It is extremely disappointing to see Queensland Labor’s response to a community petition of 6063 signatures requesting an inquiry into the decisions that lead them to support Labor donor, Walker’s 3600 unit development over a RAMSAR-listed internationally significant wetland at Cleveland’s Toondah Harbour.

How sad that State Development, Tourism and Innovation Minister, Hon Kate Jones MP’s legacy will be to destroy this important ecological nursery for one of Queensland’s most important environmental and economic assets, Moreton Bay. (response in link below) 

In summary her response shows all that is wrong with their decision to place property development over planet. It makes excuses that this development of this size can somehow be done in a way that doesn’t have much impact to sensitive areas (1/2 million cubic metres of seagrass beds, mangrove forest and inter-tidal migratory feeding habitat dredged). The EIS the approval is being assessed on is being carried out by the developer and political support for the project is based on Walker’s forecast of what jobs will be created and not any known figure or factoring in the environmental costs. Transparency and genuine community engagement has been largely absent. (see letter quotes below)

‘Development must address how it will seek to avoid, minimise and mitigate impacts to sensitive areas’

‘Walker Group is now preparing the draft EIS and it is currently anticipated that they will submit the draft Toondah Harbour EIS to the Federal Government by the end of 2020.

‘Council, all relevant state government agencies and other key stakeholders were extensively consulted during the scheme making.

‘Walker Group has stated that the $1.4 billion project will: provide $116 million of community infrastructure; and create 1,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs during construction and 500 FTE operational jobs. ‘

There is community support for appropriate redevelopment of the existing ferrry terminal area, we don’t have to destroy a wetland!

While the Palaszczuk Government is keen to protect our human health, they don’t seem to have any desire to protect our environment for future generations and wildlife to enjoy �