Category Archives: Council

Council seeks input on draft Age-friendly Action Plan

January 22, 2021

Redland City Council is inviting the community to have its say on the draft Redlands Coast Age-friendly Action Plan 2021-2026.

Mayor Karen Williams said the draft plan was based on the World Health Organisation’s Age-friendly Cities model that was developed in 2004 as a planning response to population ageing.

“It explores how a city’s landscape, buildings, transport system and housing contribute to mobility, health behaviours, social participation and self-determination of older people,” she said.

“Consultation is an important element of creating an age-friendly community and the next step in Council’s commitment to the creation of environments that enable older Redlands Coast residents to live active and healthy lives.

“We know we have an ageing community and Council is committed to supporting their needs by planning for an age-friendly city.

“In 2016, 17.2 per cent of Redland City’s population was aged 65 years and, by 2041, this is expected to increase to 28.3 per cent.”

Cr Williams said the draft Redlands Coast Age-friendly Action Plan, which was presented at this week’s Council meeting, had its genesis in 2006 when Council’s Ageing Well in the Redlands Strategy 2006-2016 was developed in consultation with the local aged community.

“Council has surveyed older residents who live on both the mainland and island communities to identify their perceptions of living and ageing in Redland City, what they value and barriers to healthy and active ageing,” she said.

“Council also consulted with key community organisations who work with older adults in Redland City.

“The next step is for Council to formally engage the wider community on the draft plan between 22 January and 2 March 2021.”

The draft plan includes eight key themes and highlights actions and key initiatives that Council will undertake over the next five years.

Initiatives proposed in the draft plan include:

Cooperative Research Centre Longevity – to attract investment, testing and trialing of products and services that serve an ageing population
Centre of Excellence in Education for the Ageing
Investment in health services
Multi-purpose community centre
Intergenerational programs
Community transport solutions
Ageing in Place Project – to identify and advance opportunities for older residents on the SMBI to age in place
Increase the amount of shaded seating

For more information and to have your say on the draft Redlands Coast Age-friendly Action Plan 2021-2026, visit Council’s Your Say webpage.

Mayor achieves stop work order on demolition of historic homestead

January 15, 2021

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams has won a reprieve for a local heritage building after Acting Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch agreed to a Stop Work Order on the proposed demolition of a 136-year-old Wellington Point homestead.

Cr Williams wrote to Minister Enoch earlier in the week after being alerted to the potential demolition of the privately-owned building.

“Council had already identified this property as having local heritage value and we are undertaking a City Plan amendment to add it, along with 48 other local properties, to our local heritage register to protect them,” Cr Williams said.

“This process is governed by State legislation and takes time, meaning there is the potential for the property to be demolished in the meantime without any approval being needed from Council.

“Earlier this week I discovered the owners were proposing to demolish the property, prompting me to write to the Minister, asking her to intervene through a stop work order to allow time for other options to be explored.

“I am pleased the Minister has listened to my request, which will now prevent any work which could be detrimental to the property for 60 days.

“Council officers have also contacted the owners to discuss options.”

Cr Williams said Council’s move to list the property on its local heritage register followed a city-wide heritage assessment.

“Council is committed to protecting local heritage and as part of the City Plan we have a local heritage register that protects locally significant heritage places,” she said.

“Recognising local heritage values may exist on properties that are not currently listed, Council recently engaged a heritage consultant to identify and document local heritage values across the city, with this property being one that was identified.

“We will now continue this process to help protect our local heritage.”

Division 1 Councillor Wendy Boglary said adding these properties to Council’s heritage register would help protect the city’s European heritage places.

“Redlands Coast has a rich history and many of these valued heritage places represent the historical themes and periods of Redlands Coast’s post-European history,” she said.

“It is important that we strive to protect them.”

Redland City Council services resume with restrictions

January 11, 2021

Following the State Government’s announcement that the Greater Brisbane COVID-19 lockdown will end at 6pm today, all Redland City Council services will resume tomorrow, Tuesday 12 January 2021, with some conditions to apply.

The three-day lockdown, that included Redland City, Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan and Moreton Bay local government areas, started at 6pm on Friday, causing the closure of all non-essential Council services.

Those services will resume from Tuesday morning, with some restrictions as directed by Queensland Health.

This includes the directive that everyone must carry a face mask at all times and wear it indoors, except in your home, and a recommendation to wear it outdoors if you are unable to stay more than 1.5m from other people, such as on busy walkways and thoroughfares.

