Council-linked developer puts shops on market months after contentious decision
Sydney Morning Herald
by Julius Dennis, Matt DennienFebruary 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Redland City Council has come under scrutiny after canceling plans for a $250 million development project near Redland Bay, Brisbane. This decision has benefited Fox and Bell, part-owners of the nearby Redland Bay Shopping Village, which is now being marketed as the sole full-line supermarket in the area. The council’s chief executive, Louise Rusan, has family ties to Fox and Bell managing director Greg Bell, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Despite these questions, Rusan maintains that her involvement in council decisions is non-existent and that councillors are responsible for such decisions.
The canceled project, led by Consolidated Properties Group (CPG), aimed to build a Coles-anchored development with a multi-level car park for Southern Moreton Bay Islanders. CPG had secured the contract through an open tender process and was on schedule and budget. However, after Deputy Premier Jarrodbleijs’s intervention, the council decided to halt the project, citing the need to fast-track the car park without the adjoining shops. This decision has left Fox and Bell in a stronger position, as their Woolworths-anchored shopping village is now the only major retail option in the area.
The Redland Bay Shopping Village, managed by JLL, is being touted as a prime investment opportunity due to its secure anchor tenant, Woolworths, which reportedly pays $1.78 million annually in rent with built-in rental growth mechanisms. Fox and Bell’s managing director, Garry Hargrave, has denied any attempt to influence the council’s decision, claiming that the sale of the shopping village is unrelated to the canceled development. The council has also defended its governance processes, stating that Rusan’s conflict of interest was managed appropriately.
This controversy highlights broader concerns about transparency and accountability in local government decisions, particularly when they involve potential conflicts of interest. It also underscores the impact of such decisions on business interests and community infrastructure. As the situation continues to unfold, questions remain about whether the council’s decision aligns with public利益 or private gain.
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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 2/26/2026