There was strong community support for keeping Toondah Harbour ‘naturally wonderful’ at Welcome Back Shorebirds 2018

In letters this week a challenge is issued to those who say there is public support for residential development on dredged wetlands next to Toondah Harbour  – where is the evidence of this alleged support?

Another writer points out the inconsistency between the Council trying to promote the area as “naturally wonderful” while supporting a project which would be environmentally destructive.

And plaudits for the Welcome Back Shorebirds event held at G.J. Walter Park recently to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Moreton Bay being listed as a Ramsar site. We have included a gallery of photos from this event.

Awakened and alarmed about Toondah

Redlands2030 President Steve MacDonald with a petition asking Council to withdraw its support for Walker Group’s proposed Toondah residential project

I have been following over recent months news about the proposed development of Toondah Harbour proposal for 3,600 homes and a large marine berth capacity. This as I understand was first proposed by Mayor Karen Williams several years ago to the Newman state Government which resulted in agreement from the State Government.

I believe that the project still requires environmental assessments at a State and Federal level. Irrespective, my concerns are as follows:

  • That such a massive development has been proposed for an area which is world renowned as having a fragile environment  as has been documented per the Ramsar agreement. I have serious concerns  that this development will adversely impact on the ecology and environment of the immediate area and also the broader Moreton Bay region
  • That there appears to be little planning for increased infrastructure such as roads, schools etc for the  3,600 homes with a resulting 8,000 to 10,000 increase in population. This would possibly make the area one of the most densely populated areas in Queensland. As things stand the Cleveland area is already an extremely busy area at rush hour and Saturday mornings.
  • The lack of public consultation – Mayor Williams has mentioned that there is local support – where is the evidence? One of the reasons people live in the Redlands is due to the quality of life and this project will massively impact on that.
  • There is also the factor of existing unit and house prices in the area which will be adversely impacted with the addition of an extra 3,600 units.

Although I understand that decisions may have been made by council before the last election my questions to all Councillors and local MPs are:

  • What is are the views of councillors on the existing proposal and how it will affect the quality of life for existing residents?
  • How can concerns be raised by myself and friends and relatives both in the Redlands area and outside Redlands to ensure that this project is significantly changed to become a more appropriate development for the area taking into account the environment and impact on surrounding infrastructure?
  • Have you raised any concerns at a local, state or federal level?
  • Do you have any evidence of public support from the ratepayers of the area for this project as Ms Williams has claimed?
GD
Cleveland

Naturally wonderful

Bar-tailed godwit feeding on naturally wonderful mudflats near Toondah Harbour

Bar-tailed godwit feeding on naturally wonderful mudflats near Toondah Harbour

We watched with interest and pride the media coverage of the visit by their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to Fraser Island.  The emphasis that was placed on the peaceful, natural environment of the Island could not be missed.

We understand that the State Government plans to launch a campaign to promote eco-tourism on the Island.  This is to be applauded.

We have difficulty, however, in reconciling the Government’s approach in this regard with its apparent willingness to accommodate the threatened devastation of the ecology of Toondah Harbour in Moreton Bay by the latest Walker Proposal to construct 3,600 dwellings on reclaimed wetlands that are both a Ramsar site and a State Marine Park.

The Toondah proposal defies attempts to promote eco-tourism in the Redlands and belies the “Redlands Coast – Naturally Wonderful” slogan recently adopted by Redland City Council.

Eco-tourists seek to appreciate natural beauty – not buildings rising out of ecologically sensitive Moreton Bay!

BD
Cleveland Point


Ramsar 25 celebrations were done well

Esme Whitby, a long time campaigner to keep Toondah naturally wonderful, and Cr Wendy Boglary cut the Ramsar site 25 year cake

Esme Whitby and Cr Wendy Boglary cut the Ramsar site 25 year cake

To all involved in the event at last Saturday at G.J. Walter Park I say “great job”.  Both the 25th Anniversary of Ramsar and the welcome to the migratory shorebirds were worthy celebrations and were done well.

For what it is worth I made an estimate of the attendance and counted that about 400 people came to the event and most seemed to stay for most of the day. I congratulate Redlands2030 and Birdlife Australia on the organisation and especially on the quality of the speakers.

I have not engaged in your activities before largely because I expect our Council and our State Government to do the right thing.  From what I heard on Saturday and have since read on your web site it is clear my faith was misplaced.

The idea of building 3600 apartments on reclaimed land in Moreton Bay is absurd and I will be attending future events, if invited.

Also, I will be paying more attention to your web site in future, it is really well done.

TMcD
Ormiston


Welcome Back Shorebirds 2018

Photos from the Welcome Back Shorebirds event held on 20th October at G.J. Walter Park.

Letters and photos published by Redlands2030 – 3 November 2018

3 Comments

Linda White, Nov 05, 2018

This issue is very close to my heart. The proposed development at Toondah Harbour is all wrong for that situation. Redland City Council advertises our natural environment as a great asset yet would allow this inappropriate development to destroy Ramsar feeding areas for migratory birds that depend on this area. Development in other countries has already reduced the feeding areas for migratory birds. This makes stopping the development at Toondah from doing the same even more important.

Michael Harrison, Nov 04, 2018

I like G D have been following the proposed development of Toondah Harbour area, and while I would like to see it remain as it is, think that there is just “TOO” Much Money involved for it to go away.

What we are seeing now is the Kite Flying that precedes projects like this, this is put in place so that later on everyone will be please to except the final watered down version which is what was the developers really wanted, sneaky eh !!

Why do these developers insist on only seeing dollar signs, whereas the majority of people see areas of natural beauty, AND to boot there are no more of these areas being created !!!!

MJH
DUNWICH

Dr Dennis Tafe, Nov 04, 2018

When a wealthy developer changes the goal posts and substantially changes the plan after the Council and State Government have signed an agreement with them, they need to have the fortitude to reconsider their position in relation to the flawed plan. A number of councillors now realise that the Walker Development Proposal for Toondah is heavily flawed so continuing to say you’re now locked in just shows that you’re still not listening to the residents. Unlike the councillors, I have had discussions with the staff of both Stradbroke Flyers and Sea Link. All think that the ferry terminal upgrade is at least 10 years overdue and that car parking is woefully inadequate but they also know that if the Walker Proposal was accepted it would be at least another 10 years before the terminal upgrade would even start. It’s time for you guys and girls in Council to do the job for which you were elected, not side with wealthy developers every step of the way. As for the 1/2 page koala adverts in issues of the Bulletin, these are just a joke when you consider the rate of eucalypt clearing. As a biologist I can tell you that habitat loss is the thing that will drive koalas into extinction on the Redlands mainland and each of you councillors and politicians will be able to look back and say, I was part of that.

Please note: Offensive or off-topic comments will be deleted. If offended by any published comment please email thereporter@redlands2030.net

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