State Government plans for development of 8,000 dwellings in Redlands have firmed with Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie approving a Development Scheme for the Southern Thornlands Priority Development Area (PDA) effective from Friday 23 October 2026.
Following the publication of its Proposed Development Scheme in August 2026, the State Government received a total of 271 public consultation submissions including a late submission from Redland City Council which identified a number of significant deficiencies.
The Koala Action Group has opposed the Government’s Southern Thornlands plans saying development would come at an unacceptable environmental cost.
A summary of points raised in submissions and a table of amendments are included in a Submissions Report prepared by the State Government.
The Government’s submissions report mentions that the following changes were made to the proposed Development Scheme’s Land Use Plan:
- Site-specific amendments have been made, to align with refinements made to the transport network and Green Network.
- The Scheme refines the spatial arrangement of industrial land to reduce interfaces with residential development and improve integration with planned transport infrastructure.
- Minor amendments have been made to the Green Network to improve its alignment with outcomes.
- The Scheme has been amended to remove property descriptions associated with the indicative school sites with final locations to be confirmed through future DoE land acquisition.
The PDA Infrastructure Plan has also been amended:
- Amendments have been made to the transport network to improve connectivity, network efficiency and outcomes.
- Amendments to the Scheme have been made to identify key infrastructure assets.
- Improvements to ensure legibility and alignment.
The modest nature of amendments can be understoond by examining the following before and after images.
Here are links to the Proposed and Approved versions of the Southern Thornlands PDA Development scheme.
Southern Thornlands infrastructure funding
The State Government says that its plans for development in the Southern Thornlands PDA are supported with “more than $544 million in committed infrastructure investment” which is scheduled to be delivered progressively over the next 22 years.
- $256 million in key road and transport infrastructure,
- $137 million for sewer upgrades,
- $93 million for open spaces and community facilities, and
- $29 million in stormwater facilities.
But in its submission about the proposed Development scheme, Redland City Council identified major deficiencies in the Government’s infrastructure funding assumptions. This raises concerns that long suffering Redlands’ ratepayers will be forced to cover a big gap.
Precinct 1 development already underway
When the Southern Thornlands PDA was declared in 2025 the State Government gave immediate approval for development of about 800 dwellings in an area next to Springacre Road which was designated Precinct 1.
The developer of Precinct 1 is Mirabel Thornlands Pty Ltd, jointly owned by two companies: Harridan Consolidated Pty Ltd and URBEX 124 Pty Ltd.
From June to September 2026 most of the vegetation in Precinct 1 was cleared, as shown in the before and after images below.
Keep having your say
The State Government’s plans for Southern Thornlands are environmentally irresponsible and could impose enormous financial costs on Redland City Council and its ratepayers. These are plans to please property developers and construction contractors while devastating a large part of the Redlands.
Let the local MPs know what you really think about the State Government’s plans for Southern Thornlands.
Rebecca Young is the State MP for Redlands (which includes Southern Thornlands) and the Assistant Minister to the Deputy Premier and Assistant Minister for Planning, Housing and Better Regulation. Her contact details are– Email: Redlands@parliament.qld.gov.au Phone: (07) 3446 0100
You could also tell two other local MPs what you think of the State Government’s plans for Southern Thornlands:
Contact details for Russell Field MP for the seat of Capalaba – Email: Capalaba@parliament.qld.gov.au Phone: (07) 3915 0100
Contact details for Amanda Stoker MP for the seat of Oodgeroo – Email: oodgeroo@parliament.qld.gov.au Phone: (07) 3446 9100
ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME IN ACTION!!!
This insidious State Government and Shire Council have to go!
Absolutely disgusting they can destroy this much of the precious Redland’s and get away with it!! Not one person from the public voted or wanted the council to do this… if they aren’t serving us who are they serving!!! 😡😡🤬 more government housing for the mass migration of immigrants taking over and becoming 3rd world
ABSO-BLOODY-LUTELY!!!
Total disregard for the environment and the voters!