Get set for exciting new play experiences at neighbourhood parks in Wellington Point and Ormiston, just in time for Easter school holidays.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said playground upgrades at Plantation Place Park at Wellington Point and Raby Esplanade Park at Ormiston have seen $355,000 and $184,000 upgrades respectively, with the addition of exciting bike and scooter play features at both parks.

“These upgrades are part of a budgeted program of approximately $13.8 million to improve popular parks and sports fields across Redlands Coast,” Cr Williams said.

“We expect families and bike and scooter riders to thoroughly enjoy the ‘real road feel’ of the fantastic new play elements opening for school holidays.

“I’m delighted to see these novel upgrades, from which local communities will benefit for years to come.”

Fun at Raby Bay Esplanade Park, Ormiston: Sean and Nabilah with children Cameron and Sienna

Division 1 Councillor Wendy Boglary said the parks would likely become popular with locals and visitors as places to learn to ride as well as to build road awareness and cycling confidence.

“At Plantation Place there’s an exciting mini-cycle precinct with road signs, a zebra crossing, play train station, small bicycle slalom, mini scooter and bike ramps and corrugations,” she said.

“It’s what parents said they wanted during my community consultation and takes me back to the facility where I learned to ride my bike as a girl.

“This is complemented by a bright new play unit with climbing elements, a slide and a swing.

“At Raby Esplanade, last year’s major playground upgrade is now accompanied by a 200m long circuit that builds on the community’s traditional use of the park as a place for riding bikes and scooters.

“I can see families loving the new features, which include jumps, traffic signs, road markings, turning lanes, roundabouts, ditch rides, rest stops, speed humps and more.

“I invite all Redlands Coast families to explore all these parks have to offer over the Easter school holidays.”

ENDS

Redland City Council has formally committed to being part of a 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games proposal.

At a special meeting today, Councillors agreed to enter into the required contractual framework to offer Redlands Coast’s support as a Games venue and Games Partner.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the agreements, which will also be considered by other South-East Queensland councils, were vital for Brisbane to progress its Olympic proposal after being announced as ‘preferred host’ for Targeted Dialogue on February 24.

“This decision allows Brisbane as preferred host to formally show they have our commitment to support the Games through the use of venues and public services,” Cr Williams said.

“We have been on this journey with Brisbane and other South-East Queensland councils from the beginning because we see a potential Olympics and Paralympic Games as a catalyst to deliver the infrastructure, including public transport infrastructure, our community needs.

“Being a Games partner has the potential to deliver significant legacies for our community and today’s decision is an exciting step towards locking in the Games and the many benefits they will bring our city and region.”

Cr Williams said that while there was still a lot to work through, bringing the Olympics and Paralympics to the region would provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity, with a Redlands Coast white-water centre included as a potential venue for Olympic canoe slalom events.

“Redland City Council is committed to delivering a water-based venue that creates a lasting community legacy, regardless of an Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Cr Williams said.

“We want to create a Redlands Coast Adventure Sports Precinct which includes a regional aquatic centre with adventure sports, water play equipment and an Olympic-standard white-water course.

“The course could be an ideal venue for canoe slalom events for a 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, as well as being able to be used for other international, national and state competitions and emergency services training.

“It would also deliver important benefits in a post-COVID economy, with economic studies suggesting it could potentially create 152 jobs and contribute $52 million annually to the local economy while helping to deliver much-needed transport infrastructure.

“The Games would provide a rare and exciting opportunity to deliver something that enhances community lifestyle and recreational opportunities.

“A sustainable legacy must be part of any Olympics proposal and this certainly aces that requirement.”

Cr Williams said potential sites for a future Redlands Coast white-water centre were still to be determined.

“Council’s commitment to a Brisbane Games bid recognises the enormous potential for Redlands Coast and its residents, particularly in light of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and our efforts to recover from the crisis,” Cr Williams said.

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.

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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.

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