Redland City Council has approved the first 205 residential lots for the Shoreline master plan community at Redland Bay South, but has asked the applicant to do more work before the green light is given for a further two stages.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council today voted on the first three stages of the $2.3 billion Shoreline community, approving one stage, but only agreeing to the other two stages if the applicant could prove there would be no impact from a nearby poultry farm.

“Today we issued a development permit for Stage 1C of the plan, which will see 205 residential lots, 1.6 hectares of community parkland and upgrades to three major intersections in Redland Bay,” she said.

“As part of this decision we have also asked the applicant to do some more work regarding the potential impact of a nearby poultry farm on 139 lots in Stages 1A and 1B.

“Under our planning scheme, residential properties can’t be built within 500 metres of a poultry facility and we aren’t yet satisfied the homes proposed in these areas won’t be impacted by odour.

“The applicant will now have to provide a third party assessment proving there won’t be any impact before we grant a development permit for these additional two stages or provide sufficient evidence the poultry farm has been abandoned.”

Cr Williams said Shoreline had been planned over more than a decade and approved by the State Government in February 2015.

“When complete, Shoreline will deliver $100 million in infrastructure – including major upgrades to state roads and tens of millions of dollars in other infrastructure at no cost to ratepayers.

“The project will not only create new homes for our residents, but also generate thousands of constructions jobs, as well as an estimated 1800-1900 other new jobs within the Shoreline urban area after construction.”

Division 6 Councillor Julie Talty said today’s decision provided approval to start work on the first stage of the project, with applications for a number of other stages to follow for the 279 hectares master plan community.

“It is expected to take 15 years before this community is complete across a number of stages, with considerable community infrastructure such as road upgrades and community parks to be delivered along the way,” Cr Talty said.

“Approval of stage 1C gives the applicant the go ahead to start work on 205 lots, and will trigger upgrades to intersections at Giles/Gordon/Redland Bay Rd, Boundary St/Redland Bay Rd and Double Jump/Redland Bay Road.

“The State Government has also conditioned multi-million dollar upgrades to eight major intersections over the life of the development and road works north and south of the development, including the duplication of Serpentine Creek Road.

“Before any residential lots can be sold the applicant must also get approval a dedicated wastewater treatment plant, which will be decided under a different application.”

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said she is “totally supportive” of a move by Brisbane City Council to make access to Moreton Bay and the islands easier from inner-Brisbane marinas.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk announced during his annual Property Council of Australia presentation this week that Brisbane City Council was looking to facilitate urban marinas and moorings allowing passengers to be transported down the Brisbane River to Moreton Bay.

“If more people can access Moreton Bay and islands, particularly North Stradbroke Island, Coochiemudlo Island and the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, it would mean significant tourism potential for Redland City; so I am very supportive of Brisbane City Council’s plans,” Cr Williams said.

“Moreton Bay and its islands are the jewels at the end of the Brisbane River, so why wouldn’t you look to make access easier for tourists and existing Brisbane residents? It is a no-brainer and we are 100 per cent behind it.

“In fact Redland City Council recognised this opportunity in our 2015-2020 Tourism Strategy and Action Plan and traditional owners, the Quandamooka People, have already trialed a proposed route.

“Redland City CEO Andrew Chesterman and I were also at the initial Brisbane Marketing roundtable where this idea was discussed and I am happy our input was included as part of this concept.

“Brisbane hosted more than 7 million tourists last year and if we were able to tap into just a percentage of these visitors it would be a huge economic coup for the city.  That means money through the doors of local shops and restaurants and a real sense of confidence for locals.”

Cr Williams said the infrastructure needed to accommodate this new ferry route was the type of innovative ideas needed to ensure North Stradbroke Island’s economic future following the end of sand mining in 2019.

“The State Government’s decision to end sand mining by 2019 has the potential to cripple North Stradbroke Island if something is not done urgently to set up viable economic alternatives quickly,” Cr Williams said.

“Since the State Government made the decision to end sand mining early, we have been lobbying them to ensure there is a solid plan supported by adequate funding and I am not convinced this is the case yet.  The State Government should throw its support behind this proposed new ferry route to help get things moving.”

Cr Williams said the fight for more funding for North Stradbroke Island had begun.

“Council has been actively agitating for more support,” Cr Williams said.

“Don’t Leave Straddie Stranded is the message to the State Government and all candidates.”

“The $28 million allocated to the North Stradbroke Island Economic Transition Strategy is not even remotely close to what is needed to fill the economic void that will be created by the departure of the mining company.

“This represents just 17 per cent of the estimated $55 million sand mining brought to the Redlands economy each year.  Council believes $120 million is closer to the mark in order to support the projects that have been identified.

“The end of sand mining will not only impact Straddie and the Redlands, but also the wider South East Queensland region, so regional initiatives like that being proposed by Brisbane City Council make sense and I call on the State Government and neighbouring councils to adopt a similar approach.”

Cr Williams said the $1.3 Billion upgrade of Toondah Harbour would create a world-class marine facility that could accommodate larger boats from Brisbane city and beyond, supporting this initiative and creating further regional tourism opportunities.

“The Toondah Harbour Priority Development Area is a significant project in its own right, but when you look at it in the context of what it could mean for expanded ferry services from Brisbane City to the Redlands it shows just how much potential it could deliver for not only Redland City but the entire state.”