A Redland City Council report has highlighted the Queensland Government’s unwillingness to share key information used to inform the preparation of the new ShapingSEQ 2023.
The report tabled at today’s General Meeting indicates the Queensland Government failed to adequately respond to a Right to Information (RTI) request Council submitted during preparation of ShapingSEQ last year.
The RTI sought access to the data used to generate regional growth scenarios and all documents related to the proposed inclusion of Southern Thornlands in the urban footprint.
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The Queensland Government’s Planning Department initially declined to deal with the RTI, citing concerns it would divert the department’s resources that, at that stage, were working at full capacity on ShapingSEQ.
Council modified the scope of the request to focus on key areas but received an underwhelming response, with more than half of the 111-page document supplied being partially or wholly redacted.
Council has applied to the Office of the Independent Commissioner for an external review of the information provided, in the interests of obtaining greater clarity on the State’s decision making.
This request comes at a critical time for the ShapingSEQ project, with the State advising in January 2024 that Council must immediately begin work on amending its City Plan to align with ShapingSEQ.
The State indicated that this work was expected to be undertaken as a high priority and should be completed by the end of 2024.
The Council report also raised several concerns about fast-tracking the amendments, including that it may impact the delivery of other projects across the city.
There also remains uncertainty over planning investigations for Southern Thornlands, such as whether the State intends to designate a Priority Development Area on the site.
Council has long maintained that there is sufficient dwelling supply within the existing urban footprint to more than double the new dwelling targets set out in ShapingSEQ 2023.
Other concerns include that Council is currently in caretaker mode and is therefore unable to progress work on any amendments until such time as there is a resolution of Council.
The Queensland Government is also yet to provide a formal response on how matters raised in Council’s submission to the draft Redland Housing Strategy have been addressed, or when it intends to release the final strategy.
Council will need to consider its position on the Strategy, which is supplementary to ShapingSEQ, before commencing any work on amendments to the City Plan.
Council resolved at today’s General Meeting to note the correspondence between the Queensland Government and Council on these matters, the request for an external review of the RTI response, and that outcomes of the review will be provided when received.
