Redland City salutes Young Legends


April 16, 2021

Dedication, selflessness, passion and leadership are the hallmarks of six exceptional young Redlanders who have been recognised by Redland City Council at its inaugural Young Legends Awards.

The event, coinciding with Queensland Youth Week, was organised to salute the outstanding contributions of local young people.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the calibre of the award’s 39 finalists had made selecting the winners of the inaugural awards a tough but heart-warming task.

“As young people are our future, I have great confidence in what that future holds for our Redlands Coast,” Cr Williams said. “The dedication, drive and passion of our finalists shows just how fortunate we are as a community.”

Cr Williams said that many young people had been hard hit by COVID-19 and too often were unfairly criticised because of the actions of small minority

“There are so many talented, dedicated and inspiring young people who are quietly doing great things in our community,” Cr Williams said.

“During the pandemic, more than 120 local young people signed up to the Volunteering Queensland Care Army or registered to become emergency volunteers. They are among the many young people volunteering, they are our unsung young legends of Redlands Coast.

“Redland City Council wanted to acknowledge these dedicated young people and give them the recognition they deserve.”

The winners:

Young Legend of the Year (under 18) – Harry Taske

“Harry is a very community-minded young man indeed. In addition to his sporting achievements, he has shown a passion for helping others in need as a volunteer since he was just 8 years old, working with organisations that support those who are less fortunate, especially the homeless and those affected by domestic and family violence, and rallying the community to provide desperately needed support,” Cr Williams said.

Young Legend of the Year (over 18) – Jacob Nicholls

“Jacob is such a positive, kind and caring young man. He has been an outstanding role model, from his volunteer work at local community radio station BayFM to his ongoing support in the fight against mental health issues in our community. He also volunteers at Mission to Seafarers Brisbane and with our SES,” Cr Williams said.

Community Commitment – Zoe Bodle

“Zoe is a high achiever who has shown a tireless commitment to organisations such as Scouts and Capalaba Venturers, and is a very proud volunteer at Agoonoree, a camp run by Scouts Queensland to provide children with special needs the opportunity to experience a Scout camp,” Cr Williams said.

Environment and Sustainability – Layne Utz

“Layne began picking up litter in 2018 by himself, giving up countless hours to keep our environment rubbish free. He also created his Litter Legends group on Facebook to inspire other volunteers to help save our environment. The dedication and selflessness of this young man is amazing and we are lucky to have him keeping Redlands Coast naturally wonderful,” Cr Williams said.

Sports Leadership and Achievement (under 18) – Delonte Lavender

“Delonte has had huge impact on his peers, school and greater community and is an inspiration to all through his sporting and school achievements, as well as his leadership qualities. He leads by example, fostering culture, respect and reverence in the local basketball community and Capalaba State College, as well as the greater Redlands Coast community,” Cr Williams said.

Sports Leadership and Achievement (over 18) – Ben Cooper

“Ben has been an active member of Cleveland Air Magic, Australia’s premier rope skipping club, since 2011, competing at an elite level both in Australia and around the world. He has shown true leadership qualities to become a valuable coach as well as one of the highest qualified judges in Australia. Ben freely gives of his time and experience and always goes the extra mile to help young athletes reach their goals,” Cr Williams said.

Digital stories about local youth organisations, which were created by Council’s Redlands Coast Young Leaders group, in partnership with SplashZone Media, were also presented at the event.

“These youth organisations work with young people to help them achieve goals, seek opportunities and learn new skills. These are inspiring stories and well worth seeing,” Cr Williams said.

The presentations – from Running Wild, Headspace, YMCA, the Cage Youth Foundation and Redlands PCYC – can be seen by linking from Council’s website at redland.qld.gov.au.

“We are fortunate as a community to have groups such as these who are dedicated to helping young people be the best they can be and making Redlands Coast such a great place to be,” Cr Williams said.

