Dr. Andrew Byth                                                         

MB BS, FRANZCP,
Byth Medical Pty. Ltd.
ACN  010 646 358
Psychiatrist.

24th August,1999

Cr Jim Soorley
Lord Mayor BCC
GPO Box 1434
Brisbane   4001


Dear Cr Soorley,

Re: Natural Sciences Precinct (NSP)

Proposed at 80 Meiers Rd Indooroopilly, Brisbane

My home is situated about 50m from the NSP, on Meiers Rd.  Heavy traffic numbers and speeding on this minor neighbourhood street make it already dangerous for pedestrians and motorists.  Doubling the staff numbers on this site will lead to a 50% increase in traffic on Meiers Rd., according to the NSPšs figures.

Historically, Meiers Rd has always been designated as a neighbourhood access road.  I believe that the BCC was mistaken in redesignating this road as a district access road earlier this year (?  How can a dead-end road provide access through a district), without any physical upgrading of the road to warrant its elevation up the road hierarchy.  I intend to appeal this decision.

The NSP plans are totally contrary to all the principles of the Draft City Plan, particularly in relation to requirements to place larger institutions on major roads.  I do not know of many residential dwellings in Indooroopilly which resemble NSP buildings- ground floor garages, three stories of laboratories with greenhouses on the roof.  The NSP is of no benefit to the local community.

A substantial number of residents demonstrated and formed a picket at the site, which is an indication of the high levels of emotion this issue is generating in the community.

We have presented a petition to State Parliament, opposing the NSP, with in excess of 1,000 signatures.  There are only 638 households in Long Pocket.

I wish to request that the BCC abandon its support for the NSP, as this development will be clearly detrimental to the local community.

We are endeavouring to help locate larger more suitable sites, which will meet the long-term needs for scientific research.  These exist at Pinjarra Hills, DPI land at the mouth of the Brisbane River, Sandford and Gatton, near Brisbane.

There is massive public opposition to this project.

Yours sincerely,



Dr Andrew Byth (resident).


This page is maintained by

The Rivermouth Action Group Inc

E-mail: activist@rag.org.au

as a community service.