The Southern Moreton Bay Islands ferry terminals upgrade project has entered the construction phase, with the State Government and Redland City Council announcing a $20 million contract for stage one of the works.

Member for Redlands Kim Richards said marine construction company The Jetty Specialist had been awarded the contract to build and install new ferry terminals on the four islands.

“This is good news for the SMBI communities on Russell, Macleay, Karragarra, and Lamb Islands with the all-important pre-site works set to start,” Ms Richards said.

“When the project is completed, ferry customers will benefit from increased seating, drinking fountains, more waiting areas with better weather protection, and improved security with lighting and 24-hour video recording.

“It will also deliver wider jetties and gangways for improved accessibility.”

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said awarding the tender was a significant project milestone for Redlands Coast creating local jobs and bringing delivery of the new terminals a step closer to fruition.

“This is one of the largest – and possibly the most important – marine infrastructure projects we have seen for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands which will deliver for the community the much-needed ferry terminal upgrades they have been calling for,” Cr Williams said.

“Islanders will finally have modern ferry terminal facilities built for purpose which will serve them for years to come.

“I am particularly pleased that a local company will be part of the contract, with Thornlands-based Aluminium Marine responsible for building significant fit-out work for the ferry terminal pontoons.

“Council and the State Government have worked together to fund and plan this project and islanders played an important role in telling us what they wanted. I know how excited they are now the project has reached this important stage.

“Today’s great news means we are one step closer to helping residents move around our beautiful Redlands Coast faster and safer.”

Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards said he was thankful for the community’s contribution that has helped bring the project to this exciting phase.

“As the project enters its final phase, I would like to thank the community for their invaluable input and support over the years to help deliver the long-awaited ferry terminals,” Cr Edwards said.

The Jetty Specialist is a Queensland family-owned company based on the Sunshine Coast that has delivered marine facilities throughout the state and in the Redlands area.

The Jetty Specialist General Manager of Operations, Dane Morris said the company was proud to be awarded the contract for the SMBI Ferry Terminal Upgrades.

“This is important infrastructure for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands and will benefit the region and support the manufacturing industry in South-East Queensland,” Mr Morris said.

“Our company is looking forward to delivering this high-quality marine infrastructure project in our beautiful backyard.”

Due to the scale of the project with four new terminals, the contract has been split into two packages.

Package one involves sourcing materials and building important components such as pontoons, headstocks, and deck slabs for the fixed jetties and the pontoon piles.

There will also be a new floating walkway for the Macleay Island boat ramp and redesign and construction of existing ferry pontoons for recreational boating and fishing.

The remaining onsite construction of the ferry terminals and all the landside works will be combined into the second contract, due to be awarded late this year.

It is likely works will occur on more than one island at a time.

Locals and visitors will also benefit, with gangways and pontoons repurposed for recreational use.

The project will support an average of 45 direct jobs over the life of the works.

Southern Moreton Bay Islands ferry terminals upgrade project is a jointly-funded $37 million project, with the Queensland Government contributing $22 million and Redland City Council contributing $15 million.

For further information, visit yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au/upgrade-of-smbi-ferry-terminals

For more information on public transport, including changes to ferry terminals and services during construction, visit the TransLink website www.translink.com.au(External link) or phone 13 12 30.

With Willards Farm being a rare and fascinating example of early farming settlement on Redlands Coast, Redland City Council is encouraging the community to consider this agricultural heritage when imagining future uses for Birkdale Community Precinct.

Mayor Karen Williams said Willards Farm was one of the region’s oldest surviving farms and residences.

“The 8,164 square metre property on Old Cleveland Road East at Birkdale was purchased by Council in March 2016,” she said.

“An adjoining 61 hectares was bought by Council in December 2019 after lengthy negotiations with the Commonwealth Government.

“Council effectively saved both properties from potential subdivision and together they now form what we’re currently calling Birkdale Community Precinct.”

Cr Williams said it was likely the homestead, owned initially by James and Margaret Willard, was built in 1876.

“This was when James took out a mortgage on his land,” she said.

“The Willards’ farm originally covered most of this precinct and its commercial origin was in tree clearing.

“It later operated as a dairy farm for many decades; and the original milking sheds and creamery are still standing.

