State planning decision provides opportunity for Minjerribah vision

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams has repeated her requests to the State Government and QYAC to work with Council to create a vision for North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) that shows the community what will be built on land included in the State’s recently imposed Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI).

Cr Williams said she had been calling on the State Government for years to develop a vision or strategic plan for the island, and the recently released TLPI provided the perfect opportunity for that to now occur.

“The State Government’s decision to rezone these properties provides the perfect opportunity for them to work with QYAC and the whole community to develop a vision for the island that shows the community what will be built on these properties,” Cr Williams said.

“I have been calling for a transparent and consultative vision for the island for years and, on the back of this State Government decision, now is the time to develop that vision so the community can be part of the island’s future.

“We also need to know what else is on the horizon, what other land is yet to be rezoned and what is planned for it.”

Cr Williams said the end of sandmining provided a great opportunity for the island, but it was an opportunity that was at risk of being missed due to the absence of a clear and collaborative vision.

“Sandmining has finished and I think the majority of people have moved on from that, but the issue is they don’t know what they are moving on to,” Cr Williams said.

“It is frustrating and while it would be easy to throw stones or bang the table, I think this needs to be seen as an opportunity to hit reset and work as a community to deliver for the island.”

Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell said the community deserved to know what was planned on the island.

“The community’s main concern is a lack of information and transparency, so I urge the State to use this as an opportunity to create a vision,” Cr Mitchell said.

“There is no doubt Minjerribah has an exciting future, but that can only be realised if the whole community and Council are part of that future and can see what is planned.

“Providing a transparent plan for the island will give the community the chance to have its say, as well as giving the State Government the chance to work with Council to plan any infrastructure needed to support the island’s future.

“The Minister has directed Council to rezone these properties and so we will start that process, but in the meantime development applications can be made now under the State’s Temporary Local Planning Instrument, so it is important a clear and transparent vision for the island is created as soon as possible.”

Cr Williams said she had written to both the State Government and QYAC offering Council’s assistance in developing a vision for the island.

“This should not be about politics but people; the broader community including the Quandamooka people and elders already living on State lands to have appropriate services and infrastructure as a key priority.”