Will Plibersek let a property developer destroy the habitat of our critically endangered birds?

With summer behind us, it’s time for a critically endangered bird, the Eastern curlew, to depart Australia’s shores. They do so every year, flying halfway around the world to breed. It’s one of the most epic animal journeys on earth, and, incredibly, after it’s over, they do it again, flying back to Australia to spend another summer so they can fatten up for their next long-haul flight.

But as I wait to see these incredible birds return to our shores, I do so with great apprehension. While they’re gone, the fate of one of the important wetlands they depend on will be decided. Walker Corporation, one of Australia’s largest private developers, is proposing to build a $1.4 billion complex comprising 3,600 apartments, a hotel, restaurants and marinas on the mudflats of Toondah Harbour, about 30 km southeast of Brisbane.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek will soon announce the final verdict — almost a decade in the making — as to whether these internationally important wetlands will be saved from an inappropriate and unnecessary mega-project. Her decision will have real consequences both here and abroad, either reaffirming Australia’s commitment and leadership in conservation, or signalling that our — and indeed the world’s — most precious natural areas are open to be plundered.

This decision is Plibersek’s because this massive real estate project occurs within the boundaries of the Moreton Bay Ramsar site — one of Australia’s 66 wetlands recognised under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Significance. The Ramsar Convention was established to halt and reverse the worldwide loss of wetlands, and in 1993, the majority of Queensland’s Moreton Bay — including the mudflats and sandflats of Toondah Harbour — were designated as a Ramsar site for their outstanding conservation value and biological diversity.

This conservational recognition was not imposed on Australia. Both Queensland and Australia nominated Moreton Bay for listing; in so doing, we willingly and knowingly accepted the responsibility to protect its natural values. That is why when I, as the official responsible for the administration of the Ramsar Convention in Australia, was asked in 2017 by the then minister for the environment Josh Frydenberg to review Walker Corporation’s proposed real estate project, I advised it was “clearly unacceptable” in a Ramsar wetland and he should reject it.

He chose not to.

That decision has led to this point. Walker Corporation’s final environmental impact statement admits that the project will destroy a significant part of the Ramsar wetlands and feeding habitat for critically endangered birds. But unsurprisingly, consultants paid by Walker Corporation claim that this destruction is essentially benign and a “wise use” of the wetlands (which can be allowed under the convention) and so should be given the green light.

I don’t accept this and neither should any fair-minded Australian. There is no good faith interpretation of Australia’s responsibilities under the Ramsar Convention that would suggest such a massive development is wise use.

The threat of this monstrous development casts a dark shadow over Australia’s international reputation. A private residential and commercial development of this scale has never been approved within the boundaries of a Ramsar site in Australia. If Plibersek decides that the Toondah project is to go ahead, it will not only destroy the wetlands — it would set a dangerous precedent that undermines the protection of Ramsar sites both in Australia and internationally.

As the Eastern curlews embark on their migration, we find ourselves confronted by a test of our own: can Australia be trusted to uphold international obligations to care for our unique places and animals? Or will we show the world and other developers that even our most iconic protected wetlands can be trashed?

Should Plibersek prevent the destruction of the Toondah Harbour mudflats? Let us know your thoughts by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name to be considered for publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.