Independent Claire Richardson calls for a better deal for the local community on Toondah Harbour

Popular local independent Claire Richardson has today released artist impressions of the controversial Toondah Harbour development.

Ms Richardson who is running as an independent candidate for the seat of Oodgeroo said the community deserved to know the full impact of the development on their community in the leadup to the Queensland election on 31 October.

Are the ALP & LNP colluding to foist the mega-Toondah PDA development onto an unsuspecting community?

“Both major parties have abandoned the community with support for the massive development at Toondah Harbour. I will be a strong voice to protect the interests of our community and, if elected, will advocate for better community consultation and ensure our birds, koalas and marine environment are protected.

“The artist impressions I released today give the community the full picture of what the development could look like if allowed to proceed in the area that includes RAMSAR listed wetlands.

“I commissioned these images and paid for them out of my own pocket to show the full impact of the proposal. These images are based on publicly available information provided by the developer. It is unfortunate I have been forced to do this because the developer failed to release their own images to ensure the community was properly informed.

“Both State and Federal Government need to prioritise the protection of our local environment over the development of a massive new suburb in Moreton Bay. I’m very concerned that politicians will try to use the Covid-19 economic recovery as a reason to fast track inappropriate developments like this.

“I will work for a better solution involving genuine community consultation and engagement and ensure we get a say in the development.

 “I am offering a real alternative to both the LNP and ALP to make sure our voice is heard on the Toondah Harbour proposal,” Ms Richardson said.

Who is Claire Richardson?

Claire is a successful businesswoman who built a Capalaba based scientific and engineering consultancy she founded 22 years ago. Her expert advice is sought throughout Australia and internationally, including to many of the largest infrastructure developments.

Claire received a PhD from the Department of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, and has a BSc(Hons), graduate diplomas in the fields of air quality and acoustics as well as a graduate diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She was a State finalist for Telstra Businesswoman of the Year – Business Owner and Innovation categories.

Ms Richardson concluded “If we want to protect Toondah Harbour and our coastal way of life, we need to stand together. Please support my campaign for election as your State MP for Oodgeroo. Chip in today – https://vote4claire.com.au/index.php/donation/ “

Redlands2030 welcomes a real alternative to the closed minds of both the ALP/LNP

When first aired the scale of the Toondah Harbour Priority Development Area (PDA) was to provide for about 800 apartments. It was a few years later, without extra planning or consultation, the developer’s yield was ramped up to windfall 3600 apartments. How this was agreed to has never been explained?

There are unresolved questions about the making the PDA especially how critical policy and planning aspects were not addressed including the Redlands community plan, the international ramsar convention, international bilateral wader bird and flyway agreements, the Moreton Bay Marine Park, regional greenspace, the SEQ Regional Plan, threatened species and koalas.

Perhaps more telling was the way the local community has been excluded from the process. Its impacts on livability and quality of life overlooked despite overwhelming opposition to the development.

Key national organisations including the Australian Conservation Federation (ACF) and Birdlife Australia have joined with Redlands2030 to resist, what is nothing more than a real estate scam to be built below sea level on the bed of Moreton Bay.

In the absence of transparency and accountability Redlands2030 petitioned the State Parliament for a Commission of Inquiry into the making of the PDA. It is the biggest e-petition in the history of Redland City.

Steve MacDonald, President of Redlands2030, said today ” We welcome Claire Richardson’s standing for the seat of Oodgeroo and her determination that the community should know the full impact of the PDA development.” At last the people of Oodgeroo have a chance to demonstrate that the Toondah deals need to be subjected to far greater levels of consultation, accountability and transparency!

I also thank her for her professional interpretation of the proposed development, a much clearer picture than anything the proponent has delivered 5years. To date impressions from the Walker Group have focussed on community space like the option of the uncosted swimming lagoon.

Redlands2030 – 25 August 2020

Any election material in this article is authorised by Steve MacDonald of 104 Channel Street Cleveland.