Thirteen Narangba businesses caught up in political fight over zoning uncertainty

More than a dozen businesses in a suburb north of Brisbane have been caught up in a political fight ahead of the council election.

Michael Kennedy from Kennedy's Timbers in Narangba. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

IN a time of business uncertainty, the plight of several employers in a suburb north of Brisbane has morphed into a political fight.

In 2016, 13 businesses in the Narangba Innovation Precinct (NIP) found themselves on the wrong side of the road when, Moreton Bay Council changed their land from being a Restricted Industry precinct to General Industry.

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As a result, the 13 businesses, while they do have existing usage rights, are not complying with the general industry zone and lack certainty into the future.

Michael Kennedy, who own nearby Kennedy’s Timbers, said the businesses found it hard to purchase new equipment, change output volumes and even get finance from the banks because they were technically non-compliant with the zoning.

“No one wants to see the expansion of restricted industry here or a return to the bad old days (years ago before environmental restrictions were enforced),” he said.

“They want strong environmental compliance and security of tenure.”

Mr Kennedy said vacant NIP land also had state government covenants in the titles to ensure no new restricted industry businesses could set up in the estate.

Some businesses in NIP have been lobbying the council, state government and now candidates in the local government election to help give the 13 businesses some zoning security.

Mayor candidate Peter Flannery released a statement in support of the businesses, saying he would work with the State Government to find a solution.

Moreton Bay mayor candidate Peter Flannery.

“Over 2000 people work in these businesses and most of them are locals. I want these businesses to keep generating local jobs,” he said.

Michael Kennedy’s wife Penelope donated $12,100 to Cr Flannery’s election campaign, leading some to question Cr Flannery’s independence over the matter.

Mr Kennedy said the donation from his wife, who is not a director or employee of his business, was because “she likes him, thinks he’s a sensible man and would be a good mayor”.

He said it was nothing to do with getting his support for the estate.

Cr Flannery said any business or individual had the right to show support for any candidate by making a donation towards their campaign in line with current legislation.

“The donations I have received to assist my mayoral campaign are not from prohibited donors and I have complied with all new disclosure requirements of the Queensland Electoral Commission,” he said.

“If any development application is lodged with Council from a donor to my campaign, I will

comply with legislation and declare a conflict of interest which will prohibit me from

influencing and being involved in the decision.

“The donors to my campaign are fully aware of my legal and moral obligations and have not requested anything in return.”

Meanwhile, the 13 NIP businesses, some of which have been in place for decades, will continue lobbying for zoning security that would allow them to keep operating and help live up to the “Innovation” precinct name.