Letters, this week, respond to the jobs, jobs, jobs mantra spruiked by the proponents of the Toondah development. Carmen McNaught (The Greens candidate in Redlands), makes the argument about Queensland’s flawed planning system. Finally, a case for reliance on Covid-19 science.
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New planning laws needed
One thing the Toondah saga has made clear is that we need a planning system that puts people ahead of big developer profits.
The Greens want nothing less than a root and branch review of Queensland’s planning laws.
The changes we are calling for would make neighbourhood plans binding, including binding height limits, to end special deals for developers; they would make all major developments ‘Impact Assessable’, strengthen community objection rights and improve transparency in decision making; remove loopholes in the Planning Act, including ‘exemption certificates’ from assessment and the current practice of letting developers choose their own assessor; improve protection for urban green space, wildlife and areas of ecological significance, including veto powers for environmental and heritage assessors; and no development in flood-prone areas, to account for long-term implications of climate change.
And they would make property developers pay their fair share for public infrastructure like schools, hospitals, public transport and green space.
Carmen McNaught
The Greens Candidate, for Redlands
Toondah’s secrets a risk for the community
I read with interest the Walker Group’s letter (Redland City Bulletin 16 September 2020) about the proposed Toondah Harbour Development.
To claim that building 3,600 high rise units on an island in our Moreton Bay Marine Park will provide 500 tourism jobs is imaginative. This development has been shrouded with mystery so I won’t hold my breath for the details.
To suggest that private sector investment by Walker Group is the only way an urgently needed upgrade to the Toondah ferry terminal area will happen is rubbish. Look at page 12 of Council’s latest newsletter and see the State government and Council are spending $34 million on ferry terminals on the Southern Moreton Bay islands. And they’ve invested in similar infrastructure on Coochiemudlo Island.
So why aren’t the two levels of governments giving the ferry terminals at Toondah Harbour in Cleveland and Dunwich the same support? Is their rationale that they can do a deal with the developer to pay for it – whatever the consequences?
By allowing 3,600 units for over 8,000 people to be built on about 100 acres of Moreton Bay is a high cost risk for ratepayers and an environmental nightmare. Ask Raby Bay residents who know only too well the issues of building on fill – and the long-term implications in a world already struggling with climate change.
To claim the Walker Group plans to spend a whopping $160M on a ferry terminal is downright misleading. Have they also included the private marina, the convention centre, shops, hotel etc? And where are the detailed solutions to the present overcrowded car parking? ‘Commercial in confidence’ they say, so we’ll never know until it’s too late.
Turning over public land to build the largest development in the Redlands and allowing a developer to create its own 100 acre island at no cost is wrong. That’s why eight out of 10 locals say they don’t want this dodgy development that will also take in foreshore public land and kill off a healthy koala colony.
Mr Hayes’ comments about RESPECT are laughable. Where is the respect for locals right to know? Independent candidate for Oodgeroo, Claire Richardson, will bring respect to politics as that is what the community is looking for. Not the usual spin of a developer wanting to build on the precious water of our Bay – and pollies blindly following.
TB
Sheldon
Respect for COVID-19 is common sense
If you eat too much sugar, drink too much alcohol, or costume too much red meat the science says it affects your health, not that of your neighbour.
If we indulge in high-risk recreation activities the person most likely impacted through injury or even death is not the person next to you on the bus.
We found smoking did affect those around us and so we restrict where people can smoke.
In the case of the contagious Covid-19, steps should be taken to prevent or at least limit the spread from infected people to others in the community, especially the vulnerable.
Masks, social distancing, washing hands and even strict quarantine are said to be the best we can do for now…
Let’s leave the carping politics to something petty like the name of a hospital!
SH
Cleveland
More Letters To Redlands2030
Redlands Community Ignored By Council And State
Make Toondah an election issue in spite of obfuscation by ALP & LNP
Toondah, Redlands’ rates and failed planning
Redlands2030 -11 October 2020
Any election material in this article is authorised by Steve MacDonald of 104 Channel Street Cleveland.
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