Redland City Council is urging the community to consider Birkdale Community Precinct’s fascinating past when imagining future uses for the land.

Mayor Karen Williams said the land’s past was an important part of the discussion and its heritage values should be considered when imagining how to best use the 62-hectare site.

“With Aboriginal heritage and heritage-listed structures such as Willards Farm and the World War II radio receiving station protected on the site, there will always be physical reminders there of our past,” she said.

“This also provides an opportunity to honour and celebrate those who walked the land before us.

“From Traditional Owners through European settlement in the 1850s, to World War II, we can learn so much from this site – about our history, ourselves and our community.”

Deducing those lessons is Marianne Taylor (also known as The House Detective), an architectural historian highly experienced in heritage strategy and management.

“Our heritage survives as a reminder of our story so far, which is why it is so important to retain it,” Ms Taylor said.

“By sympathetically incorporating existing heritage features into new endeavours like this one, we can pay tribute to our history while also celebrating the next chapter in their story.”

Heritage expert Benjamin Gall, managing director of Australian Heritage Specialists, was part of a team that inspected the Birkdale site early in 2020 and prepared for Council a Conservation Management Plan for the land.

Mr Gall said he was passionate about how the past informed our future.

“I believe the unique and varied heritage values of the site will play a strong part in its success as a community precinct into the future,” he said.

“The key words in heritage practice are identify, protect, enhance and conserve.”

Cr Williams said that after many years of negotiating with the Commonwealth, the land was sold to Council for the purpose of conservation and community use.

“Over the years I met with no fewer than six Federal Government representatives and handed petitions to two Prime Ministers before we finally secured this important land,” she said.

“As a condition of the sale Council is required to protect the land’s important heritage and environmental values, including the two heritage-listed sites – Willards Farm and the World War II radio receiving station.

“These sites add so much to this land and I urge people to think big; there is plenty of land for many exciting projects that would enhance lifestyle, create jobs, boost the local economy and could bring forward important transport infrastructure.”

Division 10 Councillor Paul Bishop described the future of Birkdale Community Precinct as “perhaps the biggest public project in Redland City’s journey”.

“With so much history and ecology still intact on this rare site, this is an important, special parcel of land,” Cr Bishop said.

“We want visitors and locals to share their curiosity and relevant stories about what this place means to our past, present and future.

“This is a legacy site and we invite you to help identify what matters most to current and future generations. Please have your say.”

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 closes on Tuesday 4 May 2021.

Redland City Council has today re-opened the beach at Les Moore Park, which was temporarily closed for swimming due to elevated levels of bacteria.

Recent sampling confirmed the enterococci bacteria  – which is often found in waterways and can cause mild illnesses such as stomach upsets and infections – is no longer at high levels.

The beach has been reopened for swimming and other recreational activities in accordance with Healthy Land and Water’s Healthy Waterplay guidelines.

The beach will continue to be monitored though routine sampling as part of Council’s recreational water quality monitoring program.

During the COVID-19 lockdown period, local residents are able to access the beach for exercise.

PREVIOUS STORY: 26 MARCH 2021

Redland City Council has temporarily closed the beach at Les Moore Park, Victoria Point for swimming, after routine sampling revealed elevated levels of bacteria.

Temporary “no swimming” signs have been erected and ongoing water sampling is being conducted.

While low levels of enterococci bacteria are often found in waterways, particularly after rain and weather events, routine testing has identified elevated levels and Council has made the decision to close the beach in accordance with Healthy Waterways Healthy Waterplay guidelines.

As exposure to enterococci bacteria can lead to mild illness such as stomach upsets or infections, Council is warning against swimming there in the interests of community health.

Once the beach is again suitable for swimming, the temporary signage will be removed and a further notification will be provided. This will be when water testing shows acceptable levels for several consecutive days.

For more information about Council’s recreational water monitoring program please visit our Recreational Water Quality webpage.

Redland City Council has partnered with Carers Queensland and HeadSpace Capalaba in a relaxed community event designed to connect Redlands Coast residents who might otherwise be vulnerable to social isolation.

Mayor Karen Williams said the collaboration saw an information stall “pop-up” at Cleveland Library Square on Thursday ahead of Neighbour Day, an annual celebration of community set for Sunday, 28 March.

