Environmental hurdles cruelling development of Toondah Harbour
When you see ecowarriors leaning on environmental laws to stop big projects that will benefit Queensland’s economy and create jobs – despite proponents jumping through every hoop – it’s time we put some sanity back into the debate, writes Peter Gleeson.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WHETHER it’s the black-throated finch, the Russian migratory bird or the bush-stone curlew, they all deserve the very best of protection. No argument there.
That’s why the Ramsar Convention is in place.
It’s about ensuring we balance the conservation challenges of protecting our environment with progress.
As humans, we have embraced progress for centuries and now is not the time to put the white flag up.
So when you see eco-warriors leaning on environmental laws to stop big projects – despite proponents jumping through every possible legal and environmental hoop – it’s time we put some sanity back into the debate.
We all know the story around Adani and the black-throated finch.
The Palaszczuk Government is using the preservation of the black-throated finch as an excuse to stop the Carmichael coal mine.
The state Labor Government’s recalcitrance on Adani has emboldened the Greens and anti-Adani protesters, who now want coal mining banned in Australia. Period. Full stop.
The reality is that the black-throated finch can easily be relocated away from the Galilee Basin mine precinct to an area 10 times the size of the mine.
Adani has put aside 35,000ha for the relocation of the finch at a cost of $1 million.
Fauna experts say this is the best outcome for the finch because feral cats, pigs and dogs are culling the population daily and by relocating them, they stand a much better chance of survival.
Walker Group revises design proposal for $1.4 billion Toondah Harbour development at Cleveland
Toondah Harbour development at Cleveland faces hurdles
Toondah Harbour: Walker Corporation’s redevelopment plan could destroy migratory birds’ habitat
Now, we have a similar drama on Brisbane’s bayside with the eastern curlew, which is being used by activists to stop the Toondah Harbour development.
Toondah Harbour is a $1.4 billion showpiece, with a planned 3000 homes, being developed by the Walker Corporation.
It is the biggest bayside development since Raby Bay.
The main activist group against the development is Redlands 2030, which has waged a vocal and public campaign to stop Toondah Harbour, saying population growth needs to be halted or reduced in southeast Queensland.
Its president and founder is Steven MacDonald, who has links to a South West Rocks residential development in central coastal NSW.
MacDonald, a former public servant, is the proponent of a controversial development application for the Saltwater Estate in South West Rocks, which has been rejected by the State Government and local council because of environmental concerns.
This is what he told the Macleay Argus about his South West Rocks development and the approval rejection: “There is a glaring need for urban land to meet the needs of a growing population in South West Rocks. In the development industry there is frustration because doing business in Kempsey seems harder than it is in Port Macquarie.’’
MacDonald’s critics – and there are many – say he sings a different tune in NSW compared to Cleveland on development issues.
The Redlands 2030 group recently publicly apologised to Redlands Mayor Karen Williams after publishing a video questioning her decision-making around the Toondah project.
The Toondah Harbour development is Ramsar-listed, which protects the eastern curlew bird, and it centres on redoing the Cleveland port, provision of massive open space and thousands of new residences.
Council insiders say Redlands 2030 demands transparency but is reluctant to provide details of its own bona fides and executive structure.
“If they want to get so heavily involved in local politics, why don’t they put up a ticket at the next election,’’ says a council source.
Sustainable development is a motherhood term, a buzzword that emerged in the 1980s as developers tried to get council and state approvals, while at the same time recognising and preserving the pristine values of their projects.
The problem today for miners, developers and entrepreneurs is the sheer volume of environmental hurdles they must overcome.
It’s easier in some cases to keep their money in the bank. By all means save the birds. Save the snails. Save the whales. Save the bees.
But can we do it while preserving jobs and creating progress? Is that too much to ask?
TACKY AD LEAVES BAD TASTE
THE surf life saving movement is as iconic a brand in Australia as vegemite and meat pies.
It saves people’s lives. There is no greater calling.
To denigrate the surf life saving movement is more than being un-Australian.
It’s tacky, disrespectful and shows an appalling lack of judgment and emotional intelligence.
It’s why left-wing activist group GetUp! has no place in Australian political discourse.
GetUp! boss Paul Oosting should resign over the distasteful Tony Abbott ad.
For those who may have been living under a rock these past few days, GetUp! decided to post an ad showing former PM Abbott sitting on a chair, eating an onion, effectively not moving a muscle to help rescue somebody drowning on the beach. This is a bloke who has done thousands of hours volunteering on the beach at local surf clubs around Warringah. This is the same bloke who saved a person’s life in a house fire in his younger days.
Federal election 2019 live: Tuesday April 23
It begs the question of why we, as a nation, tolerate GetUp! as a force in Australian politics.
It also begs the question of how the Australian Electoral Commission continues to determine that GetUp! has no association with Labor or the Greens.
Why is the AEC so reluctant to say GetUp! is a political player?
GetUp!’s attempt at low-rent Animal House-style humour attacking Abbott is a monumental own goal.
Voters almost invariably get it right. Aussies will cop a lot during election campaigns as politicians trade barbs and insults. But attacking a former PM who has spent his life helping the surf life saving movement is the lowest of the low.
IN BRIEF ....
ROAD SAFETY A PRIORITY
WITH new Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll to take over soon, it’s important to pay tribute to the Queensland Government’s commitment to getting hoons off the road. Increasing speeding and parking fines will serve as a massive deterrent to those lead-footed drivers who incur the wrath of police on our roads. It will also add millions of extra dollars in revenue to the bottom line.
UNITED OVER PRISON ISSUE
THE Queensland Council of Unions has just awarded United Voice an award for its campaign attacking Police and Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan over prison problems.
The movement’s Labour Day dinner was held last week.
Guest of honour was Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk
MAJOR GAMBLE
SEEMS one of Australia’s biggest illegal SP bookies is the central figure in betting rorts involving the AFL, NRL, tennis and racing.
ADS ON TAP DRY UP
XXXX has been banned from advertising at Government-owned stadiums. In fact, all beer companies are banned, as is Bundy Rum.
UNDERMINED BY HEAD OFFICE
LABOR’S three Townsville-based MPs. Coralee O’Rourke, Aaron Harper and Scott Stewart face political oblivion at the next election.
They have failed to publicly pledge support for coal mining, no doubt taking their instructions from the executive team in George St.
There is little doubt Labor’s lack of support for Adani will cost them seats at the next election.
SOCIAL MEDIA SINS
A SENIOR government media type – or spinner – has been counselled over social media comments about Clive Palmer.
MAJOR APPOINTMENT
EXPECT a senior union appointment to the state’s Major Projects Board.
All part of Labor’s strategy to look after its mates.
FACILITIES GONE TO THE DOGS
SPOTTED among the crowd at Albion Park dogs last week was former Lord Mayor Jim Soorley.
He was lamenting the demise of facilities, saying the makeshift broadcast box should be condemned.
Soorley was a regular at the Gabba in the 1980s when there were 45 bookies.
Still no word on a new dog track for southeast Queensland.
STILL DRIVEN TO FIX ROAD
LOGAN City Council is in the news for all the wrong reasons but it is pushing ahead with plans to secure funding for the upgrade of the Mt Lindesay Highway, now rated the third worst road in Queensland for accidents.
‘Debacle’: Firestorm over proposed 2032 Qld school calendar change
Should the Queensland school calendar change to suit the 2032 Olympic Games? HAVE YOUR SAY
Vote now: What do you want to ask the leaders?
Steven Miles and David Crisafulli are being put under the pump by Courier Mail subscribers this election. Help decide which question they will be grilled over.