THE future of Toondah Harbour has been thrown into fresh uncertainty after Walker Corporation confirmed it is walking away from the long-running redevelopment, ending more than a decade at the centre of one of Queensland’s most contentious waterfront proposals.
The decision leaves the Priority Development Area in place but with no clear pathway forward, ramping up pressure on State, Federal and local governments to finally deliver the long-promised upgrade to the critical transport and tourism hub.
Walker confirmed the redevelopment “will not be proceeding any further”, saying that under the project’s Development Agreement, “Federal environmental approval obligations” could not be met within the required timeframes and “the approval milestones were unable to be achieved”.
The company said that despite the efforts of all parties, “achieving the milestones was no longer possible”.
Walker was appointed preferred development partner in 2014 after the Queensland Government declared Toondah Harbour a Priority Development Area the year before, formally entering into a Development Agreement with the State and Redland City Council in 2015.
The initial vision promised to revitalise the harbour with a mix of residential, retail and tourism use alongside major infrastructure upgrades, including a new ferry terminal and expanded public facilities.
Over time, the proposal grew into a $1.4 billion project featuring up to 3600 dwellings, with parts of the development extending into Ramsar-listed wetlands in Moreton Bay.
From its earliest stages, the project faced fierce opposition due to its location within internationally protected wetlands and habitat for migratory shorebirds, marine life and koalas.
Federal assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act became the defining hurdle, culminating in a proposed refusal by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek in April 2024 due to “unacceptable environmental impacts”.
Walker withdrew its application days later.
A scaled-back, land-based concept confined to the existing port footprint was later explored, aiming to deliver a modernised harbour and up to 900 dwellings while avoiding sensitive wetlands but it never progressed to formal approvals.
Redland City Council acknowledged the withdrawal, with Mayor Jos Mitchell saying while the outcome was not what had been anticipated, Council respected the commercial realities behind the decision.
“Council recognises the community’s interest in this major project and will continue working with the Queensland Government,” she said.
Div 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell said the outcome reflected a broader failure across all levels of government.
“Three levels of government should be embarrassed. Let’s be clear: this is not a developer failure – it’s a government one.”
Councillor Rowanne McKenzie said she was not surprised by the developer’s decision.
“With protest groups … relentlessly campaigning against the project, it’s little wonder they’ve walked away,” she said.
Councillor Paul Golle said the focus must now shift to who delivers the project.
Councillor Jason Colley described the outcome as a missed opportunity.
“Walker Corporation walking away is a terrible outcome,” he said.
Business leaders warned of broader economic consequences.
Champion Redlands Coast CEO Cindy Corrie said: “Investment, attraction and city reputation have never been more important.”
Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce president Suzie Tafolo said the collapse would send a negative signal.
“Devastating news for the region,” she said.