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Adventuring into Birkdale Community Precinct


April 16, 2021

Redland City Council is encouraging people to imagine exciting ideas for adventure sports as they have their say on a future vision for Birkdale Community Precinct.

Mayor Karen Williams said the 62-hectare precinct provided opportunity for a multitude of adventure and recreation-based uses.

“Council is committed to providing an Adventure Sports Precinct for Redlands Coast and it is one of the exciting ideas possible for Birkdale Community Precinct,” she said.

“A regional, integrated aquatic centre for Redlands Coast would include a world championship-level 50m pool while adventure sports facilities could include high ropes, zip lines, rock climbing, professional skateboarding, a lagoon and water play features.

“The integrated precinct would also include event space and amenities, with an amphitheatre.”

Cr Williams said such a transformation would bring more jobs to the local area and region during planning, construction and through to operation.

“It would generate a major boost to our economy,” she said.

“Part of an adventure sports precinct could be an Olympic-standard canoe slalom course that could be used for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games should south-east Queensland be the host.

“The whitewater and adventure sport aspects are part of an overall project that could be a game changer for the city.

“It is just one of the many ideas possible for the Birkdale site, though there are other possible locations for the adventure sports precinct across the city.”

Paddle Australia board director and long-time former Redlands Coast resident Andrew Trim said a whitewater facility would provide welcome opportunities for the sport.

“In the high-performance space, but just as importantly in the development recreation and increased participation space,” he said.

“A Queensland artificial course creates increased opportunities for high-performance athletes to train for major events on a reliable world class facility.

“This in itself is a major benefit.

“Having access to a course such as this would help Paddle Australia develop stronger pathways for our younger athletes; consistent access to a quality course is critical for the development of junior elite athletes.”

Mr Trim is a triple Olympian, having competed in canoe sprints in Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney, winning bronze (Atlanta) and silver (Sydney) medals in the K2 500m.

Living in Thorneside at the time, Mr Trim trained on Tingalpa Creek for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

“So many kilometres and hours were spent on that stretch of water,” Mr Trim, who lived on Redlands Coast from 1993 to just last year, said.

“The concept of an adventure sports precinct for that site is one of the most exciting developments for locals ever conceived for Redlands Coast.

“Having a course such as this would increase participation in the recreational side of paddling.

“Rafting, freestyle paddling and increased exposure to schools and recreational clubs would benefit the entire south-east Queensland community.”

Mr Trim said an adventure sports precinct’s legacy beyond a potential Olympic Games would involve the attraction of international competitions.

For more information about Council’s community consultation on possible future uses for Birkdale Community Precinct, visit yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au – see expert urban designers’ ideas, watch the videos, read the fact sheets, take a virtual tour of the precinct, and have your say.

Consultation on Birkdale Community Precinct closes on Tuesday 4 May 2021.

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Vote to help make Redlands Coast Queensland’s Top Tourism Town


April 14, 2021

Redlands Coast needs your vote to become Queensland’s Top Tourism Town.

Mayor Karen Williams said she was thrilled the city had been named a finalist in the 2021 Queensland Tourism Industry Council Tourism Award Program, which is aimed at recognising the state’s outstanding destinations.

“Now we need the community to show how proud they are of Redlands Coast and get behind our city so we can win the Queensland Top Tourism Town award and help our tourism and hospitality businesses,” Cr Williams said.

“Votes help determine the winner, with a total of 70 per cent to be decided by the public, so your vote is vital.

“To be inspired by our naturally wonderful Redlands Coast you need only look at the world-class experiences on your doorstep, and so close to the Brisbane CBD.

“We are home to the world’s second largest sand island, Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island, that is teeming with marine life, where you can swim with manta rays, watch whales from one of the best land-based whale watching site in the southern hemisphere and spot turtles, dugongs and dolphins.

With 335km of coastline, it is no wonder the Redlands Coast is such a popular playground.

