Works on island coastal walk to recommence soon


July 23, 2021

Council is working on re-engineering some aspects of the Stage 1 design for the Minjerribah Panorama Coastal Walk.

Works were paused in June to allow Council to consider engineering solutions to improve the walkway design in response to a nearby landslip following a wet weather event in late March.

The new design includes an additional barrier along a part of the Snapper Street walkway, providing extra safety  measures for users.

Stage 1 of the Coastal Walk project will formalise an existing track on the ocean side of Mooloomba Road, allowing locals and visitors to enjoy a scenic and safe walk between Snapper Street and Frenchmans Stairs.

Council expects work to recommence in coming weeks.

For more information about Stage 1 of the Minjerribah Panorama Coastal Walk, visit yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au

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Point Lookout Gorge Walk restoration works out for tender


July 23, 2021

Council’s project for restoring the damaged section of the popular Point Lookout Gorge Walk on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) is currently out for tender, with tenders due to close on 12 August 2021.

The damaged section, roughly in the middle of the trail, is closed due to erosion following a severe weather event.

You can still enjoy the stunning views and keep a lookout for whales, as the Gorge Walk remains open and great vantage points can still be accessed from each end.

If you are visiting this beautiful destination on Redlands Coast, please keep to the designated trail, and do not attempt to bypass or cut through the closed section of the track as it sits over a steep section of the headland.

A fall could result in serious injury, and sensitive vegetation is also present in the area.

Council will provide information about the reconstruction timeline after the contract is awarded.

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Exciting play space and improved parking for popular island park


July 23, 2021

Redland City Council is working to recommence the Headland Park upgrade at Point Lookout (Mooloomba) on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) to ensure additional protection of cultural heritage values.

New time frames for delivery are being finalised based on a redesign; and Council has prioritised this project and aims to start work as quickly as possible.

Council is committed to preserving the values of this important area of cultural heritage while delivering this project to include an exciting play space and improved parking.

The new design will further protect the site’s cultural heritage values, and Council is working collaboratively with Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation.

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Stimulus funding spans replacement of pedestrian bridges


July 23, 2021

Two Redlands Coast pedestrian bridges will be replaced through $1.3 million in program funding.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the replacement of the Anita Street pedestrian bridge at Redland Bay and the Fellmonger Park pedestrian bridge at Ormiston, would be funded through the second phase of the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program.

Cr Williams said the 41.5m Anita Street bridge spanned Redland Bay’s Moogurrapum Creek, linking the eastern end of the street with the Pinelands Circuit Park and on to North Street.

Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards and Division 6 Councillor Julie Talty said it was an important link between their divisions for pedestrians and cyclists.

Cr Edwards said that earlier this year a supporting beam on the bridge had to be replaced.

It was decided due to the state of some of the other bearers that it would be more cost effective to do a full replacement, Cr Talty said.

Division 1 Councillor Wendy Boglary said the Fellmonger Park bridge spanned Hilliards Creek and linked Hilliards Park Drive to Old Cleveland Road East in Ormiston. A 150mm high-pressure water pipeline is suspended from the substructure of the bridge.

“It was also considered more cost effective to replace this bridge rather than doing ongoing repairs,” Cr Boglary said.

Cr Williams said work on both bridges was scheduled to start in August and continue to December, subject to weather conditions.

“These projects are part of more than $5.3 million being invested in community infrastructure in Redlands Coast under phase 2 of the LRCI program this year,” she said.

“$800,000 was allocated for the Anita Street bridge and $500,000 for the Fellmonger Park bridge.

“Issued by the Australian Government, this is stimulus funding aimed at helping councils and their communities bounce back from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is above and beyond Redland City Council’s own stimulus spending, so it is a very welcome boost to the local economy and the creation of jobs.

“Wherever possible we will be using local businesses and suppliers on these works.”

The Australian Government has committed $5.3 million to works in Redlands City under the LRCI Program Phase 2.

