Category Archives: General

JENSEN BOWERS is working with principal contractor Keller and Mainland Civil on Spirit in Surfers Paradise in preparation for the construction of foundations which will ultimately develop into the proposed 89-level tower.

A milestone was reached this week with the plunging of the first precast column. The process includes boring an 1800 mm diameter circular shaft deep into the bedrock.

The precast column is then lowered into the shaft and once in place, the column is set at its base into the grout pier. The shaft is then back-filled around the column, the column is released from its platform guide and crane supports, then the process is repeated for each column.

Jensen Bowers are on site to provide orientation, positional and verticality set out, as well as monitoring of the column as it is lowered (plunged). The positional accuracy of the column is to be checked for horizontal and vertical position. This ensures when excavation and infill basements construction works are undertaken, each column is in the correct position and height to align with each of the proposed basement floors.

This process of plunging the columns is one scope element Keller is undertaking over the next 12 months of foundation works. Completing these early works will enable the top down construction process for the tower to commence while the basements works are ongoing.

To learn more about this project, please contact Gold Coast Survey Manager, Wayne Geradts on 07 5600 9779.

Draft South East Queensland Regional Plan Released

Jackie Trad MP has today released the Draft South East Queensland Regional Plan for public consultation. Submissions are open until the 3rd March 2017.

The draft plan and how to have your say can be viewed here.

JB Senior Planner, Andrew McLean has said: “With the continued and accelerated growth South East Queensland is experiencing I’m pleased to see a new plan for the region that is focussing on housing affordability through efficient land use and balancing new land supply with protection of our green spaces”.

Key highlights of the draft plan include:

  • Expected population growth of 2 million people by 2041;
  • 8,200ha of new urban land;
  • Coordination with the State Infrastructure Plan;
  • Identification of potential future growth areas including South Logan, Southern Thornlands and Caboolture East;
  • Cross River Rail Infrastructure Priority; and
  • Maintain interurban break between Gold Coast & Logan and Sunshine Coast & Moreton Region.

Should you have any questions on how the draft plan affects you or assistance in drafting a submission, call 07 3852 1771 to speak to our experienced Planning team.

Contact us_ Andrew McLean

Jensen Bowers would like to congratulate our client, Aura Management Australia Pty Ltd, on its recent acquisition of a retirement living village in Corinda, Brisbane.

The retirement village, named Kingsford Terrace, is located at 260 Cliveden Ave and has a current approval for a substantial redevelopment, which has now commenced.

Led by Planning Manager, Ben Haynes, Jensen Bowers’ planning team assisted in this acquisition with the provision of planning advice as part of Aura’s due diligence investigations.

Aura sought advice on the planning implications, assessment processes and potential risks associated with the site and in respect of a potential redesign of the currently approved scheme.

Mr Haynes said this aspect of the due diligence process is crucial for our clients to make informed decisions relating to the town planning implications and risk when land acquisition is contemplated.

“We provide advice in the most efficient and cost effective manner to assist in meeting our clients’ objectives in terms of determining development potential and risk as part of the due diligence phase of potential acquisition”, Mr Haynes said.

The site borders the Brisbane-Ipswich railway line and is positioned between Oxley and Corinda stations.

Looking for advice about your next project?

Jensen Bowers is a leading property consultancy for Australia’s senior living and aged care providers.

Our experienced team of Town Planners can assist with your next property acquisition and give you advice to help you achieve your development goals.

For more information, call 07 3319 4933 to speak to a JB expert today.

Additional Information:

 

Brisbane City Council (BCC) has identified an urgent need to respond to the looming Retirement Living and Aged Care accommodation crisis by providing immediate incentives and amendments to the planning framework.

A Taskforce established by the Lord Mayor outlines a number of initiatives to encourage retirement living development and ensure older Brisbane residents the option to ‘age in place’. BCC’s immediate initiatives include:

  • Reduction of Infrastructure Charges

Development Permits issued between 1 September 2016 and 31 December 2019 will be eligible for a 33% reduction in infrastructure charges.

  • Streamlined Development Assessment

BCC will assist in a more streamlined approach to the assessment of Retirement Living and Aged Care Accommodation. This will include dedicated assessment managers with experience in assessing retirement and aged care housing, free pre-lodgement advice and a decision on your application within 90 business days.

