FAQ

The college was declared surplus to requirements in 2001 and Education Queensland has determined the existing network of schools will be able to accommodate future needs and re-opening the school is not a viable option for the site.

Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) began its preliminary community consultation process in 2016 to help inform the potential redevelopment of the former Oxley Secondary College. Consultation included information sessions, newsletters, online survey and discussions with interest parties and community groups seeking to be involved in the future of the site. EDQ also initiated and worked with a Community-led Panel to gain a better understanding of the aspirations of the local community around options for renewal of the site. A number of technical studies were also commissioned to gain a better understanding of what impact redeveloping the site would have on the surrounding area. During 2016 critical landslips were identified, rendering the site unsafe. Works were undertaken to rectify the issues however further landslips were identified rending the site unsafe for further studies. In early 2017, EDQ anticipated to be in a position to return to the Oxley community with more details about potential future land uses of the site. Unfortunately, these time frames were unable to be met. The 19.74 ha site has a significant number of constraints and challenges, and EDQ deemed redevelopment of the site required further investigation which unfortunately took longer than first anticipated. In late 2017 before a proposed concept could be shared with the Oxley community, the State Election was called and the machinery of government process began. EDQ is now preparing to re-engage with the Oxley community. Two information sessions have been scheduled for 31 May and 2 June to provide all interested parties with an opportunity to review and discuss a proposed concept and design principles with an EDQ officer. The proposed concept and design principles have been informed from feedback gathered from previous information sessions, discussions with community organisations and numerous site investigations.

A proposed concept and associated design principles, informed from previous community engagement activities and technical studies, will be available for review and discussion with an EDQ officer. The concept reflects the key elements to be considered and included in the redevelopment of the site. Feedback from these information sessions will inform the development scheme for the site should it be declared a PDA. The information sessions will also provide community members with details of the intended process for delivering the scheme including how to make a submission during the statutory consultation period.

Oxley is a prime example of the Queensland Government’s Advancing our cities and regions strategy, generating economic growth by unlocking the potential of underutilised government-owned land.

Declaring a PDA means EDQ would become the planning and development assessment authority for the site as well as the master developer, enabling an accelerated delivery of innovative and best practice urban design and new community facilities on the site.  

Due to the number of constraints affecting the site, including flooding, matters of state environmental significance, vegetation and sinkhole and landslip areas, renewal of the site by private sector developers would be considered unlikely. The declaration of a PDA would enable remediation works to be undertaken by EDQ as quickly as possible within the landslip area to ensure community safety.

The declaration of a PDA for Oxley has the potential to:

·  create jobs through construction and completed development

·  unlock government land to help catalyse broader local investment

·  deliver development with community benefit (community centre, open space, retention of bushland and relocation of C&K Childcare out of the flood area)

·  streamline plan making and development assessment including addressing key state interests up-front in the plan making process.

EDQ has investigated several scenarios to find the right balance of development for economic and community benefit.

Currently the preferred scenario would include:

·  excluding areas of Matters of State Environmental Significance (MSES), landslip and flood in the development zone

·  a new aged care/retirement facility, a community centre, community garden and open space

·  the relocation of the C&K Childcare out of the flood area

·  provisions to manage traffic and car parking impacts

·  an average residential lot size of 800 square metres, that will compliment and integrate well with the surrounding suburbs.

Across the 19.74 ha site there is a 2 ha parcel of land slip which will be treated but not developed. A further 2 ha area will receive significant vegetation planting treatment to landslip affected areas.

Community engagement activities began in 2016 and included two newsletters distributed to approximately 9500 households about community engagement opportunities and outcomes, an online survey that attracted 202 responses and two community information sessions attended by approximately 200 people. 

EDQ also established a community panel, representing the greater community that coordinated a community-led engagement process.

EDQ also met with a number of community organisations who had specifically nominated an interest in being part of any reinvigoration of the site and to identify what facilities they may require in any future development of the site. 

Discussions with Indigenous Elders about expressed interest in recreational and community facilities on the site were also held.

Feedback from the initial engagement campaign assisted with the development of the proposed concept and design principles and reflects the community’s needs for:

·  retention of significant bushland

·  provision of open space

·  flooding and landslip to be mitigated

·  management of traffic and car parking

·  a community hub, including a community centre and retaining the C&K Childcare on site (preferably out of the flood area)

·  a mix of low-rise residential (including retirement/aged care).

Development will be of an appropriate scale. The maximum building height for residential dwellings will be 3 storeys where integrated with the natural slope of the site. The retirement facility may be up to a maximum of 6 storeys. 

Some early works have been completed to sure up the site, specifically addressing sink holes and landslip. Once the site is declared a PDA, demolition of the former college buildings would likely begin towards the end of the year. These works would ensure public safety and the safety of existing adjoining land owners backing onto the site along Seventeen Mile Rocks Road and Blackheath Road.

The first signs of on-site activity are expected to begin the week commencing 10 December 2018. These works will include the erection of perimeter fencing, installation of a temporary site office and safety signage, and disconnection of services.

The heavy demolition of buildings and major structures using excavators or other machinery will not commence until structures are free from hazardous substances.

The works will include demolition and removal from the site of all existing school buildings, including asbestos, concrete slabs, footings, piers, any underground structures and services.

All works including the demolition of structures and removal of asbestos will be carried out in accordance with the relevant Queensland Work Health and Safety Acts, Regulations and Guidelines and relevant codes of practice that govern the management and disposal of such materials. For example, asbestos and all other hazardous materials removed from buildings will be hosed down and transported in trucks with sealed tarps or skip bins. 

Signage indicating the area is private property, a demolition site and that asbestos removal works are in progress will also be installed prior to works commencing.

The bulk of building demolition works are expected to be completed by the end of January 2019. 

Access to and from the site will be from Seventeen Mile Rocks Road. There will be project related traffic or parking on Blackheath Road or Cliveden Avenue. 

Works on site will be undertaken between 6.30 am and 6.30 pm Monday to Saturday. There will be no truck movements after 4.00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Generally there will be no more than 30 truck movements a day at the height of the load out. 

The contractor is required to prepare a Project Management Plan (PMP) which includes all aspects of the demolition phase, potential remediation phase and finishing phase of the works. The PMP addresses these items as well as all health and safety plans including an asbestos management plan.

The contractor must prepare a Safe Work Methods Statement (SWMS) for all works on the site including the handling of hazardous and contaminated materials.

Any identified asbestos materials will be treated and transported as per appropriate Acts, Regulations and Guidelines and relevant codes of practice. For example, it is a mandatory for all materials to be hosed down and transported in trucks with sealed tarps or skip bins where the asbestos is double wrapped in plastic and sealed.

Every effort will be made to minimise the impacts on traffic flow and surrounding residents as a result of the demolition activities.

With respect to the C&K child care centre, the demolition work zone will be contained to as small as possible an area to minimise the impact to their premises and daily operations.