Like all rural areas on the Gold Coast urban fringe, Austinville Valley will always be subject to developer initiated urban creep pressures. Austinville Valley is designated rural / rural residential and falls outside the urban footprint of the City of Gold Coast. It is important that, as a community, we draw together to ensure development is restricted, contained and appropriate for our area. We expect and require businesses to be respectful to the rural / rural residential nature of our valley. The extent and nature of any development plans must be appropriate to this setting.
Our current areas of focus
31 Austinville Road (Austinvilla Wedding Facility). Austinvilla submitted a Development Application in 2023 seeking to significantly expand the scale of its operations. This business has caused significant distress for some neighbours since it began operations in 2016. 65 submissions objecting to the proposal were lodged by Austinville community members. For an overview of the concerns, you can refer to FOAV’s 2023 submission to Council. We are now involved in the Planning and Environment Court proceedings (FOAV and Council v Austinvilla) following Austinvilla’s appeal against Council’s rejection of their application.
79 Austinville Road. A continuing concern for Austinvilla Valley is a proposed development at 79 Austinville Road. Until recently, there was one house on the 50 acre property. At a Mt Nimmel Hall public forum held on 15th September 2022, the former owners of the Austinvilla wedding complex outlined their intention to build 30 short-term accommodation cabins and other buildings, including a pavilion, at 79 Austinville Road. The increased guest, staff, supplier and property maintenance related traffic that would result from this proposed development is likely to be significant. The access driveway to 79 is narrow, angled and on a busy section of the road. Other issues like late night noise, tree clearing and detrimental impact on wildlife are also a concern. There is also a real danger that this large commercial development proposal will trigger further similar developments in the Austinville valley. This property is currently for sale.
The City of Gold Coast zoning for Austinville is “Rural” and “Rural Landscape and Environment Precinct”. The proposed developments at 31 Austinville Road and also 79 Austinville Road represent a significant leap outside these zoning conditions. FOAV will keep members updated on these two current development/expansion proposals and on any other concerning development plans that may arise.
Austinville Valley businesses not playing by the rules
FOAV will make a coordinated effort to report developer and business breaches to the relevant authorities, and provide appropriate follow up in order to ensure that breaches have been appropriately investigated.
Numerous breaches have arisen over the years where businesses have not adhered to their statutory operating requirements. For example, many Austinville residents have had to endure extensive noise from music, visiting guests and fireworks, as well as incidents of unruly behaviour. This has caused significant anguish and diminished amenity for some Austinville residents.
The Austinville community has a big heart and a strong spirit. We welcome businesses that play by the rules, act respectfully to neighbours, and recognise the interest of others and the environment. We will, however, confront any entities acting in a way that denigrates our beautiful, peaceful, natural valley.
No urban creep along our creek !