The Federal Government may halt a planned development over environmental concerns. 

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has tentatively decided against the proposed $1.4 billion Toondah Harbour development in Queensland's Moreton Bay, citing the area's international ecological significance. 

The mixed-use project by Walker Corporation, planned to include 3,000 apartments, a marina, hotel, and retail spaces, faced scrutiny for its potential detrimental impact on the Ramsar-listed wetland.

Plibersek's interim verdict highlights the project's potentially “unacceptable impact” on the habitat, affecting threatened species such as loggerhead turtles and eastern curlews. 

“These wetlands are rare, unique and important to prevent the extinction of animals like the eastern curlew and loggerhead turtle,” Plibersek said this week. 

The decision has sparked a broad spectrum of reactions, with over 26,000 public comments influencing the Minister's stance. 

In recent weeks, a large group of scientists and experts signed an open letter calling for the development to be halted. 

While Walker Corporation says it will review the decision and explore environmental mitigations, state officials and local representatives have expressed concerns over economic and housing implications.

“My proposed decision says that we can’t destroy portions of this internationally important wetland,” Plibersek said. 

“I am making my proposed decision public so that the tens of thousands of people who have made public comments on this have a chance to respond. I want to hear from them before I make my final decision.”