$1.3 billion luxury harbour development labelled 'unacceptable'

A plan to remove protections from 58.7 hectares of an internationally significant Australian wetland to build a luxury housing development has been struck a significant blow. Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek announced on Tuesday a draft decision to reject the plan as it would have a “unacceptable impact on a range of threatened and migratory species”.

Walker Corporation had dubbed its controversial $1.4 billion Toondah Harbour project on Queensland's Moreton Bay a "visionary transformation" of the area. The plan was to replace the habitat of migratory birds including endangered eastern curlews with a “stunning foreshore parklands, a lagoon and family water play area” with more than 3,000 apartments, retail outlets and a 200-berth marina.

Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) said the minister had made a “landmark decision for nature and people”. “Walker Group’s marina and high-rise apartment plan would have destroyed irreplaceable feeding grounds for migratory birds, a big chunk of the Ramsar wetland and mature eucalypts that are home to koalas and other wildlife,” its CEO Kelly O’Shannassy said.

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ACF has led a sustained campaign against the development, along with BirdLife Australia, Australian Marine Conservation Society and the Toondah Alliance. It said Walker Corporation’s development should have been rejected in line with a department recommendation to then environment minister Josh Frydenberg in 2015.

Why did Plibersek reject Walker Corporation's Toondah Harbour development?

Plibersek said her decision was made after meeting with Walker Corporation, residents, businesses, Quandamooka representatives and environmentalists.

“I have made my proposed decision, which is to protect Moreton Bay from unacceptable impacts from a proposed development. These wetlands are rare, unique and important to prevent the extinction of animals like the eastern curlew and loggerhead turtle,” she said.

“My proposed decision says that we can’t destroy portions of this internationally important wetland.”

Walker Corporation has been contacted for comment. A 2022 assessment by the company found the development would not have a significant impact on the curlews as their numbers had already significantly declined.

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The company has 10 business days to respond to the minister’s draft decision.

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