State urged to slash amount of wetland for embattled Toondah Harbour project

UPDATED: The embattled Toondah harbour project has hit a new hurdle with a petition lodged calling on the state government to slash the amount of wetland available for the controversial $3 billion high-rise development.

The Toondah Harbour project with the wetlands included, left, and the area if the wetland is removed. Images: Redlands2030

A call has been made to the state government to slash the amount of land for the controversial $3 billion Toondah Harbour high-rise project, five days after the developer withdrew its plans.

A petition tabled with the parliamentary clerk on Monday urges the state to remove 49.5ha of water from the 67ha Toondah Harbour Priority Development Area at Cleveland.

The exclusion would leave 17.5ha of land for the project.

The petition urges the state government to redraw the boundaries of the Priority Development Area so it does not include the water, where Walker Corporation had proposed to reclaim land in Ramsar wetlands and build up to 3600 units.

An aerial view of Toondah Harbour and the wetlands. Picture: contributed

The request, lodged by Brisbane man Ian Olsson, asks Development Minister Grace Grace to reconfigure the boundaries of the project area, effectively excluding offshore construction at the port to “protect Moreton Bay”.

Mr Olsson said the remainder was large enough for a residential development and a modern gateway port to service North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Bay.

Walker Corporation ditched its original plans last week after federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek announced her proposed decision to reject the project.

Following the Walker Corporation’s decision to withdraw its application, Ms Plibersek is no longer required to issue further statements, which were due before today.

The Toondah Harbour land. Picture: Redlands2030

“Walker Corporation has withdrawn its Toondah Harbour PDA development application which would have impacted on internationally recognised wetlands set aside for protection of endangered migrating birds,” Mr Olsson said.

“The state government now has the opportunity to exclude offshore development by reconfiguring the PDA boundaries to protect Moreton Bay.”

The community-based Toondah Alliance group said even further state action was required and the entire Priority Development Area should be withdrawn.

“Now is a good time for the state government to withdraw the entire land area not just the water,” spokesman Chris Walker said.

“The minister’s announced proposed decision this month indicated it will not be possible for the development to occur in Ramsar wetlands at Toondah.

“Once the Ramsar wetlands are taken out of the development area there is not much left apart from the ferry terminal and carparking and the council-owned CSIRO site.”

The Department of State Development said the Toondah Harbour Priority Development Area was put in place at the request of Redland City Council.

A state spokesman said the priority area was designed to attract new development, improve the port, boost tourism, attract visitors and create new business opportunities and jobs.

The state also said it would help existing businesses and provide the local community with better services and facilities.

“The Queensland Government will continue to work with Redland City Council to identify opportunities to fulfill these goals in a sustainable manner, including improving access to Minjerribah,” the state spokesman said.

“Following Walker Group’s withdrawal of its controlled action application, we understand that Walker Group is considering next steps, including whether there are viable alternative options which will require further consideration by the Queensland Government and Redland City Council.”

Capalaba State MP Don Brown slammed the petition.

“To propose medium- and high-density units on G.J Walter Park shows complete ignorance of the previous local protests,” Mr Brown said.

“Unfortunately, a lot of the Toondah debate over the years has been hijacked by people well outside Redlands.”