REDLAND City Council has officially voiced its strong opposition to the Southern Thornlands Priority Development Area (PDA), warning the State Government that the city’s ratepayers must not be left to shoulder the cost of new infrastructure needed to support the large-scale development.
Mayor Jos Mitchell recently tabled a Mayoral Minute urging the Queensland Government to fully fund essential services and infrastructure required for the growth area expected to house up to 8000 new homes.
“While it does not consider the designation of the Southern Thornlands PDA to be necessary, now it has been declared by the State Government, it is important the Queensland Government ensures the full cost of delivering infrastructure to service future development within the Priority Development Area is borne wholly by the State Government and the developer, and not by existing Redland ratepayers,” Cr Mitchell said.
The controversial declaration, announced by the State Government on April 5, overrides Council’s long-standing planning position for the 900-hectare site, which sits outside the designated urban footprint of the South East Queensland Regional Plan.
Council had previously resolved in 2022 that urban residential uses in the area were inconsistent with its planning vision and formally communicated this to the planning minister at the time.
Cr Mitchell said Council’s own planning investigations demonstrated there was no need to unlock additional greenfield land, with Redland already meeting regional benchmarks for residential supply.
The Mayoral Minute called on the State to commit to funding major projects to service the future population, including new schools, upgraded health and emergency services, expanded public transport, and new and upgraded roads to ease existing congestion.
It also pushed for the inclusion of social and affordable housing in the plan and protections for koala habitats, including the construction of wildlife crossings.
Cr Mitchell stressed that any future community in the PDA must have access to local employment to avoid overburdening the region’s already strained transport networks.
“It is ensured that appropriate employment opportunities are provided both within and in close proximity of the PDA to support both the establishment of a new residential community within the PDA, and the broader Redland Community,” she said.
State Member for Redlands Rebecca Young said the announcement of the 20-year Southern Thornlands Priority Development Area was coupled with the opening of a $2 billion Residential Activation Fund.
“This demonstrates our government’s firm commitment to delivering critical infrastructure such as roads, water, sewerage and power,” Mrs Young said.
“This funding will unlock and accelerate much-needed housing in the Redlands.
“Additionally, the investment into new educational facilities, further funding for Redlands Hospital expansions, and planned improvements to public transport – including the dedicated bus connection from the CBD to the Redlands (business case currently underway) – aligns strongly with the initiatives outlined in our Delivering 2032 strategy.”
