Arabic version: موافقة بليجي التخطيطية في نارانعْبا تثير تساؤلات بشأن النزاهة
According to ABC News, Queensland Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie personally approved planning changes in Narangba that added housing considerations to an area where companies linked to developer David Trask own land. Mr Trask had paid $50,000 at an LNP fundraiser for a private lunch with Mr Bleijie.
The Narangba East planning instrument had been pursued by Moreton Bay Council to manage development across a 445-hectare area while it considered an enterprise and employment precinct. Regulatory documents show Mr Bleijie approved a further instrument in June with conditions following discussions about including housing. The final document replaced “Enterprise” with “Housing” in its title and added references to housing throughout.
The changes do not permit immediate subdivisions, with restrictions still in place. But Griffith University urban planning expert Rachel Gallagher said they provided greater certainty that the area could have housing and employment zoning opportunities. She said clearer strategic direction can assist land acquisition, planning and investment decisions, while land more likely to move to denser urban development generally has greater underlying value.
Mr Trask’s Derryfield and Traspunt No 14 companies paid $32 million for six blocks covering 23.5 hectares between November 2024 and March. Their 2024 applications proposed up to 400 lots, although they have not been approved. Mr Trask said he had not discussed the planning changes with the state government and said the updated instrument benefited all property owners in the area.
Mr Bleijie’s office declined to answer questions about conflicts of interest, saying the government asked council to consider housing and council agreed. Gabrielle Appleby, research director at the Centre for Public Integrity, said political fundraising events involving businesses and politicians can create a perception that wealthy donors receive privileged access. Shadow Integrity Minister Leeanne Enoch said the intervention raised questions about checks and balances for real or perceived conflicts.