BCC is also progressing with amendments to the City Plan 2014 to broaden the scope and streamline assessment further for seniors living. Given the processes involved in amending the City Plan this is expected to be introduced in late 2017. Future amendments include:

  • Increase in allowable Building Heights

Within the medium and high density residential zones retirement living and aged care accommodation can exceed the designated building height by 2 storeys and remain code assessable.

  • Co-location with Privately Owned Sport and Rec

Land zoned for private recreation such as bowls clubs and golf courses will allow seniors living as a permitted land use.

  • Broaden Zones

Include retirement living and aged care accommodation as allowable code assessable land uses within the Low Density Residential, Low-Medium Density Residential, Specialised Centre and Community Facilities Zones.

  • Allow Small-scale Supporting Uses

Allow eligible non-residential uses to co-locate with retirement facilities such as child care, community uses, cafes and retail as appropriate.

  • A Single Retirement Facility and Residential Care Facility Code

The creation of one single code tailored specifically to seniors living. This will also include provisions for greater building height on larger sites provided building height transitions are applied.

  • Self-assessment of Re-purposed Building Work

If re-purposing existing retirement facilities to aged care, or vice-versa, there is no need to go through a code assessable development permit. This will allow for a smoother transition for a similar type of land use.

More information can be found on Brisbane City Council’s website.

Looking for advice about your next project?

Jensen Bowers is a leading property consultancy for Australia’s senior living and aged care providers. Call 07 3319 4933 to speak to our experienced Planners.

 

 

Managing Director of Jensen Bowers and Geoimage, Tony Evans, is attending tomorrow’s launch of WorldView-4 (WV-4) – the newest high-resolution commercial satellite to join the world’s leading constellation.

The satellite, owned by DigitalGlobe, will orbit at an altitude 617km above the earth and capture up to 680,000 sq km daily at 30cm resolution.

WV-4 will significantly increase DigitalGlobe’s ability to capture worldwide imagery from their constellation of WorldView 1, 2 & 3, GeoEye-1 and QuickBird2 satellites.

This means quicker captures, more coverage and highest resolution satellite data.

As Managing Director of both companies, Tony is bringing together the innovative technologies and services to provide Jensen Bowers with a performance capability no other company can currently match.

“We are exploring new opportunities to leverage unique expertise and intercompany capability to translate data acquired from our surveys, UAV, laser scanners, satellites and more into packaged solutions to provide our clients their competitive edge”, Mr Evans said.

The launch will be attended by Mark Edwards, Geoimage General Manager, and Tony Evans, Director who are among the privileged few from companies, dignitaries and government agencies around the globe invited to the launch.

It is scheduled for this Friday, 16 September at 11.30 AM (PDT) from the Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, United States.

For more information, read Geoimage’s article, here: http://bit.ly/2cUiCBw.

To learn more about Jensen Bowers and Geoimage’s services, please call our head office on 07 3852 1771.

After initially identifying the opportunities for retirement living with Ashgrove Golf Club, Jensen Bowers’ surveyors and town planners are now part of the project team delivering this visionary development.

In the wake of Australia’s ageing population, Ashgrove Golf Club’s proposal seeks to create a new “lifestyle hub” for seniors.

The joint-venture, with retirement operator Retire Australia, will deliver 154 purpose-designed retirement units overlooking the Golf Course, as well as a brand new clubhouse for members and community use.

Last night on 7News Brisbane, Ashgrove Club President John Shaw, spoke about the vision behind the proposal.

“It’s going to offer sustainability and allow us to be financially viable going into the future,” Mr Shaw said.

The bulletin also featured Retire Australia’s CEO, Alison Quinn, who said “Our vision for the future is that retirement villages become part of the social fabric of our community”.

The services provided by Jensen Bowers for this project, include:

Town Planning:

  • Prepare, manage and lodge development applications; and
  • Community consultation.

Development Advisory:

  • Site sourcing and introductions;
  • Pre-DA advice regarding development prospects and issues; and
  • Ongoing development advisory services throughout DA stage.

Surveying:

  • Detail survey;
  • Service locations; and
  • Aerial mapping.

Jensen Bowers is a leading property consultancy for Australia’s senior living and aged care providers.

Want to learn more about this project or need advice about your next project? Call 07 3319 4933 to speak to experienced Planners or Surveyors.

Jensen Bowers Planning Manager and expert development advisor, Ben Haynes, is witnessing a boom in Early Childhood and Child Care centre development in Queensland.

