Political stand-off over potential sale of Brisbane bushland

Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has vowed to stop koala bushland from being sold to developers if the State Government decides to go down that route.

A koala in Toohey Forest, Nathan. Photo: Toohey Forest Wildlife/Facebook

The Brisbane City Council and State Governmentare have been in a stand-off over the potential sale of multiple bushland sites across the city — but today Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has made a public declaration to step in if the land is to be sold to developers.

This week the Palaszczuk Government offered to sell Brisbane City Council 39.3ha of bushland at Nathan, Carseldine, Oxley and Yeronga at a drastically reduced price to preserve for “future generations”.

Both levels of government have taken a swipe at each other over the potential sale of the land owned by Economic Development Queensland (EDQ), which operates under the Department of State Development.

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Bushland in Nathan near Griffith University. Photo: Google Maps

Minister for State Development Cameron Dick MP outlined in his letter to Cr Schrinner that the Nathan land, which borders on Toohey Forest Park and has a strong koala population, has a market value of $8.8 million but negotiations could see the land sold for less than the book value of $3.2 million.

Queensland Minister for State Development Cameron Dick. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

The other pieces of land offered by EDQ:

— 9ha within the Oxley Priority Development Area

— 20ha near Cabbage Tree Creek, Carseldine

— 0.3ha within the Yeronga Priority Development Area

— Surplus Transport and Main Roads land at Buranda

State Member for Aspley Bart Mellish on Cabbage Tree Creek, linking Aspley State High School and the new Carseldine Urban Village.

In the letter Mr Dick said the sale could be funded through the council’s Bushland Acquisition Program, which last year was used to buy cleared bushland at Mount Gravatt East to stop a controversial townhouse development application.

Environment, Parks and Sustainability Chair Councillor Fiona Hammond took a swipe at State Government over the July 15 letter.

“It is great the State (Government) has shown leadership on this issue and shelved plans to potentially develop koala habitat, but council still needs to consider what has been offered,” she said.

A koala in Toohey Forest. Photo: Brad Lambert/Toohey Forest Wildlife

“At the end of the day the proposed outcome still asks ratepayers to buy land that is already in public ownership.

“This will be considered as we enter negotiations with the State Government.”

While council’s stance has not changed since May 29, when Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the Nathan land was a “prime location that should be protected for the future” but he believed it was “not appropriate” for ratepayers to foot the bill for this land which was already owned by the “people of Queensland”.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner at Brisbane City Hall. (AAP Image/Claudia Baxter)

Today, Cr Schrinner said council would only consider stepping in to stop the State (Government) allowing this land to be developed if it was their intention to on-sell the site for development.

“If it is not the State’s intention to on-sell the site for development, then this public land should be gifted to Council or remain protected by the State Government,” he said.

“We have today written to the Minister and asked the simple straightforward question of does the State intend to on-sell this site for development and I look forward to receiving a response.”

There is a strong and healthy population of koalas living in Toohey Forest. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

State Labor Member for Miller Mark Bailey MP said Toohey Forest was the “environmental jewel of the southside”.

He said the Palaszczuk Government had formally offered to negotiate with City Hall over the remaining undeveloped state owned land in Toohey Forest.

Member for Miller Mark Bailey. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

“There is an opportunity for the two levels of government to work together to lock away this land for conservation purposes,” he said.

“We’re not taking an economic approach … Given they (council) was prepared to pay $5.2 million recently for a block of land without a single tree on it at Mount Gravatt East using the levy.

“If the levy is not designed for this (Nathan) kind of land, then what’s it for?

The Mount Gravatt East community was outraged when a developer cleared land without Brisbane City Council’s knowledge.

“Let’s hope common sense and co-operation prevails from City Hall as this is a tremendous opportunity that future generations will be thankful for.”

State Member for Aspley Bart Mellish MP said if council was to buy the Carseldine land it would “absolutely ensure” the green space along Dorville Rd was preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Plans for the Carseldine Urban Village.

“Since being elected I’ve removed the area along Dorville Rd from development plans (for the Carseldine Urban Village project) and I’ve secured funding for a brand new pedestrian and cycle bridge over Cabbage Tree Creek.

“I’d welcome council coming to the table and helping us to preserve this 20ha of bushland for perpetuity.

“Brisbane City Council already taxes residents through the Bushland Preservation Levy, so this is a great opportunity for them to use some of their locally collected taxes for a great local outcome.”