Moreton Bay Regional Council has been considering a development application by Mr Hongxi Liang for a change of material use of land at 1 The Esplanade Godwin Beach. The application was for the development of 20 campsites in an area rated as having high ecological value and as an erosion prone, high inundation area as assessed by the State Planning Policy Map of Queensland published by the Department of State Development and Planning.
The application described the campsites as being part of an Eco Tourism area but did not provide any detail on what this constitutes in terms of improving or even preserving the environment. No mention was made of what contribution the development would make to the area financially, in terms of providing employment or adding to the amenity of the area enjoyed by the locals.
There were no adequate management plans lodged with the application for traffic, waste or noise, leaving many unanswered questions for locals. Local residents had lodged numerous objections to the application not least of which were about preservation of flora, fauna and land structures as well as traffic, noise and pollution issues.
They argued that ample camping facilities already exist in the area including at Turners Camp Road, Sandstone Point, Bongaree, Woorim, Ocean Beach, Gallagher’s Point and Poverty Creek, providing more than 100 camp sites all told for visitors. This is in addition to other accommodation such as cabins, van sites, apartments and houses for holiday letting.
The proposal for the location which was rated as having high ecological value and as being an erosion prone, high inundation area, seemed counterproductive when other local initiatives such as mangrove regeneration and fish breeding area creation had been so warmly welcomed into the area.
This application has now been withdrawn following public consultation with Locals by Council Officers and Councillor Brooke Savage. It is understood council ultimately did not recommend support for the application.
Well done to those who attended the meetings arranged with Council over this issue and the many who took the time to document their objections. Godwin Beach will remain the quiet haven it always has been as a result. Well done also to the Council for listening to its people.
