Following clamour from locals, Stephens Mountain Reserve in Greenslopes is due to get the protection it deserves as well as some funding boost from Brisbane City Council.
The council is earmarking $200,000 to construct a lookout and walking trails at Stephens Mountain. The plan is in line with the recent amendments to the Coorparoo and Districts Neighbourhood Plan, which is rezoning 5.8 hectares of Stephens Mountain to the conservation zone.
Conservation Zone
The Coorparoo and Districts Neighbourhood Plan also provides that ecological, landscape and visual values of Stephens Mountain be retained and that remnant vegetation on the area be protected.
Amendments to the neighbourhood plan aims to ensure protection for the conservation zone precinct of Stephens Mountain. This means that any development in the area should keep intact the landscape, habitat and ecological values in the area.
Developments for consideration should also respect the natural topography and should complement the scenic landscape. The neighbourhood plan encourages passive recreation developments such as the planned walking trails.
The protection for part of Stephens Mountain is a result of public insistence to keep the mountain reserve lush and free from high-rise residential developments. The reserve located behind Greenslopes Hospital was previously considered utility services. However, the council gave in to public demand and moved the area to the conservation zone.
Emerging Community Zone
Not all parts of Stephens Mountain will be zoned under conservation. Whilst the reserve will be rezoned to conservation zone, the quarry site and the adjoining Energex depot will be considered as “Emerging Community.” As such, this sub-precinct could allow residential developments fronting the Greenslopes Busway station and plaza.
The neighbourhood plan states that any development in the Emerging community zone should not adversely affect the character or environmental value of the land.
