The "battle for Birkdale" moved forward in Canberra on Wednesday, when a federal government authority gave the Redlands council preliminary agreement for an off-market sale of 80 hectares of bushland.
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The Redlands community to Brisbane's south-east was rattled last May when the area was listed in the federal budget as “excess land” to be sold off as housing stock.
There are two federal-government-owned parcels of land on Old Cleveland Road at Birkdale that the council wants as a future community education site.
One is owned by the Australian Communications and Media Authority and the adjoining block is owned by Air Services Australia.
Redlands mayor Karen Williams said she met with the one of the government agencies that owned the land and reached agreement for an “off-market sale”.
“In my line of business it isn’t over until we have a signed contract, but in my discussions with (ACMA) I have secured an agreement for an off-market sale,” Cr Williams said.
“Negotiations will now have to take place between Redland City Council and the Australian Communications and Media Authority.”
The Queensland government has already vowed to prevent the land being zoned for housing, arguing it is now outside the urban footprint, albeit narrowly.
Under the mooted agreement, the land would be acquired at an “off-market” price and signed off by Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance Zed Seselja.
Cr Williams said she had no doubts ACMA was positive about being able to sell the bushland off-market.
“It was a very positive meeting and I am quietly confident negotiations can continue,” she said.
Last month, Cr Williams presented to Prime Minister Scott Morrison a petition with 6300 signatures asking for the land not to become housing stock.
“The residents of Redlands coast have a clear message for the federal government – do not turn this precious public asset into a housing estate,” Cr Williams said.
“The community has spoken and is vehemently against this 80 hectares of land being used for housing."
Cr Williams said the council had expected to be able to acquire the site between 2016 and 2017.
“However, in May 2018 the land was identified in the federal budget for divestment, and earmarked for housing," she said.
“We are asking the federal government for a formal commitment to end this game and gift or sell the land for a minimal cost to Redland City Council.
“This would be a very positive investment by the Commonwealth into our community.”
It is a common practice for governments to sell excess government-owned land to raise revenue but the issue is usually discussed with the local government.
Cr Williams said the community would be formally asked for its views on use of the land, if it could be acquired.
“Our priority is to save it from being used for housing,” she said.
“After that we will ask the community what they would like to see done with the land while committing to protecting the environmental and heritage values of the property."
Comment has been sought from ACMA.
