Key issues raised by local councils

Redland City Council

  • Currently completing strategic plan. The Southern Moreton Bay Infrastructure Master Plan appears consistent with council planning in identifying Redland Bay as a potential future recreational/transport marina location.
  • Council advised they would like consideration given to extending the study area to include development at Toondah Harbour. If this is not possible the master plan should consider in its demand modelling that Toondah Harbour is a location being investigated for the development of a recreational/transport marina. Marine development at Toondah Harbour is likely to involve small marine infrastructure. There is no intention to focus on large-scale commercial marina development at this site.
  • Council advised there is a current need for an additional marina given the waiting list for boat storage at the Weinam Creek facility.
  • Victoria Point identified on the master plan as an investigation area for potential future recreational marina development. However, council has questioned whether there is a need for a marina at Victoria Point recognising its proximity to Toondah harbour which is the preferred location for this type of facility.
  • Council identified that ferries are currently experiencing issues in this area due to lack of dredging. Dredging has not been undertaken due to the hard bottom in the canal resulting in a very high cost to dredge. There are also concerns regarding the treatment of dredge spoil in the area and the associated cost.
  • Water taxi and car parking issues at this site that will need to be resolved
  • Land at Victoria Point is owned by council and is currently zoned for open space.
  • An area of Beverage Road is recognised by council as a current marine industry precint through the Redlands Planning Scheme. Council does not support expansion of the existing marine industry identified in the planning scheme due to the restricted capacity of Eprapah Creek, environmental values of adjoining land and Moreton Bay and its major works policy to dredge the mouth of creek.
  • Council has identified that Macleay, Russell and Coochiemudlo Islands could potentially be developed into boating destination points around exisiting ferry terminals.
  • Council recently approved the development of a resort on north Russell Island, which could serve as a potential destination point.

Logan City Council

  • Council supportive of a master plan. Currently adopting the marine industry through the council amalgamation process and is looking at how this industry will be encompassed into the planning process.
  • Council has considerable interest in what may be suggested for the Logan River.
  • Interested in the demand analysis to determine the potential development-timing triggers. How will existing infrastructure connect with proposed infrastructure. A new industry corridor will create considerable pressure to provide infrastructure.
  • Concern regarding the flooding issue in the lower reaches of the Logan River, in particular surrounding the cane farming areas.
  • Concern regarding water quality and the preservation of fish habitat areas and fish passage issues.
  • Changes to the tidal prism has implications.
  • Rehandling facilities for dredge spoil if dredging is pursued in and around the Logan River.

Gold Coast City Council

  • Supportive of the master planning process, recognising the value our clean waterways play in supporting the local tourism, marine and development industries. Also acknowledge the significant work that has been undertaken to identify environmental values and minimise impact at the strategic planning level.
  • Development implications and infrastructure requirements in new areas suggested for development.
  • Ongoing management of the master plan with due regard for the agreement in principle currently being investigated between council and Queensland transport.
  • Cost and environmental impacts of dredging, potential streamlining of approval/ permitting mechanisms and improved procurement process. Inclusion of the Gold Coast Estuarine Modelling System in the channel approvals/assessment process.
  • Fish passage issues.
  • Users of boat ramp facilities are not necessarily residents.
  • Boat ramps have traditionally been sited opportunistically which often results in conflict with residents and can significantly impact on the parks estate.
  • Council has recently purchased property on South Stradbroke Island, including Tipplers Resort.
    • This may result in long term changes to this destination with a stronger focus on environmentally sensitive activities.
  • Clear preference to develop Steigletz and Coomera marine precincts in preference to the mouth of the Logan River. Steiglitz could accommodate the proposed grey boat function.
  • Potential dredge spoil processing through the extractive operations near the mouth of the Logan River would not require urban footprint designation over this land.
  • Dredging concerns in the Broadwater area including the potential commercial extraction of sand to offset dredging costs. This sand is currently an important reserve for the beach and foreshore nourishment.

General council feedback

  • Offering pre-lodgement meetings to proponents who submit development applications under the master plan would provide an opportunity to assist in reducing the time involved with approvals. It would also be important to provide a set of guidelines to assist officers to reach consistent decisions across the study area.
  • Councils will review their plans to identify any conflicting zoning within the master plan in an effort to assist the implementation of the master plan.
  • Car parking around boat ramps places pressure on councils to allocate expensive land near the foreshore for parking. The master plan needs to consider innovative solutions to providing adequate parking using minimal foreshore land.