Submission about City Plan amendments

Redland City Council is proposing amendments to the City Plan for public consultation up until 29 August 2019.

Information about the proposed Redland City Plan Major Amendments Package 01/19 is available on the Council’s website.

The proposed changes would broaden the range of uses for the Birkdale Commonwealth lands ahead of any properly conducted investigations and community consultation.

The package of amendments does not include any changes to improve the protection of habitat used by koalas and other wildlife.

A draft submission is provided below. To make this submission, copy the words into an email, include your name and address, and send the email to the CEO of Redland City Council.

rcc@redland.qld.gov.au
Chief Executive Officer
Redland City Council

Or you can make your submission very easily with this email template

Submission: Redland City Plan General Major Amendment Package 01/19

Item 6 Birkdale Commonwealth Lands

I object to Item 6 Permitted Uses on the Birkdale Commonwealth Land Site (In Strategic Framework) which seeks to increase the potential mix of future uses to include tourism, recreation, open space and sporting activities.

I propose that this item not be adopted as part of Major Amendment Package 01/19  for the following reasons:

• The Birkdale site has excellent potential for low impact tourism and recreational uses such as canoeing, bushwalking, birdwatching and koala spotting activities considering its proximity to Tingalpa Creek and large amount of existing natural bushland.  These types of activities could be enhanced with the use of interpretive signage educating visitors on the historical, cultural and environmental aspects of the site.
• However, until comprehensive studies and community consultation have been properly undertaken to assess the cultural, environmental and heritage values of the site, any proposed changes to future uses of the Birkdale land are premature and not warranted at this time. 
• The Birkdale site is adjacent to Tingalpa Creek and forms part of a major ecological corridor that stretches from Moreton Bay to Daisy Hill Conservation Area (a region that forms part of the ‘Koala Coast’). 
• Brisbane City Council have long recognised the ecological and biodiversity values of this important wildlife corridor on the opposite side of Tingalpa Creek and have protected it accordingly through land acquisitions and protected the area for conservation purposes.  

Proposed future amendments to the City Plan

I also propose further amendments to the City Plan to rectify its current lack of protection for koala habitat in both the urban and rural areas of Redland City.

The following matters should be addressed in the next package of major amendments:

• Reduction of  ‘as of right’ clearing thresholds on properties covered by the ‘environmental significance’ overlay, as currently no controls are in place to monitor what vegetation is being cleared, including State Government protected koala habitat and habitat classified as ‘Endangered Regional Ecosystem’.  
• Reinstatement of ‘Conservation and Environmental Protection Zones’ on private properties that contain highly important and sensitive environmental areas.
• Retention and strengthening of wording in ‘Local Law 6 – Protection of Vegetation’ to close up ‘loopholes‘ which are currently being used by some landowners to facilitate future development.   

[ Include your name and address to ensure that your submission is “properly made” ]

Name:

Address:

Send by email to rcc@redland.qld.gov.au by 29 August 2019

Redlands2030 – 27 August 2019