Redland City Council’s auction of land for overdue rates and charges, which was scheduled for 7 April 2020, has been cancelled.

The auction was scheduled following a Council resolution at the General Meeting on 20 November 2019.

With the health and wellbeing of the Redlands Coast Community as Council’s priority, the auction will not proceed at this time.

This is also in line with the Federal Government’s recent banning of in-room and on-site auctions until further notice.

Property owners whose land was on the list on 24 March 2020 will be contacted by Council to ensure they are aware of the decision.

Due to legislative requirements, Council may be obliged to consider a future date for the auction.

As a result of the significant impact COVID-19 is having on the community, Council has also decided to compassionately review ratepayer’s situations on a case-by-case basis and be as flexible as possible in extending arrangements during the coronavirus pandemic.

Council’s Financial Hardship Policy, adopted last year, will also be promoted, reviewed and updated to ensure eligible ratepayers can access hardship provisions in relation to their statutory rates and charges.

However, Council always hopes overdue accounts are brought into balance before auction day.

If you are having problems paying your rates and charges, please contact Council on 3829 8999 to discuss entering into a payment arrangement and further support.

For information about Council’s $2 million plus COVID-19 response package, visit Council’s website.

Redlands Coast libraries have turned to video to ensure younger residents can continue to enjoy the magic of story time through its popular First5Forever program.

As Council moved last week to close non-essential services to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the library team began creating the first of a series of daily First5Forever videos to ensure parents and children aged up to five years could stay connected with this very special program.

The first fun video was posted on Friday, with the library team aiming to post one every weekday at 9.30am to reflect the usual in-branch First5Forever activities.

An event will be created on Facebook as a reminder to parents to jump onto Facebook at 9.30am each weekday. The sessions will be approximately 15 minutes and include the key messages of the early literacy program First 5 Forever, which is a partnership funded program through the State Library of Queensland.

A library spokesperson said First5Forever was fun way to provide children aged 0-5 years with strong early literacy foundations through the key themes of talk, read, sing and play.

“By videoing the program and making it available from home, we hope to continue giving parents the best opportunities to help their children learn and succeed,” the spokesperson said.

“Parents and caregivers have an invaluable role in supporting their child’s early development and First5Forever, in turn, supports parents and caregivers to do that.

“We are really thrilled to be able to keep it going during the current pandemic, with some wonderful feedback from parents.”

The libraries will also be posting after-school activities and things you can do from home with children during the school holidays.

To see the videos and school holiday activities follow facebook.com/RedlandLibraries

Redland City Council today announced a $2 million plus social and economic package to support Redlands Coast residents, businesses and community groups through the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

The comprehensive package, approved at a special Council General Meeting, is considered stage 1, and includes:

• Double the amount of time to pay next rates bill
• $288,000 in grants for business and community groups experiencing hardship due to COVID-19
• Working directly with businesses, social enterprises and community groups to help them access State and Federal economic stimulus packages
• Reduced red-tape for businesses and community groups
• Provide one-off contribution towards electricity costs for clubs and associations registered under Council’s community electricity scheme
• Strengthen Council’s local buy preference and fast-track payments
• Expand Council’s Wi-Fi to assist businesses
• Promote, review and update Council’s financial hardship policy to ensure eligible ratepayers can access hardship provisions in relation to their statutory rates and charges
• Seek to fast-track $60 million in Council infrastructure works within the community by taking advantage of potential State and Federal government grants announced.

Redlands Coast Local Disaster Management Group Chair, Mayor Karen Williams, said the COVID-19 outbreak was already having a profound impact on residents, businesses and community groups.

“I am acutely aware that many local businesses have had to reduce their service offering or temporarily close and this is also affecting the livelihoods of their employees,” Cr Williams said.

“Today we have adopted a range of financial and non-financial measures at an urgent Special Meeting.”

Redland City Council CEO Andrew Chesterman said that to provide immediate assistance, all Redland Coast ratepayers would automatically be granted double the usual time to pay their April rates, with the due date extended from 11 May until 11 June 2020.

“In addition, Council will compassionately review ratepayers’ situations on a case-by-case basis and be as flexible as possible in extending arrangements during the Coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

“Council’s Financial Hardship Policy, adopted last November, will also be promoted, reviewed and updated to ensure all eligible ratepayers affected by COVID-19 are aware of, and can access, hardship provisions in relation to their statutory rates and charges.

“The review of the hardship policy will be included in the new Council’s 2020-2021 budget development process after the local government election.”

Mr Chesterman said funds originally intended for the current round of the community grants and sponsorship programs would be diverted to those adversely impacted by the emerging pandemic emergency.

“This will allow us to repurpose $288,000 to a targeted grants program aimed at both relief and recovery efforts for small businesses and community organisations,” he said.

