DEVELOPMENT is making Logan mad. Populations the size of small cities are moving south west. Families come for affordable homes and a bit of space. Like long-term residents, most will commute down the Mount Lindesay Highway to Brisbane or Ipswich for work.
Mount Lindesay Highway. There’s a story. The RACQ ranks its as the third worst road in Queensland. The solution – to some congestion problems at least – rolls out in the form of the Logan Enhancement Project, a masterpiece of modern engineering but a toll road. Users will pay.
Green fields, meanwhile, are dozed to build houses for arriving families. Bulldozers, dust and noise replace rolling fields. Environment groups are up in arms.
Developers don’t apologise. They’d say they jump through hoops to cross their t’s and dot the i’s they need for approvals: think environment studies, wildlife plans, parks, services. Some like Lendlease and Peet work closely with community associations at burgeoning Yarrabilba and Flagstone to provide services that improve local lives. Will those that follow do the same?
Here’s something you might not know about Logan – acting mayor Cherie Dalley dropped it into conversation the other day: “When you think Logan, you think urban. In fact, 70 per cent of Logan is rural.”
Roads and water committee chairman Cr Phil Pidgeon says radical action is needed so council can keep up with roads and infrastructure needed for the growing population.
The council was on Tuesday, July 17, expected to approve funding for 13 southwest roads. The community has been asked to help council decide where to put another sewage plant.
We need jobs. Logan’s business base is growing as evidenced by the turnout at the Logan Small Business Expo. Industrial land zoning is under review.
The good news? There’s a burgeoning of arts, culture and sports with support for Rockin’ Jimmy’s, Logan Live and Roar FC.
