Lights in the Mud rally shows Toondah angst

Toondah is again raised by a community looking for answers. How was it that a street protest about Andrew Laming was attended by the ALP’s candidate for Bowman and Penny Wong but neither ventured to test community attitudes at much bigger “Lights on the Mud” event on the same day? Questions are again raised about how the State government and the Redland City Council overlooked the Ramsar convention during their joint planning of the PDA and the conception of the idea to plonk 3,600 apartments in Moreton Bay. And a new organisation is formed to amplify certain aspects of the mega residential development at Toondah Harbour.

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Lights in the Mud – bigger than Laming protest

I have been remiss in not moving sooner to congratulate all involved in the Lights in the Mud event at GJ Walter Park. What a scene the Beako puppet and the waving of the mobile phones created.  And of course the rendition of “we shall overcome”.

However, what a disappointment that politicians of all colours (except for Michael Berkman of the Greens) didnt bother to appear.

Labor’s protest at Andrew Laming’s office on the same day was a worthy cause but it was puny compared to the Lights in the Mud.  If Senator Penny Wong could travel so far for the Laming rebuttal, she should have stayed on to witness the Light in the Mud.

As for the seat of Bowman, I hope Donisha Duff, the new Labor candidate for Bowman, stands up for her Party’s policy on Ramsar and Toondah rather than parroting the “jobs jobs jobs” mantra of the local Labor State members.  

Both Kim Richards and Don Brown  seem deaf to the mounting criticism of the Toondah real estate scam from locals as well as major organisations both nationally and internationally. 

Can I say, again, the Lights in the Mud was well done!

SF
Cleveland

Why did the Toondah plan ever get considered?

While the Walker Group is finalising what is said to be the most comprehensive environmental impact statement, for Toondah Harbour, one has to ask a question!

Why did this development ever get considered when this area of Toondah Harbour has been signed off by RAMSAR as a protected area?

The EIS should surely be overuled by Ramsar. The effect on traffic,the shore birds, the wildlife will all be worse off if this continues.

Besides we have a glut of units in Cleveland. 

Regardless of the so called findings of the EIS this crazy development must be stopped now. The only winner is the Walker Group and they just want to make money.

JF
Kenmore

BARC formed to oppose the Toondah PDA

The Bayside Advisory Recommendation Committee (B.A.R.C) was established in response to the Toondah PDA and concern for environmental sensitive issues in the bayside region of SE Qld. B.A.R.C was formed from concerned (local) residents, unionists, tradies, professionals, environmentalists and many other people, all of whom respect the Ramsar convention, the Moreton Bay Marine Park (a legacy of Wayne Goss) and vulnerable Toondah koalas. 

Our committee will meet once a month and advise any groups interested in receiving policy advice and recommendations particularly in the labour movement. Anybody is open to join us if they are interested in discussing environmental matters. 

Outcomes of our meeting were concern for public transport and congestion issues. A recommendation that advised by former transport planner Alex David “I am concerned for the impact on middle street, congestion, car parking, and for the 258-bus route if Toondah proceeds with 3600 units without the infrastructure in place to cater for a surge in population growth”. 

Including concerns for tradies not benefiting from such a proposal locally, if for example, groups like Hutchinson Builders gained a contract at Toondah and supplied their own outside workforce for such a project. Further outcomes came with concern for the Toondah PDA with Chinese investments sharply in decline Australia wide by the Pandemic and current trade tensions. B.A.R.C is very concerned about the potential offsets and damage done to the local community and environment. 

What’s assurance do everyday ratepayers and taxpayers have of not footing the total bill for Toondah, if the development proceeds considering the need to address expanding education facilities, health, and transport needs if the population were to have an extra 10,000 people in the area? 

B.A.R.C – Chair 
Callen Sorensen Karklis

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Redlands2030 – 2June 2021