In a recent interview with Channel 7, Childcare facility boom headed to south east, easing waiting lists, which aired last week, Ben revealed the development hot spots and new centres around Brisbane.

This heat map prepared by JB shows Childcare Centre Development Applications lodged with Brisbane City Council, since 1 July 2014.

Jensen Bowers is a leading consultant to Australia’s Early Childhood Education and Care providers, with recent approvals and Council support for clients:

  • Guardian Early Learning Group
  • C&K
  • Brady Bunch Early Learning Centre
  • Sparrow Early Learning
  • Little Darlings Early Development Centre.

Our team of experienced Town Planners offer services for every aspect of childcare development including site sourcing, pre-DA and due diligence advice regarding development and approval prospects; preparing, managing and lodging development applications; and ongoing development advisory services throughout and post DA assessment.

Do you need a Town Planner or Development Advisor for your next project? Call 07 3319 4933 to speak to a JB Town Planning Expert today.

 

Jensen Bowers is delighted to announce our successful application for a major development on Stanhill Drive, Chevron Island, approved by Gold Coast City Council.

The decision made during yesterday’s Full Council meeting approves a 41-storey, multi-residential development comprising 210 apartments for client AUS MOD Pty Ltd.

AUS MOD’s CEO, David Murray, engaged Jensen Bowers’ experienced Town Planners to coordinate, advocate and advise in respect of this Development Application.

“I selected Jensen Bowers on recommendation and wanting the gravitas of a long-established firm,” Mr Murray said.

 “The service we received was more than professional, amiable and judicious; it was personable and effectual and I look forward to working with the team again”.

JB Town Planning Manager, Ben Haynes, is pleased with the outcome which obtained a density significantly above the control as a result of design excellence.

“This outcome was achieved via the application of our team’s proficient negotiation and influencing skills at both the council officer and at the political level,” Mr Haynes said.

An interesting aspect of the development is the ‘Artists in Residence’ program which will see world-renowned artists working in the art spaces and art gallery on the ground floor, for the benefit of the Gold Coast community. This aspect of the proposal supports Council’s plans for the new Gold Coast Cultural Precinct, nearby.

Negotiations were led by Senior Planner, Andrew Magoffin, who is experienced across all aspects of development advisory including pre-DA and due diligence advice regarding development and approval prospects; preparing, managing and lodging development applications throughout and post-DA advisory services.

Marchese Partners are the architects on the project.

Do you need a Town Planner, Development Advisor or Surveyor for your next project? Call 07 3852 1771 to speak to a JB Town Planning Expert, or visit us at our new Gold Coast office.

 

There are only three days left to have your say on Toowoomba Regional Council’s proposal to down-zone significant areas of land around commercial centres from the Multiple Unit zone to the Neighbourhood Character zone.

There is evidence that with a flexible approach, character houses can be protected and co-exist with vital infill higher density residential development.

Jensen Bowers is making a submission to Toowoomba Regional Council on this matter and is assisting the UDIA with their submission to support the housing industry and balance community needs.

Submissions close this Friday, 9 September 2016. For more information about the proposed changes, please visit Toowoomba Regional Council’s website, by clicking here.

Looking for advice? Call (07) 3319 4933 and speak with one of our experienced Town Planners about your specific requirements.

JENSEN BOWERS is pleased to confirm the opening of our new Bundall office, on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

This represents another exciting step for Jensen Bowers after the opening of our Sydney office last month. We now have full time representation in these two important locations to service the ever-increasing demand for our professional services in surveying, town planning and development advisory.

Gold Coast Office Manager, Senior Surveyor and long-term resident, Wayne Geradts, is committed to maintaining the highest quality services to our existing and new Gold Coast clients, and is keen to increase his involvement in the development industry and Gold Coast business community.

“This local presence will create new opportunities in Gold Coast’s growing property market, especially in the build up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The opportunities for quality development are very encouraging,” Wayne said.

Wayne is a Registered Land Surveyor and has extensive experience in construction and titling, having worked on many large scale projects across South-East Queensland.

With support from JB Town Planning Manager, Gemma Greenhalgh, Jensen Bowers Gold Coast provides clients a broad range of development and construction advice to meet all their project needs.

Do you need a Surveyor, Planner or Development Advisor for your next development?

Please contact Wayne for more information on 07 5600 9779, or simply drop in to our new office located at Wyndham Building, Level 9, 1 Corporate Court, Bundall 4217.

Gold Coast Office Manager, Wayne Geradts