REDLAND City Council has made the right call by choosing to join the State Government in planning the future of the Southern Thornlands Priority Development Area (PDA).
For years, Council has taken a principled stand against large-scale urban development in this environmentally sensitive area – citing risks to traffic safety, stretched infrastructure, and the loss of high-value koala habitat.
That position hasn’t changed.
But the broader landscape has – politically, socially, and demographically.
Redlands is facing a housing crisis.
Young locals – many born and raised here – are finding it nearly impossible to get a foot on the property ladder.
Prices are soaring. Supply is constrained. And demand is only growing.
We desperately need more homes.
The State Government has declared Southern Thornlands a PDA, placing it inside the South East Queensland Urban Footprint.
That decision overrides Redland’s local planning scheme and hands development authority to Economic Development Queensland (EDQ).
In short, the State is proceeding – whether Council is involved or not.
In this context, Council’s vote to participate in planning and technical working groups is not a retreat from principle.
It’s a strategic, necessary move to shape outcomes from within.
Stepping away wouldn’t stop development.
It would only remove the community’s voice from the process.
As Cr Jason Colley rightly said: “We may not have the final say, but I cannot in good faith walk away from this process and then look our residents in the eye and say we did everything we could.”
And he’s right.
By staying engaged, Council retains a vital – if limited – role in influencing decisions: advocating for stronger environmental safeguards, demanding infrastructure that supports livability, and ensuring that costs don’t fall unfairly on Redlands ratepayers.
Importantly, this isn’t a battle. It’s a partnership.
The PDA process must not become adversarial.
It is an opportunity – a responsibility – for all levels of government to work together to deliver housing, transport, jobs, and environmental protection in one of Queensland’s fastest-growing corridors.
Yes, the risks are real.
Councillors like Cr Tracey Huges and Cr Paul Bishop raised legitimate concerns about the financial and political consequences of involvement.
But that’s exactly why Council must be at the table – to question, challenge, and influence decisions at every step.
Who else will speak up for Springacre Rd’s safety, for koala corridors like Eprapah Creek, or for the public transport and local jobs needed to support 20,000 new residents?
This isn’t Council’s development. It’s the State’s.
But Council’s involvement ensures someone is watching – someone is speaking up for Redlands’ values and holding developers and the State to account for the infrastructure our community needs and deserves.
Walking away might feel principled. But it would leave the community more vulnerable – not less.
Now is not the time for political posturing. It’s time for leadership.
By choosing to stay engaged, Redland City Council is doing what responsible leadership demands: showing up, standing firm, and striving for the best outcomes – because our growing community can’t afford anything less.
And for that, Council deserves credit.