Masks must be worn in all Council libraries, art galleries and customer service centres, the Visitor Information Centre, Redland Performing Arts Centre, Redland Animal Shelter and IndigiScapes Centre.

People must also wear masks while travelling on the RACQ Smart Shuttle trial service at Raby Bay.

At Recycling and Waste Centres, patrons must wear a mask if they are unable to maintain a 1.5m distance from staff and other users. All children under 12 must remain in their vehicle.

Patrons are asked to follow the directions of staff, who will monitor any delays and queues and put measures in place to minimise them.

Visitors to the Cleveland Aquatic Centre and the Bay Islands Aquatic Centre on Russell Island must also maintain a 1.5m distance from other people, or wear a mask.

Queensland Health’s requirements for carrying and wearing face masks will continue until 1am on Friday 22 January 2021.

There are also restrictions applying to the number of people who can gather in businesses and venues, with one person per 4 sqm indoors and 2 sqm outdoors.

As a result, programs and workshops scheduled up until 22 January at Redland Art Galleries have been cancelled, and there may be some changes to scheduled activities and programs at council libraries and IndigiScapes Centre.

Under the restrictions, the numbers of diners will need to be reduced at IndigiScapes café and groups of no more than 20 people can gather in public spaces such as Council parks.

Residents and visitors to Redlands Coast are encouraged to continue to practise COVID-safe measures.

For further information about the health directive and the latest health advice, visit health.qld.gov.au

Redlands Local Disaster Management Group on alert

January 8, 2021

Redlands Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) met this afternoon and remains at alert to prepare for the latest COVID-19 threat.

LDMG Chair Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the meeting attended by representatives from Redland City Council, Queensland Health, emergency services, Sealink, Surf Lifesaving Queensland, Department of Communities, and Local Government Association of Queensland.

SeaLink advised that they have extended services operating to and from North Stradbroke Island to help visitors leave the island and return home.

The last SeaLink passenger ferry will leave Cleveland at 7.25pm today and leave Dunwich on North Stradbroke Island at 7.55pm.

SeaLink vehicle and passenger ferry will continue to operate over the next three days, with additional services where required. Check the SeaLink website for details.

The vehicle and passenger ferries to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands will continue on their normal timetables.

LDMG also discussed testing clinics on the islands and mainland, many of which now do not require GP referral, however some fever clinics require prior booking. Eight Miles Plains is a 24/7 testing clinic. Visit the Queensland Government’s Testing and Fever Clinics page for more information.

Those people who have been advised to home quarantine are reminded there is a Queensland Government Community Recovery Hotline (ph 1800 173 349) that can provide assistance including arranging non-contact delivery of essential food and medication if you are in home quarantine with no other means of support.

Council delivers program of innovation for Redland-Logan region

December 18, 2020

Redland City Council is embracing innovation on its journey to becoming a smart city, after successfully delivering the Advancing Regional Innovation Program (ARIP) for the Redland-Logan region.

Council and key partners Logan City Council and Griffith University delivered the three-year program of innovation and entrepreneurship activities after securing funding through the State Government’s Advance Queensland initiative.

Mayor Karen Williams said innovation, with smart cities and digital connectivity as a strategic priority, was at the heart of Redland City Council’s service delivery.

“By embracing new partnerships and technology we can transform the way we deliver services and will be better positioned to adapt and improve how we respond to changes and challenges,” she said.

“This three-year collaboration with our ARIP partners ensures our local innovators are well placed to grow their ideas and their business networks.”

Cr Williams said local ARIP stakeholders embraced innovation as key to economic and jobs growth and improved quality and reach of services.

“There was an education roundtable network of forward-focussed leading schools, TAFE and universities, and focussed youth and ageing summits.

“Council also worked closely with schools, universities and government agencies on emerging sectors, with local businesses and new investors being attracted to Redlands Coast as a place to innovate.

“Groups such as Start Up Redlands and Redlands Angel Investors worked with local start-ups to build knowledge and capabilities within a supportive business environment.

“Council also collaborated with Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce to deliver an innovation workshop series, and events programmed with the State Government Entrepreneur allowed businesses to directly engage through forums and masterclass sessions.”

Cr Williams said COVID-19 had a significant impact on the way the final year of the program was delivered.

“In 2020 the program was refocussed to support businesses to survive the economic impact of the pandemic and better position themselves for recovery.

