State launches Toondah boundary review after 800+ sign petition

The state government will review plans to extend Toondah Harbour’s shoreline into vital wetlands, responding to federal concerns and a community petition.

State Development Minister Grace Grace has informed parliamentary clerk Neil Laurie that the Toondah Harbour water boundaries will be reviewed.

The state government has launched a review into plans to extend the shoreline into ecologically significant wetlands at the busy Toondah Harbour passenger ferry terminal.

State Development Minister Grace Grace made the call this week citing federal government concerns with the plans along with a protest petition signed by more than 800 people.

In a letter to Parliamentary clerk Neil Laurie, Ms Grace said the state review would assess the boundaries of the development, including 49.5 hectares of significant wetlands currently under water.

She said her decision followed Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s proposed refusal of developer Walker Group’s plans after findings that removing 58.7ha of significant wetlands would have unacceptable ecological impacts.

“The environmental loss, damage to the ecological character and associated matters addressed in (Ms Plibersek’s) proposed decision are significant and require detailed consideration to inform future viable development options,” Ms Grace’s letter said.

“Therefore, I have requested Economic Development Queensland to assess implications of the matters and options for the PDA.

“This assessment will include considering potential PDA boundary and development scheme changes.”

The GJ Walter Park on the foreshore at Toondah Harbour. Picture: Supplied

In her proposed refusal in April, Ms Plibersek said Walker Group’s plans would adversely affect threatened and migratory species including loggerhead and green turtles, the eastern curlew and the grey-tailed tattler along with dugongs, dolphins and other shorebirds.

Weeks after the federal announcement, Walker Group withdrew its application for a controlled action approval, stating it required additional time to develop an alternative proposal that aligned with state and federal environmental frameworks.

The Toondah Harbour Priority Development Area was declared in 2014 with initial plans for an 800-unit project along the foreshore.

Toondah Harbour ferry terminal has not had a major upgrade since the Priority Development Area was declared in 2014. Picture: Supplied

However, the real estate project later evolved into 3600 apartments in towers up to 10 storeys high with dredging spoils to be used to build up the required foreshore land.

Chief petitioner Brisbane resident Ian Olsson said the state review was a major step forward for Toondah Harbour and its ecology.

In August, Mr Olsson, and 808 other people, called for the state to exclude the 49.5 hectares of water from the development’s boundaries, arguing that the remaining land was adequate for medium to high-density residential development.

“This is a result of people petitioning the minister and regardless of who takes government in October, this cements the idea of a review for a new minister to follow up on,” Mr Olsson said.

“There is hope that there will be boundary changes that will not allow urban development to impact on Ramsar Wetlands.”

Toondah Harbour is the gateway port to North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Bay, both of which will play major roles during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.