BOWMAN MP Andrew Laming has waded into the debate about whether to redevelop Cleveland’s ferry terminal.
In a provocative Facebook posting, Mr Laming asks should Canberra tick off the current proposal.
The posting explains that no Toondah development is possible without federal approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Mr Laming said he was gauging public sentiment ahead of the federal government appraising the environmental impacts of the project on the harbour’s waters.
Under the Act, any development of federal government jurisdiction waters is subject to federal government approval.
All Toondah Harbour waters along with about one third of Moreton Bay are covered by the Act, unlike waters at Redland Bay’s Weinam Creek.
The preferred tenderer, Walker Group, is due to submit an application to the federal Environment Department for assessment.
Mr Laming said he had not entered the public debate about developing Toondah Harbour until now because there was “not much he could do before an application was made” to the federal government.
He said he had already been in contact with Redland mayor Karen Williams and federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt about the pending submission.
The federal Environment Department will assess the submission, which will outline the benefits of the development and proffer any information about possible impacts to the bay.
“This is an independent process that does not involve the minister so there is no political component to the approval,” Mr Laming said.
“I’ve had extensive consultation with constituents about the project – particularly those who have had concerns and have been lobbying me.
“But because the final proposal is yet to be presented to the commonwealth, there is absolutely no role for me or the minister at this stage.”
The federal department will assess the Walker Group submission before sending a recommendation to Mr Hunt, who is legally bound to endorse the advice.
The council, in conjunction with Economic Development Queensland drafted a design for the area following public consultation which ran from January 10 to February 24 last year.
Those recommendations were sent to the state government for consent in March last year before the Walker Group was announced as the preferred tenderer in September.
