REDLAND City councillors have delivered sharply divided reactions to the State Government’s takeover of the Weinam Creek precinct with tensions escalating into a direct war of words between elected representatives.
Deputy Mayor Julie Talty backed the move, saying it would finally unlock delivery while easing the burden on local ratepayers.
“Today the State Government has announced its intention to acquire the key Weinam Creek transit hub site from Redlands Investment Corporation (RIC) so the long-promised extra car parking at Weinam Creek can finally move ahead,” Cr Talty said.
“This action provides the certainty our community has been waiting for and clears the way for real progress after years of delays.”
Cr Talty said council had already acted late last year to clear the way for the State to step in.
“In December following a decade of delays, Cr (Shane) Rendalls and I brought a motion before Council terminating the drawn out process in order to make way for the State to get on with building the car park and transit facilities,” she said.
“I am grateful on behalf of the community that the State is ensuring the project can continue without further disruption and the long awaited community facilities and waterfront recreation area can be planned and built without further setbacks at local level.”
She also credited Member for Redlands Rebecca Young and the State Government for stepping in.
“The State has made clear its commitment to delivering a fresh start for Redlands mainland and island locals, and this acquisition allows Economic Development Queensland to accelerate the delivery of long-awaited car parking for residents on the mainland and the Southern Moreton Bay Islands,” Cr Talty said.
“A unified approach gives us the best chance of achieving the outcomes residents, businesses and island commuters have been calling for, particularly around access, traffic flow, parking and future development.”
Champion Redlands Coast CEO Cindy Corrie said the key issue was certainty.
“When it comes to major projects, certainty and progress is critical,” she said.
“It’s important for Redland’s investment pipeline, for community infrastructure and amenity, and for greater economic development outcomes.
“If the Queensland Government taking back the whole PDA with a coordinated plan to deliver a productive precinct gets this project moving then that’s welcome news. ”
But the announcement has sparked a fierce internal clash within council.
Councillor Paul Golle issued a blunt rebuke, accusing the State of rewriting history on the long-delayed project.
“Weinam Creek has been a Priority Development Area since 2013, always intended as a mixed-use waterfront precinct not a full-line shopping centre,” he said.
“The State Government stepped in, promised delivery of fully funded multi-storey car park and more than a decade later, the site still isn’t finished.
“This has become a political football to mask a simple truth: after 10+ years, successive State Governments have failed to deliver the infrastructure for their transport hub, too often shifting the blame onto Council.
“It’s a state government Priority Development Area, not a Council Priority Development Area.”
Cr Golle then directly targeted Councillor Wendy Boglary in a strongly worded statement.
“Your (Cr Boglary) statement suggesting that the December vote jeopardised the car park at Weinam Creek is not only incorrect it is entirely unfounded,” he said.
“You were present when the Priority Development Area for Weinam Creek was first announced back in 2014.
“You were also in chambers when Economic Development Queensland, alongside the three current State MPs, confirmed that funding had been allocated and that the car park would be delivered regardless of any plans Council may have pursued through the Redland Investment Corporation.
“So, I ask sincerely, why on earth would you now suddenly support a full-line shopping centre in that area, one that would only add environmental impacts and create even greater traffic nightmares? Is this a genuine change in position, or simply politics?
“Your continued political commentary, which has yielded no tangible outcomes since the 2014 announcement, only serves to highlight a concerning lack of transparency with the public.
“While I am not supportive of the current State Government’s claim that they are ‘saving the community’ particularly since they (LNP) actually announced the Priority Development Area under Geoff Seeney in 2014, I am incredibly perplexed as to why you continue to single out the seven of us who made a responsible decision not to place ratepayers in the firing line of what was a Queensland State Government promise.”
Councillor Wendy Boglary fired back, pointing to the December vote as the key turning point.
“‘The decision to terminate the partnership was not a decison supported by all councillors but seven Councillors whose vote in December impacted building the long-awaited carpark at Weinman Creek,” Cr Boglary said.
“It was actually a motion brought forward by Cr Shane Rendalls and Cr Julie Talty and supported 7/3 at the General Meeting in December.
“Even the (State) media release acknowledges that the agreement in place would have delivered a substantial state funded multi-level carpark so the only delay which obviously has annoyed the State Government seems to have occurred when seven councillors voted to “terminate” the agreement in December.
“Those who voted against this motion in December were Mayor Jos Mitchell, Cr Paul Bishop and myself.
“Cr Lance Hewlett was absent for the vote.
“Not sure of future details as to where this decision now leads however it would appear the delivery of the car park is now back on track as it was prior to this rash decision.”
Councillor Rowanne McKenzie said the State’s intervention would relieve a major financial burden on ratepayers, while also highlighting long-standing frustrations.
“For the past decade Redland City Council has been begging the State Government for assistance to deliver the Weinam Creek PDA Project,” Cr McKenzie said.
“Not only was that assistance denied, a former State MP ridiculed Council for not having delivered this project sooner.
“A public transport project that should have been the State’s responsibility in the first place.
“With today’s announcement the new State Government has relieved ratepayers of the $100 million plus financial burden in delivering this multi-use transit hub and they will move ahead with the long promised improved parking and connectivity in the Weinam Creek precinct.”
She said she remained committed to working with the State despite questions around the process.
“While I’d like an understanding from Redland Investment Corporation into why the State felt necessary to take today’s steps to progress the project, I remain committed to working with the State Government and Rebecca Young MP in delivering positive outcomes for our community.”
Councillor Peter Mitchell welcomed the investment but called for consistency across other major projects.
“I note the state’s enthusiasm and $100 million investment in car parking for the SMBI community,” he said.
“I look forward to the same enthusiasm and strong investment at State Government strategic interest and investment areas such Toondah Harbour PDA and Dunwich Ferry and transport terminal .
“That would be fair”
The State Government’s takeover of the Weinam Creek Priority Development Area marks a major reset for the long-delayed project but the escalating public feud between councillors shows the political battle over responsibility is far from over.
