Small lot housing, LNP preselection for Bowman and Toondah History

Small lot housing in Thornlands

Concerns about the Deputy Premier’s push for more small lot housing in Redlands, reflections on Karen Williams’s failed bid for LNP preselection and plaudits for the Illustrated History of Toondah Harbour are discussed in letters published by Redlands2030.

Have your say about Redlands issues and events by writing to theeditor@redlands2030.net

More Small Lot Housing would make Redlands less liveable

I am appalled to hear of a proposal by Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles  to allow more smaller housing lots in the Redlands.  

This, in combination with the Toondah Harbour proposal would only make Cleveland and Redlands less liveable.

With the number of units already in Cleveland, the concept of smaller housing lots, would just add to the congestion.

Without infrastructure to support smaller lots (or the proposed 3,600 units next to the ferry terminal) this is insanity,  and a selfish grab by greedy developers or politicians to make money.

Why would it even be considered? It must be stopped!

J.F.
N.S.I.

Editor’s note: Our post about the Council meeting on 21 July 2021 has been updated to include the Council’s decision to argue to the State Government that there is no need for a new housing strategy.

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Reflections on the LNP’s Bowman Pre-selection Tussle

I was interested to hear Mayor Karen Williams spruiking her virtues to the local LNP Members in her pitch to be the LNP candidate for the seat of Bowman, after Andrew Laming.  

She says  she enjoys a high city-wide recognition.  She may be surprised to learn that that recognition is not always in favorable terms. 

After last local council elections,  first words I heard from aged care worker having walked through my front door, were “why was Karen Williams voted back in, hasn’t she hurt enough people?”

Mayor Williams states she lives for community service but I believe for selective areas of the community. 

I have, on behalf of my local community, lodged a Council petition with 100 signatures.  We requested a shelter for Chantelle Court Park, Capalaba, that has limited infrastructure.

Parks are important.  I recently listened to a  TV program where Lucy Turnbull was speaking for an ageing population.  She said most elderly wish to remain independently living in their own homes rather than moving into nursing homes.  She then said that it was important to maintain fitness and that parks need to be within walking distance of homes and should also be within walking distance of shops.

At Alexandra Hills, across from the shops, when a childcare centre moved, many believed Council would build an Aged Care Home. But to our shock surprise, over a dozen units were squeezed into the area instead.  Redland Council need to start looking at appropriate planning to assist in providing accommodation for an ageing population adjacent to shops and parks.

Mayor Williams negotiated for the Federal Government to sell the Commonwealth land in Birkdale to Council for community use. That looked a good outcome. 

I recall hearing Premier Palasczcuk proudly announce on Channel 9’s  6:00 o’clock news at end of first day of the two community open days that Redlands would provide a whitewater rafting facility for the 2032 Olympics. 

Had the deal been negotiated before the Birkdale Community Precinct open days? 

It seems to me, it was a ‘done deal’ to build a rafting stadium, provide hundreds of car/bus parking spaces,  inundate the land with water sports and all the while inviting people to ‘have their say’! 

It was a heartwarming sight to see small children and elderly local residents writing on boards providing ideas on what they would like to see on the land, with no interest shown for whitewater rafting.  Some 3,000 people attended the site over the two days. 

Did the Council and State Government mislead the Redlands community in asking to provide ideas for future use of the land, knowing that the deal was done long ago? 

BTW, it cannot be known for certain either, if Eastern Busway and rail line duplication will be done any time in the near or distant future, knowing more important infrastructure is in the pipeline in Queensland.

I for one cannot see how a modest stadium for a minor sport, to be used for a couple of weeks in 2032 could ever, reasonably trigger an extension of the Eastern busway or duplication of the Cleveland railway. 

A.G.
Capalaba

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Don’t miss the Illustrated History of Toondah

I hope anyone who is interested in researching Toondah Harbour’s fight against development reads the Toondah Harbour – The Illustrated History.

I only recently came across it, but well done Redlands2030! The history going back to the 1930s about the changes of government policy, people, laws, and the covering up of the truth that unmitigated greed is the driver to develop this precious site.

One aspect that remains constant throughout the decades is the community’s request for more consultation, and local anger that is divisive and unproductive for the Redlands.

V.S.
Ormiston

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More Opinions Expressed By Redlanders

Council Censorship, A COVID Royal Commission And Missing Koalas

The Toondah Harbour proposal and future generations’ questions

Heritage listing and defamation laws in letters to Redlands2030

Redlands2030 – 24 July 2021