 4+ decades.
Significant vegetation is still evident across the site, particularly around the slopes of Mt Juillerat and along Woogaroo Creek. These areas are proposed to be retained and enhanced under the concept structure plan. EPBC Applications and Cultural Heritage processes are underway with the Federal Government and Traditional Owners and will continue to run alongside and inform this application.
Located in Redbank Plains and Augustine Heights, and nearby Brookwater and the Centenary Highway, the proposed concept structure plan completes the urban fabric between the Centenary Highway and future Springfield-Ripley train line and Keidges Road Train Station