A critically endangered migratory Russian bird, which flies south every year for the Australian summer, has halted a $1.3 billion harbour project at Cleveland.
The critically endangered bar-tailed godwits were known for taking the bird world's longest non-stop flights, travelling more than 11,000 kilometres from New Zealand to the Yellow Sea.
The delay for the bar-tailed godwit was confirmed by the Walker Group, the company which has been putting together a detailed plan to develop Cleveland's Toondah Harbour since 2014.
Chief executive Lang Walker said the company had asked for six months to provide extra information to the environmental impact study process.
"We are happy to keep working with the federal and state agencies to identify the best approach for assessment of the proposed development," Mr Walker said.
"These include identifying new conservation areas, community ranger sponsorship, remediation and rehabilitation projects, and a pilot migratory shorebird offset in the Yellow Sea with an international wetlands organisation," Mr Walker said.
The bar-tailed godwits nest in the Yellow Sea.
"This delay is all about this bird," a Walker Group spokesman confirmed.
Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg has asked for extra conservation information about the $1.3 billion Toondah Harbour project at Cleveland, delaying the project, which was set to begin in mid-2017, for at least six months.
An update to Cleveland's harbour, the jumping off point to many bay islands, has been on several governments' agendas for 50 years.
This is the seventh delay to the draft environmental impact statement process for the Palaszczuk government's version of the project, which aims to build a marina with 3600 houses and apartments close to an internationally-recognised coastal wetland.
The proposed marina on is built inside an area man-made from dredge material from the existing Cleveland Harbour and the navigation channel heading towards Moreton Bay islands.
Conservationists have for almost two years urged strict environmental controls over the 67-hectare project which proposes to turn Toondah Harbour at Cleveland – where the ferries cross to North Stradbroke Island – into a modern retail marina with 3400 units.
They have raised questions about the impact on local corals, the impact of shifting the dredge material and the impact on birds and dugongs.
Toondah Harbour is the roost for one of the world's longest flying birds, the critically endangered bar-tailed godwit from Russia.
Any development at Toondah Harbour must safeguard the future of our shorebirds @JoshFrydenberg #love4shorebirds
— BirdLife Australia (@BirdlifeOz) December 5, 2016
https://t.co/oweepNT5ep pic.twitter.com/fYNtrca55w
Toondah Harbour is also within a RAMSAR international wetlands and includes dugong and many species of international migratory birds.
It will create 1000 jobs during construction and result in a further 500 ongoing jobs in the new precinct, which will have a 400-berth marina.
The environmental impact statement for the Toondah Harbour project was set to be released on Monday and construction to begin in mid-2017.
The delay was confirmed on Monday by Mr Frydenberg's spokesman.
"The proponent has requested a delay to provide some additional information," he said.
The draft environmental impact study has been delayed now until mid 2017, delaying a start to the project.
Redlands mayor Karen Williams said in statement the delay was frustrating.
"We are still waiting to hear officially that the federal government has delayed its decision," Cr Wiliams said.
"If it has been delayed again it is frustrating for residents who are keen to see the detail of this important project and to hear how the Federal Government will assess it to and ensure it protects the Redlands environment while at the same time delivering the jobs and infrastructure we need."
Cr Williams said the federal government had not yet begun the process to approve or reject the project.
"What we are waiting on is a decision on how the environmental impacts of the project will be assessed," Cr Williams said.
"The community deserves the opportunity to see this detail to ensure the environment is protected throughout the project.
"Declaring the project a controlled action under the EPBC Act will also provide extra opportunities for the community to have its say on the project."
The project is important to the future economy of North Stradbroke Island, which is progressively phasing away from Sibelco's sand mining industry. Sand mining will finish in 2019.
Cr Williams said this single fact made any delays significant.
"With North Stradbroke Island transitioning away from sandmining, the economic return this project will deliver to the region is critical," she said.
"The community has been waiting for this project for more than 50 years and anyone who has been down to Toondah Harbour lately would attest that an upgrade of the ferry terminal is in desperate need.
"This project will deliver $116 million of community infrastructure at no cost to ratepayers and provide safe and reliable access to one of our region's greatest assets, Moreton Bay."
The project plans a major expansion of parkland – some on reclaimed land – hotels, cafes, a Quandamooka tourist facility and improved jetty facilities for ferries to bay islands.
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