Queensland without the beaches

The 90 houses are being built near the Great Sandy National Park, north of the Noosa River mouth. Digitally enhanced image

The idea of living in the Australian bush with the leaf litter as the garden and gum trees towering above is appealing to a group of investors in a new Queensland housing project.

But the concept has its drawbacks: those who aren't deterred by the prospects of bush fires, snakes and bugs might baulk at paying more than A$1 million ($1.19 million) to live in a house for no more than 12 weeks a year.

Getting water to the remote site in drought-ridden Queensland is another challenge. A stoush between the developers and a nearby camel operation and overcoming the concerns of the Noosa Parks Association lobby group are just some of the other issues to be resolved.

Add to all that building on a site bounded by the Great Sandy National Park just north of the Noosa River and near Lake Corroibah and it doesn't get much harder.

But Brisbane-based developer Petrac said it had found a way to deal with the obstacles and hoped New Zealanders and Australians would be drawn to its unusual housing development without gardens, lawns, fences or swimming pools. The houses can be occupied just three months a year to minimise the environmental impact on the regenerating native bush.

Project architect John Cameron of Brisbane said fire risks would be actively managed. "Creating a fuel-reduced zone around the site will ensure management of a buffer strip with less leaf litter and less highly combustible timber," he said.

The fire management plan could see controlled burning every three, five or 10 years. Fire is a necessary part of this ecosystem and much of the flora relies on it.

As for the bugs, six Queensland architecture firms have designed houses positioned just above the ground and window screens can be opened when insect populations dwindle in winter.

Cameron said large water tanks would collect and store rainwater and drinking water would be purified by sand filters and ultra-violet light systems, so no extra water would be needed. The water system is connected between houses to ensure even distribution.

Louvred windows have been designed to enhance air ventilation and wide eaves create shade. The houses will still have air-conditioning units, to satisfy buyers from Victoria and New South Wales.

Petrac began marketing the second stage of its Beach Road Holiday Homes project on the weekend, inviting guests from Noosa and surrounding areas to celebrate at its 10ha holiday home site across the road from the 90-house project.

Executive director Mark Spedding said cottages at the existing Noosa North Shore Resort would be demolished. This three-star family-oriented holiday park with tennis courts and pool has been a popular holiday destination for years, with families drawn to the area partly for horse riding. Petrac has refurbished the cottage nearest Lake Corroibah which it is using to market the 90-house project.

Petrac received deposits on 23 houses late last year and has laid foundations on a few sites. It has joined with triple Olympian Alex Watson of equestrian business Equathon to promote riding in the area and a new equestrian ring has just been finished.

But if horses are in, camels are out. Petrac has had a public spat with camel owner Dave Madden who has run his camel-riding business in the area for nearly two decades. Petrac said the animals were an environmental hazard because they ring-barked trees. Madden leased land which has been sold to Petrac and he is looking to relocate his camel-ride operation to another beach.

Petrac has also appeased the Noosa Park Association whose goal is to keep the area different from over-developed resort areas of the Gold Coast. It lobbies against high-rise buildings, fights to control the population and protect the area's native bush.

The association had lobbied against a string of proposals at Noosa North Shore for around 20 years, Spedding said. But Petrac had sought its involvement in its plans.

Part of Petrac's plans include building an A$2.5 million ($2.97 million) visitor centre as an area base for the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Noosa Park Association president Michael Gloster said a portion of Petrac's land would be set aside for conservation and he praised the housing proposal, saying the developers had worked with the community to get support.

Not everyone is entirely convinced by the concept.

"You just wait until mid-summer - you won't be able to go outside for the sandflies and then what will you do all day? Stay inside," said one sceptical local.

* Anne Gibson travelled to Queensland as a guest of developers Petrac.

BUSH RETREAT

Beach Road Holiday Homes, Noosa North Shore, Queensland:

* Ninety houses are to be built in the bush north of Noosa.

* 70ha site is bounded by a lake, river, ocean and national park.

* Private Queensland company, Petrac, has an A$150 million ($179 million) project.

* New Zealanders are being targeted and have bought houses.