“The free tea and biscuits, as well as resource packs, made the stall a welcoming place for people to connect and have a chat,” Cr Williams said.

“We were also lucky to have some art work and ideas from community members who identified as having lived experience of disability.

“In addition to this event, Council is funding a ‘Know your neighbour’ video in partnership with Carers Queensland and Headspace Capalaba.

“Once finalised the video will be released through Council’s social media platforms and website.”

Laura Rae, Kirsti McDonald and Romi Thomas were the friendly faces of Carers Queensland at the information pop-up.

Councillor Williams said our collective experiences with the coronavirus pandemic made it clear how important it was to look out for each other.

“This is especially the case for those who might be more vulnerable and isolated due to factors like disability or age,” she said.

“Sharing a cuppa and getting to know our neighbours helps us to build better relationships so support is there in times of need.

“Even during COVID, there are many ways to create and maintain neighbourhood connections safely, including using the Get to Know Your Neighbour Card on Council’s website.”

There were plenty of activities on offer with AJ Johnson of HeadSpace Capalaba.

For more information and free Neighbour Day resources, visit the Neighbour Day website, contact Council or email communitydevelopment@redland.qld.gov.au.

Cr Williams said the spirit behind Neighbour Day was in abundance on Redlands Coast with local people involved with service and community organisations once again stepping up during our recent extreme weather.

“This week the Redlands Coast Community Champions have helped their fellow residents during water supply disruptions on Russell Island,” she said.

“As well as the local help always supplied by the SES, we can be very proud of the four-person crew from Redland SES Unit which has joined a Brisbane taskforce to help with the flood response further afield in Taree.”

Siobhan Hessing and Luke Duncomb from Council’s Disaster Management team.

A wash out has occurred at North Gorge Boardwalk  as a result of recent heavy rain.

The footings of a set of steps  on the southern side of the centre bridge have been undermined. Access on both sides of these steps has been closed and will remain so until it is safe for them to reopen.

People can still enjoy a walk on the boardwalk but will need to return back the way they have come once they reach the closed off section.

Signage has been placed at both entrances to North Gorge Boardwalk to advise walkers.

Iconic Cleveland pub The Grand View Hotel is finding business success with a local tourism App created by Redland City Council.

Since signing up to offer discount deals and rewards on the Redlands Coast Deals and Rewards App earlier this year, the hotel has attracted day trippers from as far as Ipswich and the Gold Coast.

Mayor Karen Williams said the App was designed to help bolster support for local businesses.

“The App gives residents access to exclusive offers and deals, so they can save money while also helping Redlands Coast business operators,” Cr Williams said.

Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell said it was wonderful to see the App – which is free for businesses to access and gives them total control over their own deals – bring more visitors and customers to Cleveland.

“I encourage local businesses to submit their deals to the App through the Redlands Coast website,” he said.

Mayor Karen Williams and Division 2 Cr Peter Mitchell enjoy a 2-for-1 coffee deal in the lush grounds of the Grand View Hotel with assistant venue manager Nicole Neucom

Grand View Hotel assistant venue manager Nicole Neucom said hundreds of people had claimed the pub’s special main meals deal since they went live on the App earlier this year.

“We had people telling us that they came from North Brisbane for the day, just so they could use the App discount to dine at the Grand View,” Ms Neucom said.

“Other diners who travelled from Ipswich and the Gold Coast said they had decided to visit Redlands Coast after seeing the Grand View Hotel on the App.

“This success definitely took us by surprise, with many more diners taking advantage of last month’s offer than we had expected.”

Ms Neucom said the Grand View had now moved to featuring a two-for-one coffee and cake offer on the App during March and April.

She expected the deal to draw in many of the walkers and cyclists who frequented the area.

Cr Williams said that in addition to the deals and rewards on offer, the Redlands Coast App was a great source of local tourism information, including holiday guides, accommodation listings and tours and attractions.
“Spanning the sparkling waters of southern Moreton Bay to the borders of Brisbane and Logan, Redlands Coast is southeast Queensland’s gateway to a whole new world of coastal discovery,” Cr Williams said.

“Redlands Coast is a city of diverse, naturally wonderful bushland areas, villages, and islands, each with its own personality, adventures and treasures.”

To download the free App visit the Apple App store or get it on Google Play.

Businesses can sign up to the app online at https://www.redlandscoast.com.au/business-deals