“Redlands Coast is also home to one of the world’s oldest living cultures, with the Quandamooka people delivering immersive cultural tours and experiences for visitors and locals alike.

“With 335km of coastline, it is no wonder the city is a playground for those who love coastal, island and water adventures including sailing, boating, snorkelling, diving, fishing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, making the King Island walk at Wellington Point and visiting our other unique islands.

“Ride the ferry to Coochiemudlo Island or our Southern Moreton Bay Islands, get afloat in Moreton Bay Marine Park, or stretch out on our many hinterland trails and bayside walks.

“Or visit our national parks and rainforest, go mountain bike or horse riding, shop at our unique villages, and enjoy the food and view at the oldest licensed pub in Queensland, the Grand View Hotel, and Queensland’s largest, award-winning winery, Sirromet.

“Our region’s world-class natural and eco-cultural treasures, hidden gems and a friendly, welcoming vibe are the perfect mix for a thriving visitor economy that will also help tourism and businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Cr Williams congratulated the tourism industry that works together to develop packages and promotions to encourage visitors to Redlands Coast.

Each year more than 1.2 million visitors come to Redlands Coast, injecting $228 million into the economy and supporting more than 2000 jobs.

In March this year, Redland City Council’s latest tourism video, Redlands Coast on Quandamooka Country, won an international gong and catapulted the region on to the world stage.

The video won the Best Cultural Tourism award in Japan World’s Tourism Film Festival and was developed as part of Council’s Reconnect on Redlands Coast campaign to help the tourism industry recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The campaign was viewed more than 2.57 million times and tourism operators reported an increase in both out-of-region visitors and Redlands Coast residents booking holidays and staycations on Redlands Coast.

To cast your vote for Redlands Coast, visit Council’s website or head straight to the QTIC website.

Voters will be in the draw to win a $2000 Apollo Motorhome travel package.

Voting closes 26 April 2021. Winners will be announced in May.  The state winners will represent Queensland at the national awards and have the opportunity to be named Australia’s Top Tourism Town!

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Planned burns scheduled – 13 to 16 April 2021


April 13, 2021

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) will be undertaking three separate planned burns on North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah from Tuesday 13 April to Friday 16 April 2021.

They are conducting the burns at the following locations:

  • North of 2 Mile (5.3 ha) on Tuesday 13 April 2021
  • Blue Lake/Kaboora walking track (1.7 ha) on Tuesday 13 April 2021
  • Blue Lake/Kaboora – Tortoise Lagoon (13.9 ha) between Wednesday 14 April and Friday 16 April, 2021, weather permitting.

The burns are being undertaken as part of the annual hazard reduction, cultural heritage and conservation management program for QPWS, to maintain forest health and to help protect life and property in the event of a wildfire.

It is appreciated that this burn may cause some inconvenience, however all attempts will be made to limit any smoke hazards.

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Nature-based thinking around the future of Birkdale Community Precinct


April 9, 2021

With Birkdale Community Precinct rich in protected ecology and environmental values, Redland City Council is encouraging people to consider the area’s natural assets as they imagine and share their ideas for future uses of the land.

The precinct sits within an ecological corridor along the lower Tingalpa and Coolnwynpin Creek catchments and links with a broader network of conservation reserves and protected areas, with almost two-thirds of the precinct being protected by an environmental covenant.

Mayor Karen Williams said the 62-hectare site had potential for a huge variety of community uses, providing they were respectful of the land’s ecology and environment.

“The protections mean the precinct’s habitat, wildlife and heritage will be safe and the community keeps the beautiful greenbelt we now see wrapping around the meandering Tingalpa Creek. I want to make it really clear that these areas are preserved for future generations and will be enhanced and connected to make areas of outstanding ecological importance to our wildlife,” Cr Williams said.

“That doesn’t exclude the community from being able to access and enjoy these beautiful areas in the future, as some low-impact ‘tread-lightly’ ideas that are respectful of their environment are possible. The community will always be the custodians of this protected conservation area which covers almost 40 hectares of the precinct, so how can it be best enjoyed perhaps through education and discovery opportunities?

