Council today voted to extend the Weinam Creek Priority Development Area (PDA) Request for Proposal to provide Walker Group with three more months to complete their proposal.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the extension would enable Walker’s proposal to accommodate feedback provided by the new Council.

“The Weinam Creek PDA project remains a priority for both Council and the State and we understand the project is essential to upgrade the port at no cost to ratepayers and provide a sustainable, long-term solution to parking at Weinam Creek,” Cr Williams said.

“Walker Group requested more time to complete their final design concept and financial offer and this extension also enables Walker Group to take into account feedback by new Councillors provided at a workshop on 13 April.

“The main point Councillors made was to improve public car parking and strengthen public access to the foreshore.

“The foreshore of Weinam Creek and its view of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands are what makes this site truly special and we want to make the most of it through infrastructure like pedestrian promenades and parks for the benefit of the whole community.”

Redland City Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards said it was important the community remain patient while necessary steps to make the multi-million dollar project a reality occur.

“I am as keen as every other Southern Moreton Bay Islander to get this project happening,” Cr Edwards said.

“But we need to be patient and accept large, mixed-use marina developments that improve public port infrastructure take time and this is just another necessary step in the process.

“The latest draft of the proposal I have seen from Walker Group has hit the mark in most areas, so I consider we are on the homeward stretch for this Request for Proposal stage.”

Once the Request for Proposal phase is completed on 1 August 2016, an evaluation panel made up of representatives from Council and the State will assess Walker Group’s proposal. Should it meet all guidelines and achieve goals to upgrade public infrastructure, provide a world-class mixed-use development and grow the Redlands economy, a period of commercial negotiations and detailed design work will follow.

Walker Group will then need to apply for the necessary development and environmental approvals from the State and Federal Governments and Council and these steps will involve further community consultation.