Brisbane Marketing submission on Toondah

Redland City is an unspoilt jewel for holidaymakers and visitors to Queensland’s south-east according to Brisbane Marketing, responsible for tourism promotion in south east Queensland.

The Brisbane Marketing website includes tourism information about Redlands.

If you want to know where to “see or snuggle with Australia’s favourite cuddly marsupial” Brisbane Marketing lists 7 spots to see a koala in Brisbane.

North Stradbroke Island and Indigiscapes (where koalas are rarely sighted) are included in this list, but not G.J. Walter Park in Cleveland which is more accessible and has plenty of “our furry grey friends”.

Brisbane Marketing, a Brisbane City Council wholly-owned subsidiary, made one of the very few submissions to the Federal Government which supported Walker Group’s proposed Toondah Project which would inevitable wipe out the local koala population.

Brisbane Marketing’s Toondah submission

The Brisbane Marketing submission notes that:

Tourism Australia research clearly articulates that this significant inbound growth market is largely motivated to visit Australia for the aquatic and coastal environment, natural beauty and wildlife.

Brisbane Marketing goes on to say:

An opportunity exists to provide more strategic and direct access to the natural tourism assets including Moreton Bay Island (sic) and North Stradbroke Island. An improved and environmentally sustainable connection between Brisbane CBD and the Moreton Bay and Redlands region will deliver enhanced products and experiences to national and international visitors, The Toondah Harbour revitalisation will significantly elevate the current infrastructure, from a baron (sic) industrial facility to a cosmopolitan and activated precinct.

The submission by Brisbane Marketing does not say anything about Walker Group’s desire to construct 3,600 apartments on dredged Ramsar wetlands which are part of the region’s “aquatic and coastal environment, natural beauty and wildlife“.

The Brisbane Marketing submission suggests that the proposed Toondah project is all about the “revitalisation” of a harbour, when in fact it was referred to the Federal Government as a “residential development”.

The full text of the submission by Brisbane Marketing is reproduced below.

A pdf version of the Brisbane Marketing submission can be viewed here.

Walker Group Holdings Pty Limited Toondah Harbour Development

Brisbane Marketing is the city’s economic development board, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brisbane City Council, playing a key role in the ongoing evolution and success of the city. Brisbane Marketing is responsible for major events, foreign direct investment, Brisbane’s Convention Bureau, profiling Brisbane as an international education destination and serving as the Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) for Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay, Redlands and somerset Local Government Areas.

I am writing to advise of Brisbane Marketing’s support for the Toondah Harbour Project (reference number 2017/7939), a joint initiative of Walker Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Redland City Council and Economic Development Queensland (EDQ). I encourage the Federal Government to allow this important project to progress to scientific investigation that will enable an EIS to be prepared.

Brisbane Marketing has engaged with the proponents in our role as the RTO, and considering the agencies’ core responsibilities, we understand that the project has the ability to be a castalyst for further tourism investment, job creation and economic value for the region.

Specifically, the following benefits and opportunities that could be realised should this important project progress include;

1 Catalyst for further tourism investment

Tourism plays a significant role in the Brisbane economy. With over $9 billion of private capital currently being invested or mooted in tourism related infrastructure and major projects, the sector is contributing strong economic growth. The $1.3 billion Toondah Harbour revitalization project, will provide an important catalyst that can deliver more demand generating tourism product, leading to opportunities for increased tourism visitation.

2. Stronger connectivity to Moreton Bay & Redlands region

An opportunity exists to provide more strategic and direct access to the natural tourism assets including Moreton Bay Island and North Stradbroke Island. An improved and environmentally sustainable connection between Brisbane CBD and the Moreton Bay and Redlands region will deliver enhanced products and experiences to national and international visitors, The Toondah Harbour revitalisation will significantly elevate the current infrastructure, from a baron industrial facility to a cosmopolitan and activated precinct.

3. Access to the region’s natural assets

In 2016, Brisbane realised over 7 million visitors, with international visitors increasing by 9.4% since 2015. This growth has been generated by the strong increase in leisure visitation from china. Tourism Australia research clearly articulates that this significant inbound growth market is largely motivated to visit Australia for the aquatic and coastal environment, natural beauty and wildlife. The delivery of the Toondah Harbour development will enable Brisbane and the region to showcase our world-class natural assets and improves the visitor experience.

4. Significant economic value driver

Tourism is a significant driver of Brisbane region’s economy, contributing $6.3 billion to GDP and employing a total 64,700 people, or 5.5% of total jobs in the region. Beyond the tourism sector’s existing value, the visitor economy has significant growth potential with current forecasts to 2020 indicating that the sector is capable of realising total visitor expenditure growth of 104% and an increased workforce of over 80,000 people by 2020. Coupled with significant private investment in the pipeline, the Toondah Harbour development enables this sector’s growth and visibility, and will be a major driver of new employment.

Brisbane Marketing is highly encouraged by Walker Group Holdings Pty Ltd proposal to develop Toondah Harbour and the potential for it to unlock further private investment in the tourism sector, improve connectivity to the region’s existing natural assets and be a major catalyst for job creation and economic prosperity.

We strongly encourage the Federal government to view this development on its favourable merits and allow the project to progress to the next stage of environmental investigations.

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Oriana Wyrozebska, Senior Manager Investment Attraction (Tourism Infrastructure) from my team on [contact details removed by Redlands2030].

Kind regards,

John Aitkin

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CC: Peter Saba, General Manager Development, Walker Corporation

CC: Mayor Karen Williams, Redland City Council

24 May 2017

Other submissions about Walker Group’s EPBC referral

Submissions about Walker Group’s proposed Toondah Harbour project were obtained by Redlands2030 through a crowd funded Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

The Federal Government says that in response to Walker Group’s latest EPBC referral there were 1,419 submissions – 1,411 opposing and eight supporting the project.

Other submissions about Walker Group’s proposed Toondah project are discussed in these Redlands2030 stories:

Walker Group’s Toondah plan is unacceptable

Property Council advocates for Toondah project

AMCS says Marine Park is too valuable to risk

Infrastructure Association supports Toondah

National Parks Association Toondah submission

Straddie Chamber supports Toondah project

Don’t take Toondah treasures from us

Sealink profit up but Straddie route challenging

 

Redlands2030 – 22 September 2017