Walker Group’s plans for Toondah Harbour remain under wraps

The developer who ditched billion-dollar plans to overhaul one of the state’s largest ferry terminals is actively considering alternative plans which could still include units, it can be revealed.

Although the Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek refused an original proposal, the developer, Walker Group, is still considering new plans which could include residential tower blocks. Picture: Contributed

A developer who ditched a $1.4 billion proposal to overhaul one of the state’s busiest passenger ferry terminals is actively considering alternative plans which could still include units, it can be revealed.

Walker Group withdrew its application for the Toondah Harbour ferry terminal in April after federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek announced her proposed decision to refuse the project on the basis of its environmental impacts.

But a letter from State Development and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace on Wednesday, July 10, confirmed the developer was still actively involved in the project despite withdrawing its initial plans.

Full details of the project remained confidential.

But it was understood that under the terms of the deal Walker would be responsible for designing, building and financing a marina plaza, boardwalk, ferry plaza and foreshore parklands with recreational boating facilities.

The facilities, once built, would be managed and maintained by Redland City Council.

A copy of Minister Grace Grace’s letter about Toondah Harbour. Picture: Contributed

Ms Grace’s letter, addressed to Parliamentary Clerk Neil Laurie, indicated that Walker Group intended to address concerns and potentially resubmit a revised proposal.

The letter also acknowledged a petition signed by 2094 people calling for the state government Toondah priority development area to be revoked, while pushing for upgrades at the mainland ferry terminal and the port at Dunwich on North Stradbroke Island.

“Any alternative proposal will need to be considered against obligations under a development agreement between the Walker Group, the State Government and Redland City Council and also be consistent with relevant state and federal environmental frameworks,” Ms Grace said in her letter.

“Until such time as an alternative proposal is received from the Walker Group and further discussions are had with them and the Redland City Council, it is not possible to provide any further comment on any alternative options, implications for the state’s commercial agreement with the Walker Group or the current PDA (Priority Development Area).”

In April, Walker Group said it needed time to understand and address the federal Environment Minister’s concerns “in order to satisfy government environmental requirements and to determine whether an alternative scheme would be viable for the project partners”.

Ms Grace’s letter also highlighted the need for any new proposals to comply with an existing development agreement signed between Walker, the state government, and Redland City Council.

Toondah Harbour in Cleveland on the bayside. Picture: Contributed

Any development at the Toondah Harbour site would also have to align with both state and federal environmental frameworks.

Walker Group was yet to submit a new proposal and discussions with Redland City Council and other stakeholders have been put on hold.

Principal petitioner Steve MacDonald said the much-need port upgrade was in limbo and called for details of the stalled three-way development agreement to be made public.

“This deal was signed more than a decade ago and we are still bound by these secret provisions, so it is about time that the details are released,” Mr MacDonald said.

“We were told that the future of the project would be decided based on the science, which we now have from the Environment Minister who rejected the plans.

“But now the science on the project is out, we still don’t know the terms of the agreement and the plans are now in limbo.”

Economic Development Queensland said any changes to the PDA would have to abide by the federal government proposed decision, while also responding to the future planning needs for the port.

Walker Group secured the rights to develop the state and local government land at Toondah Harbour in 2014 after it was selected by the state government and Redland council as the preferred development partner for the project.

Under the deal, Walker was responsible for designing, financing and constructing all development and associated infrastructure and for marketing the project, but details remained confidential.

The Department of Resources and Redland City Council owned the land and would work with Walker Group.

Redland City Council said the terms of the deal would remain confidential “as with any commercial agreement”.

In the past, the council has said its partnership with the Walker Group would allow much-needed infrastructure upgrades will be delivered at no long-term cost to council or ratepayers.