“Business Support Officers will be working closely with local businesses, social enterprises, community groups and sporting clubs to help them access the Federal and State Governments’ Economic Stimulus packages.

“Council has strengthened its local buy preference with existing contract arrangements being reviewed to expedite payments to improve supplier cash flows.

“Getting payments to our suppliers quickly is a practical way Council can help them with their cash flows.

“Council will also seek to bring forward up to $60 million worth of infrastructure projects that meet criteria for the Federal and State Government’s commitment to generate local economic activity during this time.

“These projects will of course depend on State and Federal government funding being made available.”

Cr Williams said these were among a raft of initiatives Councillors endorsed to ease the pain of Redlands Coast residents and businesses during these unprecedented times.

“We see this as stage one, our initial offering of support as we stand together with the Redlands Coast community,” she said.

Mr Chesterman said that after the election the new Council would continue to monitor and re-evaluate the rapidly evolving situation.

“It is vital our Council response is agile and flexible as well as empathetic and compassionate,” he said.

Access Council’s Financial Hardship Policy on Council’s website .

Under measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 on Redlands Coast, Redland City Council has extended its closures of public facilities and services following further Federal Government restrictions on non-essential services.

Local Disaster Management Group Chair, Mayor Karen Williams, said the decision to close services or restrict access to Council facilities or meetings was never an easy one.

“In these uncertain times, however, and with lives at risk, it is vital that we encourage social distancing,” she said.

“These measures have been taken in the interests of public health and wellbeing, which is our priority.”

The current list of closures is as follows:

Council Customer Service Centres

Victoria Point Customer Service Centre is closed until further notice, as it is located inside the Victoria Point Library, which closed on Monday this week.

The Capalaba Customer Service Centre will close from 4.30pm on Friday 27 March until further notice.

Council’s Customer Service Centre in Cleveland currently remains open, with strict social distancing measures in place.

Residents are strongly encouraged to use Council’s online and telephone services as much as possible.

Council’s Customer Contact Centre remains open for all phone enquiries on (07) 3829 8999.

Opening hours for telephone enquiries are Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm, excluding public holidays.

IndigiScapes Environmental Centre

The IndigiScapes Environmental Education Centre, Capalaba, including café, native nursery, and theatrette has been closed until further notice.

Libraries, galleries and RPAC

All after-hours library return chutes have now been closed until further notice.

With the closure of Cleveland, Capalaba and Victoria Point libraries, all loans have been extended until the libraries reopen.

There will be no fees for people who cannot return their books.

The libraries’ extensive online services will continue, including e-books, e-audio books, e-magazines, music, movies and children’s stories.

Council’s art galleries and Redland Performing Arts Centre are closed.

Community halls

Indoor venues, including community halls, are closed and all current bookings registered in Council’s booking system will be cancelled until further notice.

Any payments relating to these bookings will be refunded accordingly.

Due to the Local Government election on Saturday, community halls at Victoria Point and Capalaba Place remain open for pre-polling, with social distancing measures in place.

On Saturday, community halls at Thorneside and Redland Bay, and North Stradbroke (Minjerribah), Russell (Canaipa), Lamb (Ngudooroo), Macleay (Jencoomercha) and Coochiemudlo (Goochie mudlo) islands, will be open for polling.

For social distancing reasons, residents have been encouraged to vote early in the lead-up to Saturday’s election.

You can vote early at Cleveland Baptist Church, Victoria Point Community Hall, Capalaba Place Hall or Brisbane City Hall.

The Electoral Commission of Queensland has established a telephone voting system for certain eligible voters.

This includes those people who have an impairment or disability, are self-quarantining or live more than 20km from a polling booth.

For more information and registration, contact 1300 912 782 or visit ecq.qld.gov.au

Visitor Information Centre

While the Visitor Information Centre is closed, information is still available by phone on 1300 667 386 or on the Redlands Coast website.

Public swimming pools

Cleveland Aquatic Centre and Bay Islands Aquatic Centre are closed until further notice.

More information

Watch Council’s website and social media for updates.

For the latest health advice, visit health.qld.gov.au

Redland City Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) and Redland City Council advise that the State Government has placed a ban on non-essential and holiday travel to North Stradbroke Island (Minjerrbah) from midnight tonight to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Queensland Police will be enforcing the ban and requesting identification, such as a driver’s license, ensuring only permanent island residents and people engaging in essential travel are permitted onto the island.

Essential travel would include travelling for work, medical reasons, emergencies, education, compassionate reasons and to deliver essential services and supplies, such as groceries.

Non-essential travel includes recreation, tourism, camping, staying in a holiday home even if you own it, and socialising with friends and family.

In line with Australian and State government border closures, anyone travelling to North Stradbroke Island from interstate or overseas will need to self-isolate for 14 days.