“James Willard conducted a cattle dip (to help protect livestock from ticks) on a part of the site from 1904 and farmers across the area would bring their animals down to be dipped.

“At various stages, the land was used to grow crops such as maize, sweet potatoes and pineapples.”

Council is asking the community for their ideas on possible uses for Birkdale Community Precinct, to help shape a shared multi-generational vision for its future. Could it be home to a water park or an adventure sports precinct with skateboarding and rock climbing facilities? Could the precinct be a hub for interactive history tours, museums or arts venues? Or could it have walking and cycling trails, picnic areas, educational or heritage activities, or some form of paddock-to-plate venture?

Division 10 Councillor Paul Bishop said the importance of the land’s agricultural and rural heritage suggested there was potential to see part of the precinct return to being a working farm.

“It could be used to promote locally grown produce; or as an educational facility around sustainable or regenerative farming practices,” Cr Bishop said.

“We know livestock were used to manage the land for approximately 150 years, so this may provide learning and enterprise opportunities in the future.

“Paddock-to-plate ventures; a home for rural enterprises and ecological innovation; bush food production; perhaps community gardening, permaculture or even farm stays – there are myriad rural-based ideas that would be well suited to this precinct.

“Most importantly, please let Council know: What do you want to see here in future?”

For more information about Council’s community consultation on possible future uses for Birkdale Community Precinct, visit yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au/imagine – 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 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.

Imagine a place on Redlands Coast where families can enjoy a water park, adventure sports, walking and cycling trails, picnic areas, educational and heritage activities, or even paddock-to-plate experiences all in one location.

Mayor Karen Williams said Redlands Coast had a once-in-a generation opportunity to transform more than 62 hectares of community land at Birkdale into a world-class precinct of local, regional and national significance; and was encouraging the community to have their say.

“The Birkdale Community Precinct includes two properties Council saved from housing – the former Commonwealth land at Birkdale and Willards Farm,” Cr Williams said.

“At almost 10 times the size of The Gabba and its surrounding facilities, the precinct has plenty of space for many exciting projects that would enhance lifestyle, create jobs, boost the local economy and bring forward important transport infrastructure.

“Council is also investigating purchasing other nearby land, which could increase the precinct to almost 100 hectares.

“Council worked hard over many years to secure this land for the community, and now we want the community to help shape the vision for its future.”

Cr Williams said the precinct, which had a 25-year horizon, had significant potential to bring forward important transport infrastructure, as well as an adventure sports and aquatic facility including new pool, water park and Olympic standard whitewater course.

“This is a really exciting opportunity to deliver a precinct that rivals anything currently on Redlands Coast or arguably South East Queensland. Think of Brisbane’s South Bank or the Strand at Townsville – it’s time for Redlands Coast to have somewhere like these well-known recreation areas,” she said.

“Much of the land is former farming land, so there are large cleared areas where we can build some really exciting projects for local families.

“But this is about so much more than a new pool and water park, this precinct also has some really important environmental, cultural and historical significance, which will be protected and celebrated.”

Division 10 Councillor Paul Bishop said one of the many interesting historical aspects of the property is the World War II radio receiving station.

“This heritage-listed receiving station is one of south-east Queensland’s most significant World War II sites that still remains largely intact,” Cr Bishop said.

“Constructed by elite US Army radio signalmen and Australian Post Master General (PMG) officers as the Japanese advanced toward Australia in 1942 and then used for top-secret High Frequency radio telecommunications until 2017, its story has been locked away for years.

“Now this project will give the community the chance to learn about this exciting history and decide how it can be celebrated in the future.

“Council has undertaken extensive environmental and cultural studies of the site and is committed to best practice management of environmental and heritage matters of significance.

“We have management plans in place to protect the precinct’s unique values; and now we have an opportunity to help shape a shared vision for the future of this precinct.”

Cr Williams said that to help get the community thinking and imagining what could be possible at the precinct, five top urban design teams were asked to each develop a theme as visual ideas.

“The themes are Education and Discovery; Agriculture and Rural Tradition; Heritage and History; Environment and Ecology; Adventure and Recreation,” she said.

“The designs these experts came up with are not intended to portray what will ultimately be at the precinct, but to help people imagine what its future uses could be and what is actually possible on the land.

“They are intended as springboards into people’s ideas and imaginings.”

