Media release

From: BirdLife Australia

More than 150 environmental scientists and experts have signed a joint letter urging federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to reject a controversial real estate project they say will destroy internationally significant wetlands at Toondah Harbour, near Brisbane. After more than a decade of community campaigning to save the wetlands, Minister Plibersek's final decision is due on April 23rd 2024.

See the full letter with signatures attached at bottom, or online here. Copy of text below.

Scientists and experts call for the protection of Toondah Harbour - Open Letter

To the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water

As researchers and professionals who study, document and work to recover Australia’s flora, fauna and ecosystems, we are keenly aware of the importance of Toondah Harbour. Not just for local nature, but also for our community, and wildlife across the world.

Moreton Bay, which includes Toondah Harbour, is an essential part of a global network of internationally significant wetlands called Ramsar sites. The site is also of immense cultural significance to the Quandamooka Nation’s people and is habitat to threatened species including dugongs, dolphins, whales, sea turtles, koalas and the critically endangered Eastern Curlew¹. Every summer, as many as 30,000 protected migratory shorebirds come to feed and rest across Moreton Bay², including at Toondah Harbour.

Moreton Bay’s Wetlands also play a vital role in shielding people and nature from the impacts of climate change¹. They build resilience to flood and cyclone events by buffering against coastal erosion, storm surges and flooding. At a time when Queenslanders are experiencing more catastrophic weather events than ever before, it is critical that we look after all remaining wetlands like those at Toondah Harbour.

Australia committed to protecting our most precious wetlands, including those found at Toondah Harbour, when we signed an international treaty known as the Ramsar Convention.  The treaty was established to “halt the worldwide loss of wetlands" which have declined by 35% in the last 50 years³. Despite this, Walker Corporation has proceeded with a proposal to destroy 40 hectares of the Ramsar wetlands, destroying the habitat of nationally listed threatened species.

The proposal which currently sits before you for approval, to construct 3,600 luxury apartments and other amenities at Toondah Harbour at the cost of destroying these internationally important wetlands is unacceptable under the intent of our national environment laws. This year is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Australia to become a global leader in nature protection, as we host the Global Nature Positive Summit and create new national nature laws. An essential step in realising this ambition is to reject Walker Corporation's proposal.

We urge you to protect Toondah Harbour for all Australians, the nature we care so deeply for, and the world who is watching.

(End of open letter)

Quotes

Prof. Hugh Possingham, BirdLife Australia Vice President, and former Queensland Chief Scientist:
"Australia’s premiere environmental legislation lists a small number of things that are of global significance - this includes “Ramsar wetlands”.  Moreton Bay is a Ramsar wetland and the Toondah harbour development is in the Ramsar wetland.  If this development proceeds, then our most significant nature law has failed.

"Many of Australia’s most iconic migratory waterbirds, like the far eastern curlew, are in precipitous decline.  The Toondah development directly affects several of these species and will increase the chance they become extinct."

Kate Millar, BirdLife Australia CEO:
"If this project goes ahead, the repercussions will be felt worldwide. Not only will it destroy habitat for critically endangered birds here in the Moreton Bay Ramsar site, but it will also set a precedent exposing other protected sites to the threat of being plundered for profit."

Kelly O’Shanassy, Australian Conservation Foundation CEO:
“Environment Minister Plibersek has a great opportunity to show leadership on nature protection by rejecting Walker Group’s plan for a marina and high-rise apartment complex that would destroy irreplaceable feeding ground for migratory birds and habitat for turtles, dugongs and other marine species.”

Prof. Hugh Possingham is available for comment.