I WOULD like to respond to the letters received by the Bayside Bulletin in relation to the proposed development scheme for Toondah Harbour, and I thank the community for its feedback during the current consultation period, which finished on February 24.
First and foremost, I want to reassure residents that all submissions and comments received on the proposed Toondah Harbour development scheme will be treated seriously prior to the finalisation of the development schemes.
The Newman government is growing the state's four-pillar economy and I welcomed Redland City Council's request to declare these Priority Development Areas.
PDAs provide a considered, comprehensive and long-term approach to planning and developing large mixed use areas, which are attractive for people to live and work in.
Feedback to date on the schemes has been mixed, with both support and opposition being expressed in community submissions.
I would particularly like to address three concerns here: building heights, open space and dredging.
With respect to building heights, I can reassure the community that proposed development applications will have to demonstrate how building structures will protect views, provide open space and achieve good urban design outcomes. While maps in the PDA documents have indicated building heights of up to 15 levels could be considered in the Toondah Harbour proposed scheme, any buildings considered will need to meet this strict criteria.
An overall aim of both schemes is to create more open space for the public to enjoy. A continuous public space link along the Toondah Harbour foreshore is proposed to provide new recreational opportunities for the community.
While some current open space at Toondah Harbour may need to be partly used for development, the proposed development scheme will provide better access to the foreshore, land reclamation and the possible relocation of an existing car park currently taking up prime land close to the foreshore.
Any proposal to dredge or develop a marina would be strictly governed by the Marine Parks Act 2004. This Act requires detailed environmental assessment, including mitigation strategies and potential for environmental offsets to ensure any marina development does not detract from environmental values.
Let me assure you that I am communicating your views to the government.
It's also important to note this isn't your final opportunity to have a say, the Toondah Harbour PDA will take a long time to develop, and I am confident that council will continue to engage with the community on development at both sites.
Mark Robinson, Member for Cleveland
