Plans for white water sports were not made available at the community open days in April 2021
Lack of community support for development of a white water facility on the Birkdale lands, concerns about loss of wildlife habitat and the Council’s censorship of community action opposing the proposed Toondah wetlands residential development are discussed in letters to Redlands2030.
Have your say by writing to theeditor@redlands2030.net
White water facility on Birkdale lands not supported by community
How did the Redland City Council’s proposal to build the Olympic White Water facilities on Ex-Commonwealth land, Birkdale, come about? This development has come despite consultation to determine an agreed community outcome. The process requires further investigation.
It is obvious the Mayor always preferred to create a Redlands Coast Adventure Sports Precinct, i.e. water sports facility, far removed from what was wanted by the 3 000 people who attended the site and showed little interest in the white water project.
On behalf of family, friends and neighbours, I am hereby requesting any use of the Birkdale Community Land for white water rafting, be rejected, for the following reasons:
- Severe impact on heritage listed places…one being Willard Homestead built mid-1800s, awaiting restoration.
- WWII radio receiving station with antenna,
- First Nations and European heritage values.
- The land must have minimal built structures, with much land preserved as bushland retaining native local flora and fauna, along with conservation of our vanishing koalas, enhancing habitat, wildlife corridors, walking trails, and building of a koala hospital asked for.
- This land must be, as intended, solely for community use for now and into the future, as parkland with something for people of all ages, with its history, culture, and nature.
The Olympic Games will be great for Queensland but the choice of this Birkdale Land for a White Water event is just not a suitable site.
We have to hope the Council listens to the people, not the Mayor.
A.G.
Capalaba
Italian Koala crusader speaks out
I’m writing to you to express my strong concerns and sadness reading this news on the social media of Redlands2030 which read:
“A recently approved residential subdivision near Ormiston College will transform the site of a plant nursery into 44 housing lots including 21 lots that are just 400 square metres. Traffic from the new dwellings will access Dundas Street via Grevillea and Francis streets. Public notification of this development application was not required because the proposal is code assessable under the Redland City Plan. Here’s a link to the planning report: http://pdonline.redland.qld.gov.au/Co…/Output/Document.aspx… and a link to other information about this development application: https://developmenti.redland.qld.gov.au/Doc…/GetAllDocument…”
So another awful development without public notification, awful small lots so more cars, less roads, more rates, less habitat for koalas, more at-risk wildlife, car accidents, dog attacks. LOSS OF MORE WILDLIFE HABITAT.
The Redland City Council claims to support wildlife in the Redlands and has used the koala as an ICON IN ITS LOGO but you continue to approve awful residential developments where koalas live. Once gone it is forever!!!!
I live in Italy, I’m a koala and wildlife advocate and many like me (from overseas) look on in horror the destruction of habitat koala in Redlands and across Australia. After the devastating 2019/2020 bushfires where thousands and thousands of animals died, the destruction of koala habitat, trees and forests the further approval of habitat destruction by Councils, State, and Federal Government is unacceptable.
You have a unique environment and wildlife to protect for the future generation. The planet, humans and wildlife need trees to live. When will Governments understand it? We can not eat money and sadly koalas don’t vote.
Thank you for reading my letter.
Maria PT
Italy
Censorship of community protests at Indigiscapes
On 5th June, 2021, I attended the Environment Community Fair at IndigiScapes Eco Markets.
As I entered the grounds from the temporary carpark on the hill overlooking the centre, I called in at a stall run by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) – Bayside Group. They had signs up about the Council’s planned development at Toondah Harbour- the $1.4 billion residential development which will include 3,600 units to house 8,000 residents.
I was told about a new petition against the development which I promptly signed. I told the people at the stand that I would be meeting friends later at the centre and would tell them about the stall and the petition.
However, when I brought my friends (who were eager to sign the petition) back to the stall later, we were told by the ACF Bayside people that they had been told not to talk to attendees at the Eco Markets about the Toondah Harbour development.
The Council didn’t want anything “negative” at the fair. Stalls, it seems had to be “totally positive” about the environment.
My friends and I were utterly appalled at this censorship of such an important issue for the local community. I have been told by ACF Bayside people who have been doorknocking in the area regarding the Toondah Harbour development that the majority of people didn’t know much at all about the development. Many are shocked to hear about the size of the development.
S.E.
Morningside
More letters to Redlands2030
Small lot housing, LNP preselection for Bowman and Toondah History
Council Censorship, A COVID Royal Commission And Missing Koalas
The Toondah Harbour proposal and future generations’ questions
Redlands2030 – 8 August 2021
Please note: Offensive or off-topic comments will be deleted. If offended by any published comment please email thereporter@redlands2030.net
4 Comments
So we have recently won the bid to host the Olympic Games in 2032 – will the Redlands have any wildlife left by then to show our visitors? It seems the Redlands City Council is a high contender for the gold medal for the lack of concern over our wildlife and environment long before the Olympics have even started… Good one Redlands council.. you’re certainly living up to your reputation of late.
Like many other people I am appalled that Redland City Council is hell bent on closing down opposition to the Toondah Proposal, which would dramatically affect traffic congestion, along with koalas and birdlife in the region of Toondah. If the Ramsar convention was to be ignored and dredging of the Ramsar area was allowed we would have to tolerate heavily laden trucks for the next 20 years and that is a conservative estimate based on the reply of a pro-Walker Corporation politician by the name of Andrew Laming.
Honestly, how can anybody be “shocked to hear about the size of the development’ when there has been so much publicity and community comment and opposition to the project.
Where would I find the public responses to developments like Toondah Harbour, the Whitewater rafting facility and the BIRKDALE McDonalds. I’ve contributed to all of these but have never seen the figures?