 

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Live appearances added to Olympics Live


July 22, 2021

Paralympian Daniel Fox and Olympian Andrew Trim will be guest speakers at a one-off forum being held during the Redlands Coast Olympics Live event.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams, who will also address this Sunday’s morning forum in central Cleveland, said the sportsmen – both long-time local residents – will join Wynnum-Redlands Canoe Club president John Simpson on a panel to discuss the importance of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“With Brisbane being named host of the 2032 Olympics and Paralympic Games and with the Tokyo Olympics under way, what an exciting time to hear some real-life stories from these athletes,” Cr Williams said.

“Redlands Coast will be an event venue city for the Canoe Slalom events at the Brisbane 2032 Games, so it will be great to hear about the purpose-built Olympic-standard Redland Whitewater Centre that will be home to this exciting Olympic sport.”

Ranger Stacey will emcee the event which starts at 9.30am on Sunday 25 July and runs until 10am when that day’s Olympics Live Presented by Westpac broadcast starts.

Daniel Fox is a para-swimmer who competed in the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, and the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Andrew Trim is a past World Champion in kayaking having competed in three Olympic Games and winning medals in two, including a Silver at the last home Olympics in Sydney.

Olympics Live Redlands Coast at Bloomfield Street Park, Cleveland, will operate from 10am to 4pm, Saturday 24 July to Friday 30 July, with Sunday’s one-off forum coinciding with the popular Cleveland Markets.

The seven days of big screen viewing and Sunday activities are being run by Redland City Council.

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Games come to Redlands Coast in 2032


July 21, 2021

The Olympics are coming to Redlands Coast in 2032.

With Brisbane being named as host city for the Games of the XXXV Olympiad, Redland City Mayor Karen Williams confirmed Redlands Coast would be an event venue city for the Canoe Slalom events at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“This is a fantastic opportunity, not only for locals to enjoy the spectacle and excitement of a Games event right in our city’s backyard, but also to showcase our wonderful Redlands Coast to the world,” Cr Williams said.

“A purpose-built Olympic-standard Redland Whitewater Centre to host the canoe slalom events is part of the integrated Redlands Coast Adventure Sports Precinct for which Birkdale Community Precinct on Old Cleveland Road East, Birkdale, is the preferred site.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced in Tokyo tonight that Brisbane had been selected to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Cr Williams said what was even more exciting about the whitewater venue is that it would be a legacy facility for generations to come.

“There is ample land for such a facility to be accompanied by other uses without having to impact the site’s important environmental and cultural values. Its overall legacy opportunities are compelling,” she said.

“Subject to vision development and master planning, the location for the Redland Whitewater Centre within the precinct is likely to be the area proximate to the vacant cleared land to the precinct’s northern corner, given the known values of the land and the opportunities it presents.

“Council will soon be able to share with the community the Vision for the Birkdale Community Precinct, which will capture and integrate the aspirations and ideas of the community as expressed through the recent community engagement.

“It is a large precinct that has space for many exciting projects that would enhance lifestyle and benefit communities and economies. The Redland Whitewater Centre, which has a small footprint and will be on already cleared land, would be just one of several community ventures and activities that the 62-hectare site could accommodate.”

Cr Williams said similar Olympic facilities elsewhere had demonstrated substantial local community and economic benefits, including during construction and for ongoing operation.

“It will bring forward important transport infrastructure, in particular, the much-needed duplication of the Cleveland railway line and the completion of the Eastern Busway to Capalaba,” Cr Williams said.

“The Redlands Coast Adventure Sports Precinct is identified as a catalyst project in Our Redlands – A Corporate Plan to 2026 and Beyond.

“It is anticipated that about 150 jobs could be sustained through the building and delivery of the adventure sports precinct, with an annual contribution of $52 million to the local economy.

“It also has significant opportunities to be used as a swift-water rescue training facility for emergency services.”

