Why is there community concern about this?

The site is zoned “Rural, Rural landscape and Environmental Precinct” and is part of the Hinterland core habitat system.  The ecosystem along Repeater Station Road contains remnant vegetation and significant wildlife species.  

This new water extraction development cannot be supported for the following reasons:

1. The ‘Use’ in the application is not defined, when it should be identified as Extractive Industry under the Planning Scheme (Council identifies this as premises used for the extraction and/or processing of extractive resources [ie. Water] and associated activities, including transportation to market.) If the use is not defined, how can the council officers properly assess the required conditions?
2. Purpose of the Zone – there is obvious incompatibility between environmental significance, scenic amenity, steep & sloping landscape and the movement of large trucks, noise and danger to locals, tourists and wildlife on a narrow, winding and steep mountain road.  Adjacent properties will be adversely affected, and the safe access to Best of All Lookout along with the value of the area as part of a major tourist destination, will be impacted.
3. Land clearing – The block has already been cleared without initial approval, and fines were issued for this clearing. The road verge will require further clearing for sight lines of trucks entering and leaving the premises.  
4. Traffic safety is of serious concern with a roadway width of only 5.5 metres. This road is used by hikers, motorbikes and cars and some tourist buses of varying size.  There is no footpath or sealed shoulder and two large vehicles would not be able to pass adequately.  There are also safety risks with impatient behaviour by drivers held up by slow moving trucks.
5. Infrastructure costs will increase for Gold Coast City Council, as it is a minor road (not under the jurisdiction of TMR) and no doubt will involve more ratepayer’s expense to maintain under the mountain’s regular and sometimes extreme weather conditions. Council struggles to maintain the current infrastructure of roads and bridges for which it is currently responsible.  Increased industrial traffic can only put more pressure on the mountain’s infrastructure.
6. Is the delivery of treated spring water justified as a local service?   Most would argue that it is not necessary, as some properties already have their own spring fed supplies.  Others have bores, which are of no concern as the water raised returns to the aquifer, and most residents have sufficient tank capacity for their needs. Occasionally water is purchased from Gold Coast suppliers, but most residents quickly learn to conserve water, valuing it as a precious resource. 
7. Ecotourism is the lifeblood of the mountain’s economy which is a low impact and sustainable use that is compatible with the Rural Landscape and Environmental Precinct Zoning of the Repeater Stn. Rd locale. Marketed as the “green behind the gold”, Springbrook National Park’s World Heritage status has become a tourist drawcard, bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors – both international and domestic.  They are looking for a natural experience in an environmentally special and sensitive area.  Traffic noise, large trucks on the narrow roads and an industrial facility is not compatible with this image.  No new commercial extraction of water should occur, so that the World Heritage Values of the National Park are maintained.
8. Setting a precedent: With 3 groundwater extraction sites already identified by Gold Coast City Council on Repeater St. Rd, with two currently being utilised, there is concern that with another facility “commercial groundwater extraction may be an emerging activity in the locality”. (Seqwater 01/06/18)
9. Economic need: The only employment opportunity is one extra truck driver. In the most recent Water Rates notice sent to Gold Coast residents, they were urged to refill bottles from their own taps, or the Council provided refill stations as “tap water is better for your health, the environment and your hip pocket”.  This property alone, could generate 50 million, half litre plastic bottles of water a year!  Here is a link to the Council’s “Choose Tap” campaign.

This proposal is not in the public interest.