A PUBLIC meeting has sparked growing anxiety among Redland residents and business owners regarding the future of Toondah Harbour.
As plans for the site continue to take shape, concerns about traffic, infrastructure, and the harbour’s ability to handle future growth dominated a forum hosted by the Toondah Alliance.
The catalyst for debate was a confidential briefing held by Redland City Council, in which a scaled-down concept plan from the project’s preferred developer, Walker Corporation, was revealed.
The plan, which proposes up to 900 apartments, was reportedly well-received by councillors in the closed-door session.
However, it has yet to be formally presented for official endorsement.
Traffic congestion, overcrowded transport systems, and the harbour’s capacity to accommodate more passengers were all major talking points during the community meeting.
At the heart of the concerns is the ferry service, which, during peak periods, shuttles up to 10,000 passengers a day to and from North Stradbroke Island.
With current systems already strained, many residents and business owners are questioning how Toondah Harbour can handle an influx of even more people and vehicles.
John Groom, a second-generation ferry operator with the Stradbroke Flyer, voiced his frustration with what he perceives as a lack of meaningful action from government authorities.
“We’ve been calling for proper planning and infrastructure improvements for years,” he said.
“Without adequate parking, proper facilities, or any real solutions to traffic problems, we’re setting ourselves up for more chaos.
“This needs to be addressed before it becomes unmanageable.”
Hydrology and dredging issues also took centre stage.
Local operators, particularly those relying on the harbour for their businesses, expressed growing frustration with the constant need for dredging to combat the effects of silting.
“We’re constantly battling silting, and without proper dredging, the harbour could soon be unusable for our boats,” Mr Groom said.
Residents also voiced frustration over the development process.
“This plan feels rushed and disconnected from what we need as a community,” said one local, highlighting the growing dissatisfaction with the lack of consultation.
“It’s great to have ambitious plans, but we need to make sure they’re practical and address the real issues we face daily.”
Councillor Paul Golle stressed that Toondah Harbour was not just a potential leisure destination but a vital working port that services both North Stradbroke Island and the local maritime industry.
“Toondah Harbour is a working port, not a tourist attraction,” he said.
