Redlands community support for the new Toondah Harbour

A majority of Redlands Coast residents support the Toondah Harbour project, according to a survey of more than 420 people living in the federal electorate of Bowman.

The survey, undertaken by professional market research interviewers on behalf of Walker Corporation in 2019, found 71% of respondents were aware of plans to redevelop Toondah Harbour. More than 6 out of 10 people who had heard of the project said were either strongly or somewhat in favour.

When the project was explained to those who were not already aware of it, total support increased to 70%, with 19% opposed and the remaining 11% still unsure.

The research found older residents tended to be more aware of Toondah Harbour with 88% of people aged 60 or over stating they had heard of the project. Among those aged 18 to 29, awareness was only 42%.

Walker Corporation was selected as the preferred developer of Toondah Harbour in 2015 and entered into binding commercial agreements with the Queensland Government and Redland City Council. A masterplan was created and refined prior to the community survey.

Toondah Harbour Project Lead Rabieh Krayem said it was heartening that more than 70% of locals in the Bowman electorate were aware of the project and expected this to have increased since the 2019 resident survey.

“Every effort had been made to inform and engage with the Redlands Coast community and all interest groups about the redevelopment plans, including “Talk Toondah” sessions held in 2020,” he said.

“This rigorous community and stakeholder engagement process is continuing today as we approach the completion of a draft Environmental Impact Statement – one of the most comprehensive assessments every undertaken in Queensland.”

The federal electorate of Bowman stretches from Thornside and Capalaba in the north to Wellington Point, Cleveland, Victoria Point and Mount Cotton. It also includes the major southern Moreton Bay islands. The resident survey was conducted by highly experienced market research company Utting Research.