Pandemics, climate change and other reasons for opposing plans for construction of 3600 apartments in the waters of Moreton Bay feature in letters to Redlands2030.
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Ian Mazlin, The Greens candidate for Oodgeroo
I chose to launch my candidacy for the state electorate of Oodgeroo at G.J. Walter Park because it is where the atrocity that is the proposed Toondah Harbour Development would occur. We were lucky to have a beautiful morning and we watched the tide slowly recede and expose the beautiful wetlands where our precious migratory birds feed. That anyone could contemplate destroying this important area is beyond belief.
The major players in this proposed tragedy are all sitting on their hands. the Council quotes a “confidentiality clause”, the State Government claims to be waiting for a Federal response and the Federal Government is “waiting for the science”. Any thinking person knows that this destruction of the Ramsar listed wetlands, the death of the Toondah Koala colony and the complete lack of infrastructure to cope with an extra 8,000-10,000 people makes this proposal nonsensical.
One of my pleasures in life is enjoying the magnificent waters of Moreton Bay in my little boat and I have always enjoyed looking back and seeing the little red roof of the Grand View Hotel behind the majestic Norfolk pines. I can’t imagine this view being replaced by 3,600 apartment blocks.
I intend to do everything in my power to raise awareness and prevent this proposed abomination from proceeding. I invite you to join me.
Ian Mazlin
The Greens candidate for Ododgeroo
Climate change will make Toondah a train wreck
The EPBC Act, as administered by the Federal Government should be called the pro-development, pro-environmental destruction act. That seems to be the path for the Mega Toondah development.
Yet, climate change will have the last word and will expose the folly of so much coastal development. On current trajectories, we will have 560ppm of CO2 by 2035 and a temperature rise of between 3 and 4 degrees (with a lag of a couple of decades). That will mean a sea level rise of between 2.5 and 3 metres by 2100.
Insurance companies are aware of the risks and I think that getting insurance for coastal properties will be well nigh impossible by 2035. Climate change has a long way to run and even if the federal government has no moral compass, the climate does not and will not lie.
I am pessimistic about the Toondah Harbour process because, if history is a guide, the Minister will give it the go-ahead and then we will watch a slow-moving train wreck over the coming decades.
DJ
Cleveland
Population density and pandemics
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I think the Premier has done an excellent job in keeping Queenslanders safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is indeed pleasing to see her listening to the expert’s…. something that has not happened in relation to the proposal for the Toondah Harbour Priority Development Area.
High rise developments with significant population density, as seen in Victoria’s Flemington and North Melbourne suburbs, are “hotspots” for pandemics. And yet the Walker Corporation proposes to construct 3,600 mostly high rise dwellings, many of which are planned to be in the Moreton Bay Ramsar site and the State Marine Park. This development will have a population density of up to 200 people per hectare (compared with the current Cleveland population density of 13 people per hectare). The proposed development area could be the “Ruby Princess” of future pandemics.
I believe if we do not take care of our environment and manage population growth and urban development must be severely constrained to give our public health system any hope in dealing with future pandemics. And experts are predicting more pandemics and possible more dangerous pandemics as well. It is time for the Premier to withdraw the Toondah Harbour Priority Development Area and allow a sensible plan to be developed.
The next version of the PDA should incorporate evidence-based planning that is done in conjunction with the community. A new plan should promote social distancing, other anti-pandemic measures and is in harmony with the sensitive ecological environment of the area.
As historical journalist Professor Michael Wood said “we often look to history in times of crisis. Sometimes this makes us realise we should not try to ‘get back to normal’ because ‘normal’ was part of the problem” (BBC History June 2020).
There are plans that eminent architects have put forward over the years that upgrade the Toondah Harbour Ferry Terminal and surrounds without building into the water and mud flats of sensitive and protected Moreton Bay.
JD
Cleveland
More Letters To Redlands2030
Toondah’s jobs, failed planning laws & COVID-19
Make Toondah An Election Issue In Spite Of Obfuscation By ALP & LNP
Toondah, Redlands’ rates and failed planning
Redlands2030 – 14 October 2020
Any election material in this article is authorised by Steve MacDonald of 104 Channel Street Cleveland.
Please note: Offensive or off-topic comments will be deleted. If offended by any published comment please email thereporter@redlands2030.net
One Comment
I would like accurate information to be imparted to the public about the process of approval needed for the Toondah Harbor development to proceed. Once the Federal Minister for the Environment has made a decision under the Federal Environmental Protection and Biosecurity Act if approval is given the Developer must submit an application to the Queensland Government for approval under the Qld. EPA. I have been assured by the ALP Member for Redlands a week prior to the last Qld election that no application has yet been made and no approval given. The former Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has told the Federal Government that the Qld government will approve the develpoment . The time has not yet come for that State approval to be legally given.