Recently there has been a number of media reports and letters distributed that contain inaccurate, misleading or blatantly incorrect information regarding dredging at Toondah Harbour.
For this reason Redland City Council feels it is important to clarify this misinformation.
The following are the facts:
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Toondah Harbour dredging project
Dredging of Toondah Harbour is still occurring; no change has been made to the scope, timing or funding allocations of any dredging projects within Redland City. The Toondah Harbour dredging is expected to be completed in 2014, with Council hopeful of receiving all necessary permits from the State Government by October this year.
The Toondah Harbour dredging project is a State Government project, as are all dredging projects that occur in Queensland. Redland City Council is a contractor on this project, with our only responsibility being to issue the tender for works. The works will then be undertaken by a third party contractor.
Redland City Council received $6 million in State Government funding in 2011 for dredging projects. This funding is allocated specifically to the following three Redlands’ dredging projects:
- Coochiemudlo Island dredging ~$400,000
- Victoria Point dredging ~$1.1 million
- Toondah dredging project ~$4.5 million
This funding is committed. Council is awaiting State Government permits to proceed with these projects and has written to them on three separate occasions expressing concern at the time being taken to issue the necessary permits. Council understands the importance of these dredging projects for all Redlands residents and will continue to lobby the State Government to issue the approvals so the work can proceed.
One Mile Jetty
Claims that Council has dramatically increased fees for landing at One Mile Jetty on North Stradbroke Island are incorrect. The annual cost to land at One Mile Jetty this financial year after a Council subsidy is only a 3 per cent increase from last year, in line with CPI.
Historically the cost of ALL Redlands’ jetties and marine infrastructure has been subsidised by Council, which is paid through all resident’s rates. Council has adopted a plan to reduce this subsidy gradually over a five year period to achieve cost recovery. This plan means these facilities will no longer be subsidised by all ratepayers, while at the same time ferry companies will not be slugged with dramatic fee increases, as some are claiming. As mentioned this plan applies to ALL marine landing facilities across the Redlands so claims that increases benefit some operators over others is completely false.
This week Council voted to make improvements to the One Mile parking situation, including writing the State Government as the owners of this facility.
