GOOD work by activist group Redlands2030 on the Toondah Harbour redevelopment has shone a light on a tricky issue for all governments – the extent of public right to know about developments.
Redlands2030 has been pushing for years to get more information on the proposed $1.4 billion residential and marina development and has just won the backing of the Information Commissioner to have a swag of documents released.
Redlands2030 members oppose the development on many grounds, particularly about its size and impacts, and especially in relation to the use of publicly owned land in the G.J. Walter Park area by the developer.
A critical area which might stop or reduce the project to a size that is not profitable is the plan to develop adjacent prime bird habitat.
Toondah is a public-private partnership. These deals are not uncommon and have become fashionable with governments who seek to use them as a way of saving money.
They usually mean that a developer builds public infrastructure at their own expense – in this case upgraded harbour facilities – with the quid pro quo being profit-making development rights.
It’s a tricky area and at least to some degree, developers should have the right to do their figures and put plans to government in reasonable commercial confidence.
Trouble is, politicians are sensitive to bad publicity that a project like this might bring even if it’s reasonably sound. This tends to encourage them to say as little about the issue as possible for fear of giving protesters too much ammunition for attacks.
Regardless of the political tooing and froing, politicians are paid by us to work for us and transparency in decision making is a vital part of democracy. In reality protection of political position and strong ideological beliefs on issues like development often appear to take precedence.
To add spice to Toondah is that developer Walker Corp is a donor to political parties. In itself this does not mean anything nefarious but it raises suspicions, provides ammunition for those opposed to the project and promulgates the view that governments and developers should be more at arm’s length.
We are yet to see what, if anything, these documents reveal. Regardless, it is good to see public rights upheld in this way.
Redland City Bulletin offers all its readers a happy Christmas and a wonderful new year. Our next edition is on January 2.
