IF the $1.3 billion Toondah Harbour project is approved by the federal government in December, work is likely to start mid to late 2018.
After federal approval is granted, environmental impact studies and state approvals are expected to take a further 18 to 24 months.
The federal government has delayed taking a decision on whether or not to approve the $1.4 billion Toondah Harbour redevelopment, the fifth time the project has been delayed.
The department says it will suspend the decision for a further 65 business days after an appeal from the applicant Walker Corp, pushing it out to December 5 and on to the cusp of Christmas.
It might mean a nasty festive season present for locals who have fought a vigorous campaign against the expansion due to its impacts on wetlands, corals, parks and foreshores.
Walker Corp's original plans were lodged in December last year.
Walker Corp general manager Peter Saba said his company requested the delay to give new Environment Minister Josh Frydenburg time to understand the project before a decision was made.
“We didn’t anticipate a new minister after the election,’’ Mr Saba said. “We need to give him plenty of time to get up to speed and be briefed by the department.’’
Mr Saba said plans for the project largely had not changed from that which was displayed on the company website. “We’re not making any changes at this stage,’’ he said.
The original start date of 2017 would be pushed back.
“If all goes to plan and we get an approval, we expect the (state) EIS process will take a further 18 to 24 months,’’ he said.
A spokesman for Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the Queensland government was ready to respond to any decision by the federal government.
“We will continue to work with Walker Group and Redland City Council to develop a plan for Toondah Harbour which will protect our environment while delivering for the local economy,’’ he said.
Redland City Council mayor Karen Williams said she had no problem with the delay. "This extension is not surprising,'' she said.
"We always suspected that with a new minister for the environment following the July federal election that they would need this extension to assess the referral.
"I have always said that it is important the federal government takes as long as it needs to consider the best framework for the project’s environmental assessment.
"It is important our local environment is a major consideration in the planning and delivery of this exciting project, and with the federal government having now requested several extensions to consider the potential impacts and benefits, we can all be confident the environmental assessment process will be robust and thorough.’’
The huge project will cover 67ha of which 49.5ha will be over water. It will have a 400 berth marina, retail, restaurants, commercial space and units.
Federal approval is required for the development as it extends into the Moreton Bay Ramsar site, which is subject to Commonwealth legislation.
The EPBC Act referral decision is not a project approval.
Rather, it is the starting point for a regulatory assessment process at Commonwealth and state level, which will include the opportunity for the community to have its say on the project.