Australian Olympic Team paddler Jessica Fox who will compete in the Canoe Slalom events in Tokyo said the 2032 Olympics decision was an “amazing opportunity”.

“We all know the impact the Sydney Olympics had on all of us, on sport in Australia, the general public, so to see it come home would be amazing.  It’s something the kids, watching the Olympics today, could look forward to in a few years’ time,” the three-time Olympian said from the athletes’ village in Tokyo.

“It’s incredible to think of a new whitewater venue in Redlands Coast. It would be amazing for the sport, for the community, tourism and for the general public wanting to try something new.

“We’ve seen the impact Penrith (Whitewater Stadium in NSW) has had on us and our sport and to have another world class venue in Australia would be incredible.

“We see this venue here (in Tokyo) and it would just be amazing to have that back home in Redlands Coast.”

Fellow Australian team member at the Tokyo Olympics, Russell Island-raised sailor Mara Stransky said Brisbane’s selection for 2032 was “fantastic for Australian sport in so many ways”.

“It’s the 8-year-old of today who we can be really proud of when the Olympics come here,” she said.

Stransky, 22, who will compete in the Laser Radial class in Tokyo, said an Olympics whitewater centre in Redlands Coast would be a great asset for the city.

Cr Williams said Redlands Coast residents had the chance to cheer on the Australian Olympic team in Tokyo during the Olympics Live free event to be held in Cleveland from this Saturday (24 July).

“There will be a large LED screen set up in Bloomfield Street Park broadcasting all of the excitement and achievements from the Tokyo Olympics live,” she said.

Olympics Live Presented by Westpac Redlands Coast at Bloomfield Street Park, Cleveland, will operate from 10am to 4pm, Saturday 24 July to Friday 30 July.

Cr Williams said the Council of Mayors (SEQ), which has been instrumental in the Brisbane 2032 proposal, had good reason to celebrate their success.

“The Games are predicted to deliver some $8.1 billion in economic and social benefits for Queensland, and $17.6 billion nationally,” Cr Williams said.

For more Olympics information, go to redland.qld.gov.au/olympics

What exactly is the event that Redlands Coast will host in 2032?

The sport of canoe slalom, in which competitors in canoes and kayaks navigate a series of whitewater rapid challenges, was modelled from ski slalom and began in Switzerland in 1932. In its early days, it was first performed on flat water but later switched to whitewater rapids. In canoe slalom the boats are small, light and agile, allowing for greater manoeuvrability through rapids.

Canoe slalom made its debut at the 1972 Munich Games. Slalom racing was not competed again in the Olympic Games until the 1992 Barcelona Games. Canoe slalom racers compete in four events, three for men and one for women, over the same course.

 

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Council to speak up at 125th LGAQ annual conference


July 21, 2021

Redland City Council will advocate for key issues on behalf of the community at the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) annual conference, to be held in Mackay from 25-27 October 2021.

The 125th annual conference will bring together delegates from all tiers of government, external stakeholders and the media to consider the challenges facing local government and their communities.

Mayor Karen Williams said the motions to be tabled by Redland City Council at the conference were:

  • Funding for prevention of domestic and family violence
  • Adequate car parking at Queensland railway stations

She said domestic and family violence was exhibited in many forms and took an enormous toll on individuals and communities, with greater funding needed to help combat the issue.

“It is vitally important that we see sufficient funding directed to programs that can assist with the prevention of this crime, and also to education in managing adverse behaviours in perpetrators, both men and women,” Cr Williams said.

“We will also be advocating for the recognition and support of prevention support groups to the same level as victims of domestic violence groups, as well as recognition of associations and programs for perpetrators.

“It is so important that sufficient funding be allocated in these areas along with the assurance that funding to victims will not be reduced.”

Cr Williams said Council would also be advocating for more commuter car parking at Queensland railway stations.