To see the expert designers’ ideas plus videos and other information, and to take a virtual tour of the precinct and have your say, visit the Birkdale Community Precinct page at yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au

The community also can visit the precinct during two community open days on Friday and Saturday, 16-17 April.

Also keep watch for other opportunities to have your say at pop-up stalls across Redlands Coast.

Details for the community open days and pop-ups will be advertised ahead of time and published on the Your Say page.

Community consultation will close on Tuesday 4 May, 2021 after which Council will prepare a draft vision for adoption then proceed to master planning.

Redland City Council has installed signs at Thompson’s Beach, Victoria Point and Coochiemudlo Island’s Main Beach to advise residents and visitors of the presence of Lyngbya (Lyngbya majuscula), a naturally occurring, blue-green algae that can cause skin, eye and respiratory irritations if people come into contact with it.

The presence of Lyngbya is not uncommon for the waters of Moreton Bay, and all Redlands Coast beaches and waterways remain open for recreational use.

The signs are precautionary only to inform people of the presence of the material, which often presents as mats floating on the surface of the water or as washed-up clumps on the beach.

Swimming and wading is not recommended where algae is present; and Council urges residents to be mindful that Lyngbya could also be present at any beach.

Council will continue to monitor all Redlands Coast beaches, and will erect signs if Lyngbya is found elsewhere.

More information is available from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection

Redland City Council acknowledges the judgement of the Planning and Environment Court of Queensland, delivered on 11 December 2020, in regard to a development application for a fast food restaurant at Birkdale Fair.

The Court found the application was appropriate in regard to the setting and context of the site, and complied with the overall outcomes and performance outcomes of the relevant codes within Redland City Plan.

Following the judgement, Council will assess the need, if any, for amendments to the planning provisions to overcome any ambiguity in the future.

Redland City Council has today adopted its new corporate plan, Our Future Redlands – A Corporate Plan to 2026 and Beyond.

The plan, which commences on 1 July 2021 and focuses on finding a balance between sustaining the lifestyle enjoyed on Redlands Coast and the community’s desire for a thriving and progressive city, will help inform Council’s operational plan, budget and decision-making over the next five years.

Our Future Redlands also introduces a new city vision – Naturally wonderful lifestyle. Connected communities. Embracing opportunities – and describes seven goals for 2041 that are supported by initiatives and catalyst projects.

Mayor Karen Williams said Our Future Redlands – A Corporate Plan to 2026 and Beyond was a forward-looking document that would help ensure Council decisions over the next five years helped shape a city that met the community’s current needs and future aspirations.

“The new plan will support an enriched and sustainable future for our city and the people who live, work and play here,” she said.

“The community provided input into helping shape our new 2041 vision for Redlands Coast, as well as the seven strategic goals that will be the roadmap to delivering key projects and services.

“The seven goals include city leadership, strong communities, Quandamooka Country, natural environment, liveable neighbourhoods, thriving economy and efficient and effective organisation, with each supported by projects and initiatives that lay the foundations for their achievement.”

Catalyst projects include:

• a Redlands Coast Adventure Precinct to add to the sport and recreation activities in the area
• opportunities to harness new forms of energy from Council’s waste water treatment plants
• investing in active transport through improved cycling and pedestrian facilities
• revitalisation of Cleveland Central Business District
• a Redlands Health and Wellness Precinct
• dual naming way-finding signage that incorporates Quandamooka Jandai language
• a shared vision for Birkdale community land, Willard’s Farm and the Tingalpa Creek Corridor
• a Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island Coastal Walk between Point Lookout and Cylinder Beach

Cr Williams said today’s adoption of the plan followed a six-week community consultation period during which Council delivered a range of engagement activities, including 10 externally-facilitated workshops, an online survey, and advertising in local media to encourage community feedback on the draft plan.

“During the consultation period a total of 3660 people were engaged, with 583 submissions received from predominantly Redlands Coast residents (95 per cent) across all age bands, including those who have historically been difficult to engage, such as under 18-year-olds and 18- to 25-year-olds,” she said.

“Respondents were deeply engaged, with more than half choosing to complete a long survey and provide detailed feedback to open response questions about the vision and each section of the plan.

