Queensland’s deputy premier has scolded a bayside council for scrapping plans for a shopping centre in a decade-old Priority Development Area, and for voting to rely on the state for desperately needed infrastructure.
Redland City Council voted late last year to cancel plans for a shopping centre to be developed by Consolidated Properties Group at Weinam Creek in Redland Bay.
The area, which is the landing terminal for ferries from the Southern Moreton Bay Islands and their steadily growing population, was deemed a Priority Development Area by the state government in 2014.
The current parking situation has reached capacity, with islanders often forced to park on curbs and green spaces, at the risk of getting a fine.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie sent a letter to Redlands Mayor Jos Mitchell on January 28 about the “regrettable” decision to pull out of the deal.
The plans with Consolidated Properties Group had been in place for almost two years, and were organised through the council-owned business Redland Investment Corporation.
The council made the contentious decision at a December 10 meeting after councillor Shane Rendalls, who represents the area, launched an urgent motion.
Councillors who have spoken to this masthead say they only received the paperwork for change the night before, which is highly irregular.
The motion, seconded by Deputy Mayor Julie Talty, called for council to let the memorandum of understanding with the developer expire at the end of the year.
It also called for council chief executive Louise Rusan to immediately begin negotiations with the state government to build a multi-level car park – but no shopping centre – on the site.
The vote passed seven to three, with the mayor noticeably voting against the motion.
Councillors Wendy Boglary and Paul Bishop also voted against the change of plan.
In a post on his website, Rendalls said local state MPs Rebecca Young, Amanda Stoker and Russell Field had met with 10 of the 11 Redland councillors, Rusan and the chief executive of Economic Development Queensland, which is responsible for the PDA, on December 1.
“EDQ presented a proposal and timeframe for progressing the multi-storey car park at Weinam Creek,” Rendalls wrote.
“We also worked through issues surrounding each of the Priority Development Areas in Redlands.
“This level of collaboration between the state government and Redland Council was previously unheard of.”
Young is also the assistant minister to the deputy premier and assistant minister for planning, another portfolio held by Bleijie.
In the letter sent last week, Bleijie said he had been informed of the decision to “terminate the work that had been done progressing with Consolidated Properties Group” by EDQ.
“It’s regrettable that nearly two years after the preferred development partner was announced, the council has opted to terminate the partnership, stalling development in the PDA,” Bleijie wrote.
He said the government would now need to acquire the land for the car park “as a priority”, as its delivery was an election promise.
“I remain confident that EDQ and council will work together with urgency to reach an agreement to secure this outcome,” he wrote.
“However, should it not be possible to reach such an agreement quickly, the state will consider utilising other mechanisms, like its compulsory acquisition powers.”
In his post about the December 10 motion, Rendalls said councillors who voted against the move “wanted to further delay the process”.
“I, and the majority of councillors, felt that we should not be delaying or standing in the way of the state government delivering the car park any further. There has been 12 years of planning and delay, and still no car park!” he wrote, referencing the 2014 commencement of the PDA.
In a letter Mitchell sent back to Bleijie, dated January 30, the mayor said she was concerned about Rendalls’ motion to ditch the former plan.
“The [motion] was brought to council with little notice, and I held concerns for any possible risk of reputational damage, financial impact and delay in the project,” she wrote.
“I agree with your statement that the situation is regrettable.
“I am disappointed in the approach taken.
“I am confused by the sentiment in your correspondence because all the advice to me, in relation to the [motion], was the action was supported by the state government and Economic Development Queensland.”
The mayor said the council was committed to working with the state to deliver the project as quickly as possible, and that the state had her support to use compulsory acquisition powers if needed.
Construction of the car park was meant to begin later this year, with a planned completion date in 2028.