“It brings to mind such endeavours as interactive nature walks, both day and night-time, and small scale, eco-friendly stay options, such as camping, glamping, perhaps even tree-house accommodation that help facilitate citizen science projects.

“These are just a few of the possible uses and we invite the community to help build the future by sharing their ideas for the site with us. The precinct offers wonderful opportunities for us to transform this site into an environmentally and family-friendly conservation and recreational area that we can all be proud of.”

Cr Williams said Council had undertaken extensive environmental and cultural studies and had implemented management plans for the precinct to protect its unique values.

“There is also the opportunity to enhance habitat connections throughout the site and beyond which is really how we can elevate the importance and quality of the ecology on the land beyond just a single patch,” she said.

“Some of the precinct’s areas that fall under a Community Facilities zone have minimal identified environmental values, allowing potential community uses amid the naturally wonderful environment across the precinct.”

Division 10 Councillor Paul Bishop said one thing COVID-19 had reminded us all of was the importance of people reconnecting – with themselves and family, within nature.

“In my view, the Birkdale Community Precinct site continues to remind us of the lessons that nature has been offering well before and since European arrival,” Cr Bishop said.

“Set within ancient land and cradled in the curves of a beautiful creek, this area offers an amazing opportunity for individuals and families to reframe our appreciation of economy, ecology and land use planning, as we reconnect with bountiful ecosystems within this place.”

Lat27 director Damian Thompson said reconnecting with nature had become even more critical in recent times as we travelled less and focussed more on our own back yards.

“This site presents an incredible opportunity to connect locals and visitors alike with the unique, largely unknown ecological attributes of this stretch of Tingalpa Creek,” he said.

Mr Thompson was one of five urban design and landscape architecture teams who created ideas boards for the precinct based around themes inherent to the site. His theme was Ecology and Environment.

A June 2020 study of the site’s ecology, commissioned by Redland City Council, discovered 219 flora species on the precinct, of which 146 were considered native species, and a total of 38 fauna species.

Future uses for the area will nurture and continue protecting these flora and fauna species.

The existing native vegetation identified in the report included native foods such as brush cherry, berry saltbush, ruby saltbush, native asparagus, kangaroo grass, warrigal greens (New Zealand spinach) and wombat berry.

For more information about Council’s community consultation on your input into possible future uses for Birkdale Community Precinct, visit yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au – see expert urban designers’ ideas, watch the videos, read the fact sheets, take a virtual tour of the precinct, and have your say.

Two open days when the community will have the rare opportunity to tour the site firsthand are planned for Friday April 16 and Saturday April 17, from 10am to 4pm. Full details on yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au

Consultation closes on Tuesday 4 May 2021.

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Ranger Stacey wild about joining Redland City Council team


April 9, 2021

Redland City Council is excited to welcome Stacey Thomson, better known as Ranger Stacey, to Council’s Environment and Education team this week.

Mayor Karen Williams said Ranger Stacey, former host of the long-running, nature-themed television show Totally Wild, which ended recently, would be based primarily at IndigiScapes at Capalaba.

“We are delighted that Ranger Stacey has brought her wealth of conservation knowledge and experience to our community,” she said.

“She has a passion for inspiring a love of nature and Australian wildlife, and we are thrilled to have her working as part of our Council team.”

Ranger Stacey said working on Redlands Coast for Council was the start of an exciting new chapter for her, championing conservation and inspiring a new generation to connect with nature.

“I’ve been coming to Redlands Coast for recreation since I was a little girl and was married at Cleveland’s Grand View Hotel,” she said.

“I love it here.

“Redlands Coast is a beautiful, diverse environment with so much to offer from the coastal zones and islands to the hinterland.

“This is a very green part of the world with lots of parklands and vast tracts of bushland still in place.

