With the Federal election result less than 10 days away, it is unlikely a vote for the LNP will be a vote to save Toondah.

Based on their record in government, two successive Environment Ministers have failed to stop this private development on public land including the Ramsar wetland in the Marine Park and on foreshore parkland that houses koalas. 

Josh Frydenberg deemed the Toondah Harbour development was a ‘controlled action’ under the EPBC Act and Susan Ley did not use her powers to stop or scale back this development to something more sustainable in and around the existing ferry terminal. 

This has left a situation where the proposed 3,600 unit will be assessed by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared by the developer, Walker Corporation. This EIS is currently being prepared, and once it is finalised there will be an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposal. An invitation to comment will be published on the Department’s website at:  epbcnotices.environment.gov.au/invitations/.

Acting Assistant Secretary of the Environment Approvals Division of the Environment Department, Laura Smith, wrote on behalf of the Minister due to caretaker provisions that ‘The Minister will carefully consider all public comments, relevant statutory and policy documents, and Australia’s obligations under the Ramsar Convention in making a decision on whether the proposed development can proceed. Should you like further information on this matter, please email ToondahHarbourAssessment@environment.gov.au.

I hope that if the LNP forms government, the new government will change course and that the statement in their election material (pictured) ‘protecting our unique natural environment’ will include internationally-significant wetlands in the Moreton Bay Marine Park and Redlands’ koalas.

Locally, LNP candidate for the seat of Bowman, Henry Pike, provided the following response to my request for a statement on his position on the future of the Toondah Harbour development:

‘Thank you for reaching out on this issue, Dylan.

Through my extensive doorknocking, I know that concerns about the Toondah development (and the environmental and infrastructure implications of the project) are widespread in the community. I am also well aware of the promised benefits of the project, and that many people in the Redlands want to see it come to fruition.

The next stage for the proposal will be the finalisation of a comprehensive Environment Impact Statement by the proponent, which will go on public consultation and then be assessed by the federal environment department.

There are aspects of the 10-year journey of this proposal that I would have liked to have seen done differently. However, the reality is that I am seeking to be elected as our federal representative as this proposal reaches the ‘tail end’ of its approval processes.

If elected, I will seek to do the following in relation to this project:

1. Ensure the community has its voice heard during the EIS consultation period.
This 40 day period will be critical for the local community to come to an understanding about what is being proposed, and then to make an informed response to it. I will ensure that this process has adequate public attention and that the department and government decision makers are aware of the community’s response. I will certainly not be using my role to ‘cheerlead’ for or against the development.

2. Ensure the Federal Government’s processes are not politicised.
The Federal Department’s decision on this matter must not be a political one. Any decision on the EIS must be based purely on the evidence, with full consideration of the community’s response to the proposal and Australia’s legislative and regulatory framework.

3. Fight to secure more Federal Government investment in Redlands infrastructure.
Regardless of whether this development is approved or not, the Redlands requires significant investment to bring our infrastructure up to the standard required to meet the needs of our growing population. For too long this has become a political football between the levels of government. I want to break this stalemate and create a more bi-partisan and outcomes-focused approach to infrastructure investment in our city.

4. Continue to maintain open dialogue with all sides of the debate.
My door will always be open to both proponents and opponents of the proposal, as well as other members of the community.

It is important to recognise that, if elected, I won’t have the power to approve or reject the development. The proposal is now locked into an assessment process that will need to come to a conclusion one way or the other.

Kind regards,

Henry Pike