Chair of the LDMG and Redland Mayor Karen Williams said the ban meant people who had planned to spend their Easter holidays on the island should contact their tourism or accommodation provider to discuss alternative arrangements.

“The LDMG wrote to the State Disaster Coordination Centre this week to urge a decision from them on restricting non-essential travel to our Redlands Coast islands,” she said.

“Our city’s islands have ageing populations and vulnerable communities, including First Nations People and an ageing community, as well as limited medical facilities.

“Now is not the time to holiday to our islands.

“While there is no official ban on travel to our other Redlands Coast islands, the LDMG and Council continue to encourage people to reconsider their need for non-essential travel to Coochiemudlo (Goochie mudlo), Russell (Canaipa), Lamb (Ngudooroo), Macleay (Jencoomercha) and Karragarra islands, all in Southern Moreton Bay.

“The island transport is often crowded, especially at peak times, including Easter, which makes social distancing difficult.”

For updated health information, visit the Queensland Health website.

The Redland City Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) and Redland City Council are encouraging people to reconsider their need for non-essential travel to the Redlands Coast islands.

This includes North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah), Coochiemudlo Island (Goochie mudlo), and the four Southern Moreton Bay islands of Russell (Canaipa), Lamb (Ngudooroo), Macleay (Jencoomercha) and Karragarra.

The request comes as Chair of the Redland City Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG), Mayor Karen Williams, today moved the group to Stand Up status.

Cr Williams said the city’s islands had ageing populations and vulnerable communities, putting residents at risk of complications from the virus that is causing COVID-19.

“In line with Federal and State government messaging, we are strongly urging everyone to avoid non-essential travel of any kind, especially to our islands,” she said.

“This will help slow the spread of the virus and protect our island communities.

“The LDMG has written to the State Disaster Coordination Centre  to urge a decision from them on restricting non-essential travel to our city’s islands.

“In the meantime, essential travel would include travelling for work, medical reasons, education, compassionate reasons and to deliver essential services and supplies such as groceries.

“Non-essential travel includes recreation, tourism, including camping, and general socialising with friends and family.

“We are asking everyone to help us slow the spread of this virus by staying away from our islands unless they live there or have a need for essential travel.

“This way, we help slow the spread of the virus and save lives.”

Cr Williams said the island transport was often crowded, particularly as thousands of visitors arrived on the islands at peak times, including Easter.

“This makes social distancing difficult,” she said.

“The islands also have limited medical facilities, so protecting these communities is vitally important.

“I strongly encourage people to rethink their Easter holiday plans if they include the islands, and to contact their tourism or accommodation provider to discuss alternative arrangements.”

Redland City Council’s libraries, art galleries, Visitor Information Centre and the IndigiScapes Environmental Education Centre and café will close from midday today, Monday 23 March 2020.

Local Disaster Management Group Chair, Mayor Karen Williams, said public access to all these venues would be closed until further notice under Council measures to limit the transmission of the COVID-19 virus in the community.

“This is to encourage social distancing,” Cr Williams said.

“To assist our residents, the libraries’ extensive online services will continue, including e-books, e-audio books, e-magazines, music, movies and children’s stories.

“All loans have currently been extended until 11 May 2020 but book return chutes will be open until further notice so you do not need to enter the library to return items.

“Library Wi-Fi facilities will remain free and accessible around library buildings.

“There will be no fees for people who cannot return their books.

“The IndigiScapes centre and café will close but the nursery will remain open for the time being.

“While the Visitor Information Centre will be closed, information will still be available by phone on 1300 667 386 or on the Redlands Coast website.

“We thank residents for their understanding and for working with us as we do all we can to limit the spread of the virus in our community.”

Council CEO Andrew Chesterman said the closures followed the earlier closure of the Redland Performing Arts Centre currently until 30 April 2020.

“Council has also implemented social distancing measures in our Customer Service Centres and encourages residents to use Council’s online and telephone services as much as possible to help slow the spread of the virus on Redlands Coast,” he said.

“Council will continue with its critical services and will keep the community updated on the availability of programs and services as the situation develops.”

Watch Council’s social media for updates.

For the latest health advice, visit Queensland Health

As a result of the Prime Minister’s announcement on 22 March 2020, there are new restrictions on social gatherings. Council is contacting Redlands Coast’s licenced food businesses to advise that as of midday local time 23 March 2020 until further notice:

• All pubs, registered and licenced clubs and hotels will be restricted from opening (excluding accommodation and bottle shops);
• Gyms and indoor sporting venues, cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos, and night clubs will also be restricted from opening; and
• Restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery.

For health information on COVID-19, please visit the Queensland Health

Redland City Council is continuing to assist food business to ensure everyone is aware of the new requirements, as we all adapt to the progressive nature of the COVID-19 outbreak.