Toondah Harbour saved: a personal reflection

But like many of us, I’m busy, caught up in my own little life, working full-time while attempting to stay healthy and maintain some semblance of a social life. So, I often forget that I share Moreton Bay. I share it with the 25,000 humpback whales that cruise past each year, and the 800 dugong that snuffle across the seagrass. I share it with the largest resident population of bottlenose dolphins in the world, and the 40,000 shorebirds that start and end their massive migrations here. I share it with over 30 threatened species, including the Critically Endangered far eastern curlew, whose population has declined by 80% in the past 30 years. And I often forget that Moreton Bay is one of the most important wetlands in the world.

Moreton Bay represents a place where we must find a balance between these values, where recreational activities, ecotourism, commercial fishing and coastal development must be considered against the needs of the wildlife that depend on the Bay.

Unique wetlands protected

On 9 April, Tanya Plibersek, Australian Minister for the Environment and Water, set out a proposed rejection of the 1.4 billion-dollar Toondah Harbour development.

“I have made my proposed decision, which is to protect Moreton Bay from unacceptable impacts from a proposed development,” said Plibersek.

“These wetlands are rare, unique and important to prevent the extinction of animals like the eastern curlew and loggerhead turtle.”

The initial intent of the project was to provide much-needed updates to the Toondah ferry terminal, a proposal generally supported by the community. But the project expanded over time and in its end form would have involved redrawing the boundaries of the internationally protected Moreton Bay Ramsar site, destroying habitat for threatened and migratory species to make way for a marina, housing and a commercial precinct.

You can view the history of the Toondah Harbour developments here.

Many parties to the outcome

The Minister deemed the impacts of the project unacceptable, citing the removal of 58.7 hectares of internationally protected wetland that are relied on by a number of threatened species.

Plibersek’s proposed decision led to the developer, Walker Corporation, withdrawing their application, meaning that the Ramsar site will remain intact.

This outcome underscores the values that we must keep front of mind here in Moreton Bay. That we can, and should, enjoy the beauty and opportunities that Moreton Bay offers, but this must not come at an unacceptable cost to the wildlife with which we share the Bay.

This outcome did not materialise out of thin air. It was brought about through sustained efforts by the Toondah Alliance, Birdlife Australia, Redlands 2030, representatives of the Quandamooka people, environmentalists, thousands of Redlands residents and businesses, and many other concerned individuals and organisations around Australia.

I love Moreton Bay and I appreciate the opportunities granted by developments. But the Bay is also an internationally important wetland teeming with life, serving as a bastion for countless species, from humpback whales to far eastern curlews. We must consider the welfare of these species when assessing developments. Tanya Plibersek’s decision to reject the ecologically damaging Toondah Harbour development, brought about by consistent advocacy from local groups, is a brilliant example of this consideration.

Read more of these stories in Issue 18 of the CBCS Newsletter and follow us on X (Twitter) and LinkedIn.