- Message from the Mayor
- PDA update
- Investment magnet
- In the business pipeline
- Spreading the message
- The first South East Queensland Island Forum – ‘Tourism, Transport and Local Economies’
- Sign of the times
Message from the Mayor
This year is shaping to be a landmark year of growth and prosperity for the Redlands.
Building on the solid foundations laid in 2013, the City is primed to cement its reputation as “the best place to live, work and do business”.
Work continues apace (see below) on the Priority Development Areas of Weinam Creek and Toondah Harbour, the Cleveland CBD and important work towards the review of the Redland Planning Scheme which is expected to help shape the growth and character of the Redlands to 2025 and even beyond.
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I would encourage you all to take every opportunity to participate this year and to help us shape a prosperous future for our wonderful city.
PDA update
On 10 January, the draft public discussion documents on the Toondah Harbour and Weinam Creek Priority Development Areas were released for public review and comment
Community forums hosted by Redland City Council and Economic Development Queensland are also scheduled to help outline the vision and development process for both these strategic waterfront sites.
These forums will be an important opportunity to learn more about the possibilities for these two vital areas of our city and set out proposed land uses, development criteria and associated infrastructure envisaged for the PDAs.
The forum sessions will help outline the early vision for the sites, and give stakeholders another opportunity for input before investors are invited to lodge expressions of interest.
The forums will be held at:
Toondah Harbour
- 1 February: 1-3pm Island View Café, Toondah Harbour
- 7 February: 3:30-5:30 Island View Café, Toondah Harbour
- 8 February: 1-3pm Dunwich Community Hall, North Stradbroke Island
Weinam Creek
- 30 January: 5-8pm at Redland Bay Communtiy Hall
- 6 February: 5-8pm at Macleay Island Progress Hall
For more information on the PDA process, visit our website.
Investment magnet
The Redlands continues to be a magnet for international delegations exploring potential investment opportunities, with six delegations visiting the City since October.
There has not just been interest in the PDA areas at Toondah Harbour and Weinam Creek – more than 20 government and investor delegates from China and Japan also visited other key Redlands locations and are impressed with what the City has to offer.
Add to that the fact that two key Cleveland buildings have recently been bought by investors and the recent media focus on the Redlands’ potential property prospects, and there is ample proof that the Redlands is cementing its reputation as “the best place to live, work and do business”.
Council is also considering potential development options for land it owns in Cleveland as part of its mission to breathe new life into the CBD. The options in a report on Cleveland CBD prepared for Council by Jones Lang LaSalle included developing the existing Council administration building as well as nearby land, potentially delivering millions of dollars in savings for ratepayers and presenting improved commercial and residential opportunities within our City’s heart.
The preliminary Commercial Investment Attraction Strategy report prepared for Council was tabled at a General Meeting of Council on 21 August 2013 (available online) and provides food for thought.
In the business pipeline
Marketing specialist Anita Beasley will offer Redland business owners an insight into how to boost their enterprises at a free workshop sponsored by Redland City Council on 5 February.
“Surfing the new business pipelines’’, from 4.30pm-6.30pm at the Redlands IndigiScapes Centre, Runnymede Road, Capalaba, will help businesses identify basic low-cost marketing opportunities and develop simple and targeted business plans.
Ms. Beasley has contributed to the success of start-ups through to multinationals in a career spanning 20 years.
In 2011 she started Action Communications with her sister and together they work with national and local clients on branding, marketing, communications and public relations.
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served.
Places are limited so RSVP by 30 January to [email protected] or by calling 3829 8507.
Remember also to mark 13-14 June in your diary for the Redlands Business Expo. This opportunity for business networking includes a family day. The expo, which will showcase more than 70 local businesses, is an initiative of Redland Chamber of Commerce and is held in conjunction with Redland City Council.
For more information, visit The Redlands Business Expo website or contact Karen Brown at [email protected] or on 3829 8507.
Spreading the message
Council is pursuing a number of opportunities to highlight the Redlands as an ideal destination for recreation and leisure.
A new Brisbane Marketing initiative aimed at drawing more visitors to Brisbane will be launched soon and it will have exciting flow-on benefits for the Redlands.
Local tourism industry operators have been given an overview of the campaign and most left enthused about the possibility to cast a wider net and bolster visitor spending in our City. Stay tuned for more information.
A key area of Council’s tourism focus this year has been partnership with the North Stradbroke Island community and business to support NSI as a holiday destination after dramatic fires in January disrupted peak season holiday visitors to this beautiful island.
North Stradbroke remains a stunning seaside holiday destination easily accessible to southeast Queensland holiday makers. It is open for tourism business.
Within days, even burnt out bushland areas have shown signs of quickly reshooting and recovery, as is typical of the Australian bush, and the island is expected to return to its full natural beauty within a very short time.
Holiday makers are being asked to help the recovery process by keeping their pets under control and keeping to the marked trails so as not to damage the delicate recovery of the island’s unique flora and fauna.
The first South East Queensland Island Forum- ‘Tourism, Transport and Local Economies’
Following the inaugural Australian Small Island Forum held on Lord Howe Island in May 2012, Redland City Council and Southern Cross University are now organising a similar event focussing on the coastal islands of Queensland. The objective of the forum is to provide an opportunity for Islanders and people who are enthusiastic about Islands to come together, learn from each other, discuss common issues and discover ways of working together.
It will be held on North Stradbroke, Russell and Macleay Islands from Monday 24 February to Wednesday 26 February 2014 (NB North Stradbroke Island will be the accommodation base, free ferry transport will be provided between NSI and Russell / Macleay on Tuesday 25th for a day session there).
Topics include;
- Sustainable Islands Tourism
- Transport – Crossing that crucial gap
- Cultural Tourism
- How much buy-in does tourism need from the community beyond those in tourism, and how to get it.
- The economics of autonomous islands – Can you make it alone?
- The rents of paradise – What to do with Island economies?
- Islands and Indigenous Business Opportunities.
Speakers confirmed so far;
- Jayne Bates: Mayor of Kangaroo Island
- David Thomson: General Manager, Transit Systems and Chairman, Straddie Chamber of Commerce
- Dr Michael Kortt: Southern Cross University Economist specialising in local government economics
- Karen Williams: Mayor of Redland City Council
- Cameron Costello: CEO, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation
- Lorna Hempstead: Magnetic Island Community Development Association Inc
- Dr Howard Guille: Stradbroke Centre for Island Learning.
An optional Straddie Kingfisher 4WD Half Day Tour is available Monday morning. Book directly with Straddie Kingfisher Tours (07) 3409 9502
Cost: $60 (for three days) or $20 and $40 for individual half-day and day attendances – 50% reduction for full time students and unemployed attendees (and Wednesday evening session on Russell – free admission). Registration payable on the day in cash only.
For information on panels and speakers email: [email protected]
For accommodation and other details email: [email protected], phone (07) 3829 8775
or visit the website.
Sign of the times
Digital message boards may soon welcome visitors to the Redlands after Council initiated an expression of interest process to install eight new signs at key City entry points.
The new signs would provide an attractive entrance to the City and strengthen our reputation as the best place to live, work and do business.
Sites earmarked for the signs are: Longland, Mount Cotton, Broadwater, Moreton Bay, Old Cleveland and Rickertt Roads, Toondah Harbour (Middle Street) and Weinam Creek (Hamilton Street).
The signs would also display community messages such as storm and fire warnings, and help promote key community events.
