Branyan is becoming one of the most popular localities in the Bundaberg Region with increasing property demand and new services.
With a shopping complex, childcare centre and new house lots, Branyan has emerged as one of the region’s significant growth areas.
Bundaberg Regional Council divisional representative Cr Steve Cooper said Branyan is a highly sought-after location because it offers semi-rural and riverside lifestyles a stone’s throw from the city centre.
“We know that more and more people are looking to call Branyan home,” Cr Cooper said.
“That’s why Council has been busy undertaking future planning for this area to ensure access points and road planning keeps ahead of the curve.
“Council is planning to establish a new park and playground close to emerging residential areas this financial year.”
Bundaberg Regional Council group manager development Michael Ellery said development interest in Branyan has been increasing over recent years.
“Development activity suggests there is high level of interest in the western corridor of Branyan around the Penny Lane area,” Mr Ellery said.
“From a planning perspective we are encouraging development in this location, which we know is an emerging community with anticipated growth, while maintaining a focus on preserving vegetation and the quality of water courses that run through the area.
“As development occurs it will not only bring new residents to Branyan but it will promote the expansion of Council’s network and provide additional services for existing residents.”
Branyan property in demand
Mr Ellery said more than 250 residential lots were already approved for Branyan property growth with some already under way.
“There is development already underway through the Habitat subdivision and approvals exist on three other significant residential developments,” he said.
An application for a minor change to a development application for a new childcare centre approved in 2017 has also recently been lodged with Council.
“This childcare development would create a new facility with six classrooms and 12 staff that can cater to 89 children,” Mr Ellery said.
Preliminary approval has also been granted for a convenience shopping centre on Branyan Drive.
“The applicant intends to provide a small-scale shopping centre that caters to day-to-day and top-up shopping needs as well as office space which is currently lacking in this area,” Mr Ellery said.
“Commercial uses of this complex could include anything from a convenience store, eateries or health care services.”
- Other news: Traffic lights planned for Branyan Drive
Encouraging development in Branyan “while maintaining a focus on preserving vegetation” does not sit comfortably with the fact that Bundaberg Regional Council this year approved a development adjoining Branyan Drive that will result in the ruination of the treed roadside verge that has made Branyan Drive such a distinctive picturesque drive en route to Sandy Hook. Private access driveways will have to be cleared through the vegetation to enable access to a number of allotments that do not front the development’s internal access street. So much for preserving ‘landscape character’ and ‘scenic amenity value’! (BRC Planning Scheme).
And the accessible, realistic public transport to/from Bundaberg? Is this yet another example of a relatively remote housing development for which people are obliged to drive to/from town. Why does Council promote such developments rather than expanding the current town limits?