“When the television show ended, I wanted to do something I believed in and where I could lend my skills.

“This is a very exciting new start for me and I’m looking forward to spending more time on Redlands Coast and getting to know the community better.

“The people here really value where they live and I’m looking forward to playing an active part in helping to showcase the many natural wonders that are found here.”

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Music and musings at Birkdale Community Precinct open days


April 9, 2021

Redlands Coast performers will provide music to muse by as the community ponders future uses for Birkdale Community Precinct during community open days on April 16 and 17.

Hosted by Redland City Council, the open days offer a rare opportunity for people to tour the 62-hectare precinct and learn more about its history, ecology and cultural importance.

Performing at various time throughout the days will be singer/songwriter Joe Geia and the quirky all-female band, Mama Juju & The Jam Tarts.

Expect an eclectic mix of songs and styles from the quirky Mama Juju & The Jam Tarts.

Geia, left, is a renowned guitarist, didgeridoo player and songwriter, and is an influential figure in the development of contemporary Indigenous music.

Mama Juju & The Jam Tarts are a four-piece band who play a variety of instruments and a variety of genres. Their music is an eclectic mix of old and new, original and re-envisioned songs with jazz, folk, country and rock influences

Free activities at the community open days include: displays about the history of the site, a guided tour of the land on a trackless train, animal petting zoo for children, and weaving workshops. Food and drinks, including Devonshire tea, will be available for purchase.

There will also be the opportunity to have your say on what the future holds for this important precinct while taking a look around historic Willards Farm and the fascinating World War II radio receiving station. Redland City Council is committed to engaging with the local and regional community to understand what they would like to see this land used for.

The community open days will run from 10am to 4pm on both days, Friday April 16 and Saturday April 17, COVID-safety requirements and weather permitting. Parking and access will be available via the Birkdale Baptist Church grounds, 1 Jones Road, Birkdale, turning off Old Cleveland Road East. Please follow parking signs on the day.

Bookings are required.

Visit yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au for more details and to register for your free tickets

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Council calls for interest in new Active Travel Group membership.


April 9, 2021

Redland City Council is calling for community input to help build an active and healthy Redlands Coast.

Mayor Karen Williams said the expression of interest (EOI) process for membership of the Redlands Coast Active Travel Group was designed to allow the new group to convene from mid-2021.

“Our aim is to identify organisations and individuals who can help us build a more connected, active and healthy Redlands Coast,” Cr Williams said.

“Active travel can help to encourage community-friendly public spaces, improve productivity, health and wellbeing.

“It can also contribute to reducing the burden of parking and transport infrastructure dominated by cars.

“We are looking to the new group members’ advocacy and passion to help drive and support active travel and transport infrastructure and innovation.

“We want our organisation and the Redlands Coast community to be an example of an environmentally sustainable and transport-resilient community.”

Chair of the new Active Travel Group, Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell, said the new reference group would focus on all active travel modes.

“The rising popularity of scooters is just one example of an active travel mode used in many urban areas for both recreation and journeys to work.

“The new reference group will help Council form strategic partnerships with community and transport groups and help to advocate for more active travel opportunities or projects of benefit to the Redlands Coast.

“This includes pedestrian access and safety within our villages and centres and all ages mobility issues encompassing personal mobility devices.”

Division 10 Councillor and Deputy Chair of the new group, Cr Paul Bishop, said Council’s decision to establish the reference group scope was a clear call to action for those in the community with a passion for more active travel.

“More diverse active travel planning will help to shape the future character of our unique Redlands Coast and the way we move between and within our urban villages, as we celebrate our city’s naturally wonderfully environment,” Cr Bishop said.

“For this process to be a success we need genuine input from those most directly affected – our community.”

To express your interest in being a member of the Active Travel Group, please go to Council’s Yoursay Redland Coast website. The EOI closes on 30 April 2021.