“Analysis of our community’s feedback revealed some common themes that were addressed by changes to the draft plan, including adding a Quandamooka Country section, outlining key performance indicators for each strategic theme and changing the wording of the city vision.

“The plan Council adopted today reflects our community’s views and will help guide us to a city that is fit for purpose, where future generations experience the environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits of calling Redlands Coast home.”

Our Future Redlands – A Corporate Plan to 2026 and Beyond is available on Council’s website.

Following the success of the Redlands Coast Smart Mobility Trial on Karragarra Island, Redland City Council has again partnered with RACQ for a second phase of the trial, to be held at Raby Bay, Cleveland.

The trial’s first phase saw the RACQ Smart Shuttle in use on the island from November 2019 to May 2020 in Queensland’s first long-term, on-road trial of the autonomous vehicle technology.

The small, driverless bus has a maximum speed of 20km/h, sophisticated sensors for navigation, and detection lasers to identify obstacles within 40 metres before stopping safely or slowing as needed.

Mayor Karen Williams said Karragarra Island had been the perfect site for the Queensland-first test of how an autonomous vehicle would perform in a live traffic environment.

“As a city of islands with rural and urban communities, we know Redlands Coast faces a number of transport challenges; and by partnering with RACQ in these trials, Council has demonstrated its commitment to finding innovative ways to help our residents overcome these challenges,” she said.

“Over the course of the island trial, more than 850 passengers experienced the potential of autonomous vehicle technology, with the bus travelling more than 1400 kilometres.

“At all times, it was staffed by a human operator who could take control if necessary.

“Now the technology will soon be trialled in the Raby Bay area of Cleveland and we are delighted to again be partnering with RACQ for the trial’s second phase, with the commencement date to be advised but we anticipate it starting in late November.”

Cr Williams said the trial would connect Raby Bay Harbour with Raby Bay Foreshore Park – two popular destinations not currently serviced by public transport.

“The harbour is just a short walk from existing bus and train services, and this trial area will test the driverless technology in a more complex traffic environment while allowing us to see and assess how it works in an integrated transport network,” she said.

“These ground-breaking trials on Redlands Coast will also be used to investigate other applications for the autonomous vehicle and to lobby for greater adoption of innovative transport across the State.”

Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell said he was pleased to know the trial would be operating in Cleveland.

“This trial will add to the invaluable data Council has already collected from the trial on Karragarra Island,” he said.

“This is as much about research as it is about transport, with it to provide information on practical uses of the technology, not only on Redlands Coast but also across Queensland and even nationwide.”

RACQ Head of Public Policy Rebecca Michael said the shuttle was an opportunity for Raby Bay locals to test the future of public transport.

“Autonomous vehicles will change the way we move in the future and we’re very excited that the Redlands Coast community gets to be front and centre of this ground-breaking trial and gets to test out the innovative technology now,” Dr Michael said.

“Once the trial begins, members of the community will be able to ride the shuttle for free and we’ll gather feedback on their experience and thoughts on the technology, so we can ensure current and future trials positively impact Queenslander lives.”

More information about phase two of the Redlands Coast Smart Mobility Trial can be found on Council’s Your Say website.

Redland City Council has established self-service sandbagging stations across the city as heavy rainfall continues to develop.

The sandbagging stations will be open at the following times and locations:

Cleveland

• South Street Depot – from 7am – 6pm on Wednesday 28 October and Thursday 29 October. From 7am to 12pm on Friday 30 October. Closed on the weekend (weather permitting). Council staff will be onsite to assist. Sand, bags and shovels will be supplied.

North Stradbroke Island

• Outside the Council Depot on Mitchell Crescent, Dunwich – open all hours. Sand and bags supplied; please take your own shovel.

Russell Island

• Outside the Council Depot on Cambridge Road – open all hours. Sand and bags supplied; please take your own shovel.

Macleay Island

• Outside the Council Depot on Scarborough Terrace – open all hours. Sand and bags supplied; please take your own shovel.

Residents are permitted a maximum of six sand bags per household.

Please note: enclosed shoes must be worn.

Council reminds residents to check gutters are clear and to secure loose items around the home.

For the latest advice and emergency warnings:

• Tune in to 612ABC
• Bay FM 100.3
• Monitor Council’s Disaster Dashboard
• Follow Redland City Council on Facebookand Twitter