Redland City Council’s plans to spend $200 million on a sports and recreation centre at Heinemann Road in Mount Cotton have been held up by the Federal Government.
The Council recently referred the Heinemann Road project to the Federal Government for consideration under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
In its referral, the Council said it did not think the project which involves clearing of 550 trees should be a controlled action under the EPBC Act.
The community had an opportunity to comment on the Council’s Heinemann Road EPBC referral from 31 January to 14 February.
The Federal Government announced by public notice on Friday that this project will be a controlled action requiring assessment and approval under the EPBC Act before it can proceed.
The Federal Government also announced that the project will be assessed by preliminary documentation. This process requires public consultation for a minimum of ten business days.
Information about the EPBC Act environmental assessment process is available in an on-line fact sheet published by the Federal Government.
KAG reaction to Heinemann Road decision
Redland City’s Koala Action Group (KAG) said it was pleased with the Federal Government’s decision to make the Heinemann Road Sporting and Recreation Precinct a controlled action under the provisions of the EPBC Act.
“This provides our group with a level of confidence that the Federal Government see merit in overseeing development proposals that negatively impact endangered species such as the Koala said KAG President Debbie Pointing.
“This allows the community to make further comment on this project that intends to destroy about 550 trees including more than 300 koala habitat trees” she said.
Mayoral candidate raises cost concerns
Mayoral candidate Jos Mitchell has expressed concern that the Redlands ratepayers could be financially impacted by the Council’s decision to award an $80 million contract for preliminary works ahead of obtaining all applicable environmental approvals.
“If the contract for Stage 1 of this project was signed prior to the referral to the Federal Environment Department, I am wondering if there are any contractual penalties which will result in further costs to ratepayers” said Ms Mitchell.
Redland City Council has not yet made any announcement acknowledging the Federal Government’s decision to make the Heinemann Road Project an EPBC controlled action.
Council information about the Heinemann Road sports and recreation project can be found on the Have Your Say webpage.
Redlands2030 – 6 March 2023
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One Comment
Where were our Councillors? How did the Council miss Ramsar requirements? What are they doing when there is a job to be done? Is Council rotten with a yes mam culture?
Is it just another example of failed governance?