On Mothers Day 2,200 people did the Walk for Toondah, demonstrating strong community opposition to Walker Group’s plans for building 3,600 apartments on Ramsar wetlands next to Toondah Harbour.
People of all ages did the 1,200 metres walk through the Cleveland central business district, including 91 year old environmental activist Amy Glade.
The event, organised by local community group ACF Community Bayside, was supported by various community and conservation groups such as:
- Australian Conservation Foundation
- Birdlife Australia
- Koala Action Group
- Redlands2030
- Wilderness Society
Well known conservationist and ABCTV Gardening Australia presenter Jerry Coleby-Williams gave a key note speech before the march, describing the Toondah project as “one of the dumbest ideas imaginable”.
Quandamooka elder uncle Norm Enoch welcomed people to Country and led the peaceful march (with police escort) through the central business district of Cleveland following the route shown below.
Photos of the Walk for Toondah are presented in a slideshow below starting with drone shots of the the first part of the parade entering Shore Street West (left) and the head of the parade returning past the Cleveland Train Station (right) – photos: megforbesphotography.
2. Beako the giant Eastern curlew 
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4. Quandamooka people led the march 
5. Economy and ecology 
6. In Middle Street 
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10. Cleveland artist Lousie Saunders joined the Walk for Toondah. Some of her artwork will feature in the Safe Harbour Art Exhibition coming soon to St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane: https://www.wildredlands.com.au/ 
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15. Returning by Wellington Street 
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20. Amy Glade who is 91 years old completed the Walk for Toondah 
21. The Pelican 
22. Jerry Coleby-Williams with Kathy Clark 
23. Senate candidate Penny Allman-Payne and Bowman candidate Ian Mazlin (The Greens) both completed the Walk for Toondah. So did Ian’s dog Marley. 
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25.Uncle Norm Enoch welcoming people to Quandamooka Country 
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27. Tania Kromoloff – ACF Community Bayside 
28. Dylan Olliver whose petition on change.org about Toondah Harbour has attracted nearlky 50,000 signatures 
29. Vicki Salisbury – ACF Community Bayside
If you wish to help us complete some of the captions for these images send details quoting the image number to theeditor@redlands2030.net
Videos of the Walk for Toondah
Some short videos of what happened during the event have been uploaded to YouTube. The links to these videos are in the image captions below.
Politicians were there but not local councillors
Redland City Councillors were notably absent. Cr Adelia Berridge said councillors received legal advice that attending the event might constitute a conflict of interest that could result in being disallowed from attending Council discussions about theToondah project.
Candidates for the 2022 Federal Elections who attended the event included The Greens lead Senate candidate for Queensland, Penny Allman-Payne and Ian Mazlin, The Greens candidate for Bowman.
Other candidates at the event included Phil Johnson (TNL), Mary-Jane Stevens (UAP) and Walter Todd (PHON).
News about the Walk for Toondah
News stories about the event include:
7NEWS story aired on Sunday 8 May 2022.
Environmental groups walk to oppose Toondah Harbour development by Emily Lowe, Redland City Bulletin, 9 May 2022.
The developer and the shorebirds – the fight for Toondah Harbour by Jan Bowman, The Westender, 9 May 2022.
Redlands2030 – 12 May 2022
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One Comment
Mother’s Day 2022 is a memorable day seeing so many, some 2,200 people, arrive at Raby Bay Park for the Toondah ‘Save our Bay’ Walk organized by the Australian Conservation Foundation. Nice surprise to see me photographed with niece & Redlands KOALA I tried saving from extinction in my neck of the woods in Capalaba. Our Coolnwynpin Ck wetland site 29-37 Moreton Bay Rd Capalaba had been under “Special Protection in the Koala Coast Policy” where we saw koalas along corridor connecting wetland site. RCC Comm Chairman Cr John Burns (Dep Mayor Talty’s father) successfully cut clause from planning approval conditions so commercial developer Endacott could build warehouse & commercial complex. Env Min Littleproud, with over 300 signatures said EIS required, Rod Welford, Labor Env Min waived the EIS…so the wetland could be destroyed, killing koalas, lining bank with towering concrete walls, keeping locals away, that took weeks first draining mini-crater then filling with imported earth. Today, no koalas, and no local residents able to access the once lovely walkway. Cr Burns & Co changed zoning from ‘Special Protection to Commercial’. Was decision made at this time to cease using the words “Koala Coast?”
In closing, I’m quoting one of Mahatma Gandhi’s quotes: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its ANIMALS are treated”. In Redland City, our native species, the koala, crash to the ground in their native habitat, by developers clearing for human habitat, sadly, with State/local government approval.