What was once a hugely popular sustainable living initiative in Sunshine Coast—the Urban Food Street at Buderim— is now being turned into a housing development plan.
A lot of residents living along the Urban Food Street precinct at Clithero Avenue in Buderim expressed their disappointment after discovering that a number land owned by one of the pioneers of the Urban Food Street initiative, Duncan McNaught, were recently just signed off into a housing development company.
Members of the community further stated how they were still recovering from the aftermath of the Council’s decision to chop down 18 fruit trees last 2017. The latest news involving the housing development plan in the area has become another unexpected and unfortunate controversy.
Despite the negative reactions expressed by the residents of the Urban Food Street precinct, no comments have been given by Mr. McNaught and his partner regarding this matter.
Urban Food Street
The Urban Food Street at Buderim was co-founded by Caroline Kemp and Duncan McNaught in 2009. Over the years, this environmental initiative grew and it became popular amongst the locals at Buderim.
In fact, the Urban Food Street was a considered as a model of a pioneering neighbourhood in Australia that grows and produces large quantities of a variety of fresh and pesticide-free vegetables, fruits, and herbs in public spaces. By simply strolling down the 11 streets at Clithero Avenue, you get to see, enjoy, and even hand-pick a number of food that you need.
Locals feel that a sense of community has been fostered within the neighbourhood thanks to this gardening and produce initiative done by the Urban Food Street.
Given the growing community, the Council has requested the residents participating at the Urban Food Street to obtain a public liability insurance and a free permit in order for them to retain the trees planted on the public footpaths of the streets.
But after six months of ongoing disagreements between the Council and the residents over this matter, the Council was left with no other choice but to chop down 18 fruit trees last May 2017. Apparently, there should be a proper permit applied for by a resident of the area, or the said trees were supposed to be relocated to a private property. Locals were displeased over the Council’s decision to chop the trees down.
Housing Development Plan
Condora Investments, owned by the Rafter family of Sunshine Coast, is behind this Buderim development. The proposed parcels of land to be used in this project were described as underdeveloped by the developer, who also stressed the importance of improving the landscape and streetscape in the area.
The housing development project proposed subdividing the current 4 lots in the area into 14 lots, with block sizes ranging from 700 to 1,500 square metres. The Clithero House, a historic property situated at Clithero Avenue, will be retained. However, most properties are expected to face onto new internal streets after the housing development plan has been completed.
Concerned residents were distraught by this development plan for reasons which include the destruction of trees and vegetation in the area, and the impact of construction in the neighbourhood. Generally, they consider the project to be deeply disruptive to the community’s day-to-day living.