“With south-east Queensland being one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, enormous pressures are being placed on our road network,” she said.

“All areas of the south-east need to be encouraging the use of public transport, but insufficient parking for rail commuters is little incentive for people to use this form of transport.

“Another issue we are seeing is that overflow parking is placing unnecessary burden on what were formerly quiet, neighbourhood streets.

“More funding directed to Queensland railway stations for vehicle parking, even if this means purchasing more land for parking, would encourage a greater number of people to travel by rail and would also help reduce the impacts on nearby residents.”

Mayor Karen Williams and Division 6 Councillor and Deputy Mayor Julie Talty will be Council’s official delegates at the LGAQ Conference, with other Councillors able to attend as observers.

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Planned burns scheduled in Alexandra Hills – Friday 23 July 2021


July 21, 2021

UPDATE: Thursday 22 June 2021

The hazard reduction burns within the Scribbly Gums Conservation Area at Alexandra Hills will continue on Friday 23 July 2021, weather permitting.

Wednesday 21 June 2021

Redland City Council’s Parks and Conservation Crews and Brisbane Region Rural Fire Service will undertake a hazard reduction burn in two areas within the Scribbly Gums Conservation Area on Thursday 22 July 2021, weather permitting.

The locations of the planned burns are:

  • 23-141 Flinders Street, Alexandra Hills
  • 57A Winchester Road, Alexandra Hills.

Crews will be onsite from 7.30am, with the burns expected to occur between 10am and 3.30pm.

A hazard reduction burn is planned at 23-141 Flinders Street, Alexandra Hills, in the area marked in yellow.

The purpose of the burns is to reduce the volume of forest litter fuel, which will assist with hazard reduction – reducing the fire danger and providing conditions essential for native regeneration.

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

A hazard reduction burn is planned at 57A Winchester Road, Alexandra Hills, in the area marked in yellow.

No impact is expected for road traffic, however advisory signs will be erected in nearby streets that may be impacted by smoke.

For more information about Council’s planned burn program, visit redland.qld.gov.au/PlannedBurns.

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Enough housing supply and diversity in Redland City


July 21, 2021

Redland City Councillors have unanimously refuted the Deputy Premier’s proposed Ministerial Direction requiring Council to prepare a new housing supply and diversity strategy for Redland City by August 2022.

Mayor Karen Williams said Redland City had plenty of housing supply and diversity and would demonstrate there was no urgent need for a strategy in a written submission to the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, Steven Miles.

“I am bewildered as to why the Deputy Premier has sent a letter stating he is considering using his ministerial powers to force Council’s hand on the matter,” Cr Williams said.

“We are meeting our requirements with evidence of sufficient and increasing housing diversity in Redlands in the State Government’s own annual Land Supply and Development Monitoring (LSDM) Reports.

“The LSDM consistently notes that Redland City has sufficient planned dwelling supply to achieve the dwelling supply benchmarks of the SEQ Regional Plan (ShapingSEQ).

“In addition, recent dwelling approvals show the City is achieving greater diversity in its dwelling stock compared with the 2016 Census.

“While housing strategies are valuable, local governments would usually undertake them in preparation for a review of their planning schemes.

“As this is some four years away for Redland City, and the city’s 2002/21 housing supply figures exceeds the State’s targets, it would be premature and unnecessary for Council to allocate resources to undertake this strategy now.

“Council has already completed two pieces of work that currently serve the purpose of a housing supply strategy – the Redlands Housing Strategy 2011-2031 and the Redland Land Supply Review; a detailed assessment of residential land availability undertaken in 2014,” Cr Williams said.

Prior to the preparation of the current Redland City Plan, Council officers engaged planning consultants to prepare the ‘Redlands Housing Strategy 2011-2031’ (RHS), which recommended the types of housing that would be required to meet the future housing needs of the Redlands.

