Redland City Council’s decision to drastically amend a koala conservation submission prepared by Council officers is discussed in a letter to the Editor. Another letter raises concerns about the next Redland City Council budget, and its impact on our high rates and charges. The third letter asks questions about Council plans for the Weinam Creek Priority Development Area.
Council Submission to SEQ Koala Conservation Plan
Redland City Council has voted to support a submission addressing a proposed Koala Conservation Plan for SE Queensland. Thanks to Redlands2030 for publishing a comparison between the original submission prepared by council officers and the version tabled at the Council meeting 18 March, which was carried 7-4.
The comparison highlights significant changes which will only serve to weaken the argument to reduce the most significant issue of koala habitat loss, for example as shown by the redaction of the following paragraph:
The policy aim of Government in all instruments must be net gain of koala habitat, not no net loss. Exemptions to clearing prohibitions should be limited to essential development and an avoidance approach taken as much as reasonably possible, by implementing advanced landscape planning to minimise impact. This approach should be applied consistently across all land use regulatory mechanisms and development assessment processes to remove uncertainty.
The original submission gave reference to current scientific information and addressed key issues such as clarification of rules for development and updating exemptions for clearing. In particular, refer to pages 11-13 where Council officers question the government limits for clearing and propose
- Any clearing between 250m 2 and 500m 2 becomes assessable clearing.
- Over 500m 2 of clearing remain prohibited within a KPA.
Whereas the revised submission supports the larger limit of 800m2.
The original addresses in detail the need to prevent the use of multiple exemptions (“stacking”) to clear larger areas of koala habitat for infrastructure (i.e. p12-14). This was redacted in full.
These are only a few examples of the alarming changes I found which were made to the original officers’ submission.
As reported in the Redland Bayside News 26 March, at the meeting of 18 March, when the Mayor questioned the extensive changes to the officer recommendations, she was not given direct answers. Councillor Paul Bishop denounced the revised version as lacking a firm foundation on evidence- based research and thorough analysis. Those responsible for the selected revisions should have been made to provide detailed justification to support their actions, rather than as reported Cr Talty stated “councillors who do not support particular statements in the submission have removed those statements accordingly”.
On what basis were the selective changes made? This was an opportunity for the Council to “walk the talk” in respect to saving the depleted Redland koala population. Whose interests are driving the position taken by those seven Councillors who voted away proposals based on years of koala research?
JMC
Thornlands
Council Budget should focus on basics
As Redland City Council starts work on its next budget, many residents will join me in asking a simple question: why do we continue to pay some of the highest council rates in South East Queensland?
Households across the Redlands are already dealing with rising costs for food, insurance, power and mortgages. At a time like this, council should be looking for ways to ease the pressure on ratepayers, not make it worse.
Instead, the current budget strategy appears to support new projects and spending that could push rates even higher. Residents deserve to know why the Council keeps backing projects that add to long-term costs while ratepayers are already stretched.
Redland City already has a reputation for high rates compared with other councils in the region. That should be a warning sign, not something that is ignored.
This year’s budget should focus on the basics — essential services, careful spending and better financial discipline.
Rather than talking about how much rates might go up, councillors should be asking how they can start bringing Redlands back in line with other councils.
Ratepayers have had enough. The priority this year should be clear: stop the spending that drives rates higher and start reducing the burden on the community.
R.J.
Cleveland
Weinam Creek questions
More than a decade has passed since the Weinam Creek Priority Development Area (PDA) was negotiated in 2013 and approved in 2014, yet many residents are still asking: what is the current status of the project?
The Weinam Creek Priority Development Area was promoted as a transformative plan for Redland Bay — improved ferry access, better parking, integrated transport, public open space and a revitalised waterfront. While some works have progressed, the overall delivery feels prolonged and unclear.
Commuters to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands continue to experience parking pressure and traffic congestion. Local residents are left wondering what the completed vision looks like and when — or if — it will be fully realised.
Is there an updated master plan available to the public?
Which stages remain incomplete?
What is the total cost to date?
How much additional public funding is allocated?
What is the realistic completion timeframe?
In addition, what is the long-term plan for the Redland Bay Marina and associated port facilities? Are we moving toward a fully integrated and efficient transport hub, or are decisions being made incrementally without a clearly communicated end point?
After more than ten years, residents deserve a detailed public update outlining timelines, budgets and remaining works. Major waterfront redevelopment should not drift without transparent reporting and accountability. In the meantime more and more Redland Bay streets are becoming clogged with parked cars!
If the project is on track, show the community the roadmap. If delays have occurred, explain them. If the vision has changed, outline the new direction.
Clear communication builds confidence. Ongoing uncertainty does not.
S.M.
Redland Bay
More letters to Redlands2030
Petrol price pain and Ormiston College values – in letters to the Editor
Community voices matter – so write letters to the Editor
