CONTROVERSIAL State Government directions requiring Redland City Council to amend its planning scheme for a series of Minjerribah land parcels have formally come to an end, drawing a line under a planning process that attracted overwhelming community opposition.
Redland City councillors on Wednesday noted advice from Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie confirming a 2021 Ministerial Direction forcing the amendment “no longer has effect” following the expiry of the Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) that underpinned it.
The decision means council no longer has the authority to continue Major Amendment 03/21 – Minjerribah (Site-Specific Land Uses), which was initiated after the former State Government directed council to align its planning scheme with temporary planning controls applying to 25 properties on North Stradbroke Island.
Council will now formally conclude the amendment, notify the community through its website and write to everyone who lodged a properly made submission.
Speaking during debate, Cr Rowanne McKenzie described the decision as “another step in the administrative process” to close out a ministerial direction that was no longer in effect.
She reminded councillors the original proposal generated an extraordinary community response.
“During public consultation on that TLPI, council received 528 submissions, which was a phenomenal response,” she said.
“Only four submissions fully supported the proposed amendment.”
The planning changes stemmed from a Ministerial Direction issued in July 2021 by then Deputy Premier Steven Miles, requiring council to amend the Redland City Plan to reflect a Temporary Local Planning Instrument introduced to facilitate land use aspirations for the Quandamooka People across 25 Minjerribah sites.
Council progressed the amendment under State direction and undertook public consultation between May and July 2022.
The response was overwhelmingly negative, with 528 submissions received.
Council officers said they were unable to adequately address many of the concerns because the State Government had not provided sufficient background studies to justify the proposed zoning changes and council was unable to alter the amendment in ways that conflicted with the Ministerial Direction.
Council subsequently issued a formal pause notice to the State Government in September 2022 seeking further information before progressing the amendment.
In September 2025, however, the State Government decided not to remake the Temporary Local Planning Instrument after determining it was no longer serving its intended purpose.
In correspondence to council, Acting Planning Minister Ros Bates said no development applications had been lodged under the temporary planning controls since they were first introduced in 2020.
She said the planning instrument was “no longer an effective planning tool” to justify suspending the city’s planning scheme or to advance the land aspirations of the Quandamooka People.
The Acting Minister also noted development applications could continue to be made under the existing Redland City Plan, and that preparation of a new planning scheme would provide an opportunity for the Quandamooka People to work directly with council to pursue their land use aspirations.
The matter was effectively settled on May 2 when Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie wrote to council confirming the original Ministerial Direction had ceased to have effect because the temporary planning instrument had lapsed.
“I can confirm that the Ministerial Direction issued by the former Planning Minister no longer serves a purpose or has effect, given the Temporary Local Planning Instrument No. 01 of 2023 … lapsed on 13 September 2025,” Mr Bleijie wrote.
Cr McKenzie said attention would now shift to the development of the new City Plan.
She said she and divisional councillor Peter Mitchell had already met with planning officers to discuss future land use opportunities on Minjerribah.
“We recognise there are very significant environmental and infrastructure constraints on the island, but we also need to consider how we can encourage more key worker housing, which is desperately needed on Minjerribah,” she said.
Cr Mitchell praised the Minjerribah community for engaging so strongly throughout the process and encouraged residents across Redland City to continue participating in future planning decisions.
“I’m so proud of the Minjerribah community for the submissions they made,” he said.
“I say that to remind the community that your voices are heard and they do inform decisions.
“As we move forward with the review of our City Plan, or with any future State planning opportunities where you have the chance to comment, please do… planning matters really do help shape your future.”
Council officers say the only remaining work is to notify the community that the amendment has concluded, with the cost to be met from existing operational budgets.
