A vision for the future of one of the most sought after pieces of local land is a step closer after Council today adopted plans for the heritage and environmental management of the former Commonwealth land at 362 – 388 Old Cleveland Road East, Birkdale.

The decision follows the recent completion of studies and assessments Council commissioned to understand the historical and environmental value of the land, with the community to soon have a chance to have their say on how the land should be used.

Mayor Karen Williams said the decision was an exciting milestone in what had been a very long process.

“Council worked hard over many years with successive Federal Government Ministers to purchase this land for the community,” she said.

“With the studies complete and the reports in, Council will now work towards developing a vision for the land that will help frame future master planning and consideration of possible uses.

“This will include extensive community engagement, with the completed heritage and environmental studies helping to inform the vision for the property to ensure these values are protected moving forward.

“We worked for almost a decade to secure this land for the community and soon residents will be able to tell us what they would like to see on the land, with an exciting opportunity to secure a lasting legacy for future Redlands Coast generations.”

The studies completed on the land include:

• Conservation (Heritage) Management Plan
• Review of Indigenous Heritage Values
• Ecological Assessment and Environmental Management Plan
• Preliminary Engineering Assessment
• Opportunities and Constraints Analysis (Planning Assessment)

Division 10 Councillor Paul Bishop welcomed today’s decision.

“The Redlands Coast community’s relationship with this land goes back into the mists of time,” he said.

“The site has ecological values, Indigenous cultural significance, pioneer reminders, important military history, and local farming heritage.

“The diverse range of community stories about connection to this land are many and varied. I look forward to the continuing community conversations as Council develops visions for potential end uses of the land, and the well-informed community consultation that will be part of it.

“There are also management and maintenance activities that need to commence, such as weed and pest control and fencing work.”

“These expert studies will help us co-design plans as we navigate pathways to leave a new legacy for future generations.”

More information about the land, including reports on the studies and assessments undertaken, can be found on the project’s page on Council’s Your Say site at yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au/BirkdaleLand