In 2014 Council also engaged planning consultants to undertake a detailed assessment of residential land availability in the Redlands which found that Redland has capacity to accommodate the number of dwellings required to house the projected population growth over the planning timeframe 2014 to 2041.

Cr Williams said that together, these bodies of work not only informed the development of the Redland City Plan but would also ensure future planning scheme amendments and the review of the Local Government Infrastructure Plan supported ongoing supply and diversity of residential land across our City.

“Council is also currently finalising a comprehensive review of existing residential land supply and demand across the City to 2045,”Cr Williams said.

“While we may have temporarily fallen below the ShapingSEQ benchmark of four years of approved lot supply, our figures from the 2020/21 financial year will be well above this target at close to five years.

“We seem to have been singled out as there are much bigger players with a lot more population growth that could deliver additional housing, but do not seem to be getting the same direction from the Minister.

“It would appear that other local government areas that have fallen below the ShapingSEQ threshold – including Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Noosa and Moreton Bay – have not been requested to prepare a housing supply and diversity strategy.

“Council has also progressed land use and infrastructure planning for two newly emerging communities in south west Victoria Point and southern Redland Bay which are expected to accommodate more than 5500 new lots, including providing opportunities for lots below 400m2.

“It is also worth noting that the Deputy Premier recently commented that the State’s newly established Priority Growth Area in Southern Redland Bay would unlock growth, housing choice and affordability and identified the opportunity for an additional 2000 new dwellings outside the approved Shoreline development.

Council determined today that the CEO would write back to the Deputy Premier to demonstrate there was no need to prepare a housing supply and diversity strategy at this time, and request that the State provide a transport and infrastructure plan that is intrinsically linked to the dwelling forecasts for Redland City and that includes the Eastern Busway through to Capalaba, Cleveland Rail duplication through to Cleveland and upgrades to all State-owned roads.

Providing this critical infrastructure will be key in unlocking the planned dwelling supply in City’s existing urban areas.

Cr Williams said “We stand here ready to collaborate with the State Government but want to do it right.

“We ask the State to come to the party with transport and other infrastructure that meets growth expectations.”

Council has 20 business days to make a submission in response to the Deputy Premier’s notification that he was considering exercising the Ministerial Direction powers under the Planning Act 2016 to require Council to prepare a Redland City housing supply and diversity strategy by 30 August 2022.

 

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Council aims to deliver savings through new Corporate Procurement Policy


July 21, 2021

Redland City Council has formally adopted its new Corporate Procurement Policy aimed at saving money and supporting local businesses through better purchasing and project delivery processes.

Mayor Karen Williams said the policy was a continuing initiative which set out Council’s framework for procurement and contracting.

“The new Corporate Procurement Policy streamlines our internal authorising processes and ensures the efficient and timely delivery of Council’s capital works, operational and service delivery programs,” she said.

“It continues our strategic approach to procurement, which needs to be agile in response to 18 months of COVID-19 disruptions, including increased demand in the building industry and disruptions in supply of mechanical and computer equipment.

“The policy also aims to support opportunities for local businesses.”

Cr Williams said Council spent about $140 million through its procurement activity each year on goods, services and work.

“Over the past six to 18 months Council has transitioned its procurement activity to use legislated Strategic Contracting Procedures,” she said.

“This model allows us to negotiate bulk buying rates and research into innovative and continuous improvement initiatives, which is particularly relevant as Council supports the broader community and economic response and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Cr Williams said that, by adopting the policy, Council had also supported an increase in the CEO contract delegation from $2 million to $10 million.

“This increase is considered reasonable given the CEO, on behalf of Council, is responsible for managing $2.88 billion in assets and delivering a budget of $327 million this financial year.

“It will also facilitate bundled and bulk buying contracts while streamlining approval processes, ultimately strengthening our focus on community services.”

At today’s general meeting, Council also adopted its Annual Contracting Plan 2021-22, which details the goods, services and work to be procured and the disposal of assets by Council consistent with its budget.

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