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Council recycles road materials to create better roads


April 8, 2021

Redland City Council is using recycled road materials to deliver better road conditions for the community.

Mayor Karen Williams said the re-use of profilings (the waste by-product collected when roads are resealed) offered a number of benefits to both Council and road users.

“Recycling the profilings and using them in place of gravel not only results in cost savings for Council, but also offers a high quality structural surface and reduces dust,” she said.

“Profilings are a mix of surface bitumen and asphalt and some of the gravel below which are removed as part of the road resealing process, and are reused as part of Council’s support of the circular economy, where materials and products are recirculated for as long as possible.

“They have been used to build Council roads on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) for the past few years as part of the Green Seal program.

“We have also completed several big projects on the mainland, including Billiau Road in Mount Cotton and School of Arts Road in Redland Bay, which used thousands of cubic metres of profilings.”

The road profilings are screened and stored at Council’s quarry and then transported to sites as required.

Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards said profilings had also been used for SMBI road maintenance for about the past two years.

“There is a need for continuous maintenance of unsealed gravel roads and roadside drains on the islands and Council’s road maintenance crews use road profilings – laying it, watering and rolling it to form a better surface,” Cr Edwards said.

“The profilings compact and hold better, reduce dust and have greater longevity than gravel alone.”

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Work progresses on new Redlands Coast fibre network


April 8, 2021

A new fibre network will deliver high-speed connectivity across Redlands Coast as the region looks towards driving a post-COVID future economy.

Mayor Karen Williams said the network would initially connect five major Redland City Council sites while Council continued investigating how spare fibre bandwidth could help improve internet connections for local businesses and residents.

“A reliable and fast internet service is crucial for local business, particularly following the disruptions presented in a COVID-19 era,” Cr Williams said.

“Fast connectivity will allow more start-up businesses to base themselves on Redlands Coast while also helping established businesses pivot and work towards a broader customer base.

“COVID-19 has changed working behaviour, with working from home becoming a viable option, so a fibre network that looks to the future is crucial if we want to provide opportunity for long-term changes to the way we work and live.”

Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce President Rebecca Young said Redlands Coast had a “real opportunity” to position itself as being very attractive to business and industry.

“If we are going to position ourselves in terms of investment appeal, and if we want to become more aggressive in that space of attracting businesses to create job growth, we are going to need a fast and reliable network service,” Ms Young said.

“Redlands Business Park is our main commercial and industrial land space on Redlands Coast and connectivity is important to continue the growth of existing businesses and attract others into the space.”

Ms Young said COVID-19 had also forced many local businesses to think about securing a broader customer base.

“Even if a business has a local bricks and mortar retail outlet on Redlands Coast, having the ability to be connected globally is going to keep people afloat in uncertain times,” she said.

“It is certainly important that businesses can remain strong locally, but when we have restrictions placed on how we can operate, lockdowns and border closures, we need to think more broadly about a customer base.

“Fast speed internet connectivity opens up more opportunities, not only for start-up ventures to be based here, but for large-scale and global businesses to allow their employees to live here and work from home.

“Recent studies have been done post-COVID on decentralising urban centres. From that perspective, having fast internet availability on Redlands Coast makes that quite attractive.”

Cr Williams said the fibre network, funded through a $1 million State Government Unite and Recover Community Stimulus Package grant, would initially connect a number of Council facilities in Cleveland and Capalaba, with the potential for it to extend to further Capalaba and Victoria Point sites in the future.

“In addition to saving Council $900,000 over the 20-year life of the infrastructure, this project will offer a number of key economic and community benefits to our city, including enhanced connectivity for our schools, hospital and other vital community infrastructure,” Cr Williams said.

“This is an example of what can be achieved when Council and the State Government work together and on behalf of the community I thank the State Government for investing in this important project.”

Construction of stage 1 is underway and expected to be completed by late May, weather permitting.

The Redlands Coast Fibre Network Expansion project is an initiative of the Queensland Government.

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