Media Release 18 September 2014
Toondah Harbour and Weinam Creek development process
A Redland City community network today expressed concern about the Government’s rushed process for development at Toondah Harbour and Weinam Creek.
Redlands2030 spokesperson Steve Macdonald said that the LNP Government’s Priority Development Area declarations resulted in a botched consultation process and minimal community support for the proposed developments.
“Given that the consultation to date has been flawed, it is particularly concerning to hear Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney say today that the community should not expect to have any further opportunity to consider Walker Corporation’s detailed plans for development.”
“When the draft development schemes were put forward for community consultation they were the subject of widespread criticism about the Council and Government’s failure to adequately consider community and environmental impacts.”
“Of particular concern was that the Council withheld technical studies including environmental reports from the public until after the consultation period ended.”
“The Government and Redland City Council have failed to explain how a new commercial development at Toondah Harbour will impact economically on the struggling Cleveland CBD.”
“More than 1,200 people signed a petition calling for the Government to withdraw the Toondah Harbour plan and undertake a more balanced and consultative planning process.”
Community protest against Toondah Harbour PDA in February 2014
“Hundreds of people protested against the Toondah scheme and made submissions to the Government which appear to have been largely ignored.”
“No evidence has been made available to the community which shows any significant level of public support for the proposed scale of development in these environmentally sensitive areas.”
Much of the Toondah Harbour Priority Development Area is within the Moreton Bay Ramsar site. An expanse of tidal mudflats and seagrass beds support marine life such as turtles and dugongs. This area also supports many migratory shorebirds. These are matters of national environmental significance protected under Australia’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Dugong in Moreton Bay
Contacts:
Redlands2030 contacts:
Steve Macdonald mobile 0418 790 203
Chris Walker mobile 0419 675 465
www.redland2030.net