“Council developed and delivered a targeted community and business grants program which included an innovation stream.

“This encouraged small to medium businesses to innovate either through the application of new technology or new product and supply changes, for example manufacturing PPE and hand sanitiser or offering online courses.”

Cr Williams said Council was building on the ARIP model by embedding its principles into community and economic development programs and internal strategic networks.

“Council is continuing to deliver targeted business support programs through collaboration with government, industry and businesses including the city’s chambers of commerce and the Federal Government’s Regional Development Australia Logan and Redlands committee.

“Council also continues to facilitate industry clusters and deliver innovation forums for the city’s key industry sectors, and to progress research and development collaborations with government and universities to open up new investment opportunities in emerging sectors.

“Council is also finalising a Redlands Coast Smart and Connected City Strategy which aims to create better city services and a higher quality of life so residents and businesses can thrive.

“The strategy will identify opportunities for innovation and technologies to enhance the city’s liveability and promote community wellbeing, and to accelerate growth and stimulate economic opportunities.

“It will also focus on improving environmental sustainability through data-driven decision making, and will ensure a whole-of-Council approach to smart city planning.”

The $1 million Redland-Logan ARIP was funded with $500,000 from the State Government over three years, matched by the ARIP partners.

For more information on the Redland-Logan Region ARIP, visit Council’s website.

Festival fun has begun at Christmas on the Coast

December 17, 2020

Festivities are underway at Council’s Christmas on the Coast festival at Raby Bay Harbour Park.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said yesterday’s successful opening night was the first of five evenings of family fun and entertainment, from 4.30 to 8.30pm daily until 20 December.

“Christmas is being celebrated on the Redlands Coast waterfront this year in a five-day ticketed COVID-safe festival,” Cr Williams said.

“On opening night, crowds enjoyed live stage entertainment headlined by Alexa Curtis, children’s rides and family activities, and boutique markets with food vendors.

Live entertainment was headlined by Alexa Curtis

“The city’s Christmas tree was lit and there was an outdoor screening of PG rated movie A Dennis the Menace Christmas.

“We’ll be lighting the Christmas tree and showing a different Christmas movie each night so no one misses out on the magic.

“In addition to the festival, we’re offering the full Christmas experience with ice-skating on a synthetic rink from 10.30am to 8.30pm throughout the festival period.

Ice-skating fun continues throughout the festival

“Some very excited kids, big and small, have already tested out the rink and reported that it was as fun as it looks!

“The rink is located outside of the festival parameters to allow for separate access to the skating sessions, which can be purchased online.

“It’s time to lighten up after a long and serious year, so I encourage everyone to come down to Raby Bay Harbour Park to bring in the silly season.”

Free kids activities include inflatable jumping castles, Santa photos, roving entertainment, carousel rides and giant games.

Proceeds from event tickets will go towards helping some of the most vulnerable people in our community including local charities such as domestic and family violence support services.

Christmas on the Coast details:

To keep this event COVID-safe, bookings are essential, with numbers restricted to 1500 people each day. Book your tickets now before they sell out.
When: 4.30pm-8.30pm, Wednesday 16 – Sunday 20 December 2020
Where: Raby Bay Harbour Park, Shore Street West, Cleveland
Cost: $5 per person or $15 per family (under 12 free); includes free train travel to and from event
Ice-skating cost (tickets sold separately): $15 day sessions, $10 night sessions
See the full nightly programs and purchase tickets: redland.qld.gov.au/christmas

Amendments to parking laws adopted

December 16, 2020

Redland City Council has adopted amendments to Subordinate Local Law No. 5 (Parking) 2015, bringing the penalty for illegal parking in disability parking spaces in line with that of the State Government.

Mayor Karen Williams said it was important that people who held a disability parking permit could readily access disability parking bays.

“Disability parking bays are bigger than regular car spots and usually located closer to the facilities they service,” Cr Williams said.

“But unfortunately they are not always available to the people who need them when other motorists illegally park there.

“To bring Council’s penalty in line with that of the Queensland Police Service, and act as a deterrent to unauthorised users, the fine will increase from $186 to $533.”

Subordinate Local Law No. 5 (Parking) 2015 will also introduce a regulated parking area for the new Moores Road Car Park in Redland Bay.

Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards said the newly built car park would help deliver equitable parking for Southern Moreton Bay island residents and other commuters using the marina precinct.

“Regulated parking allows for a range of timed parking options to cater for people needing short, medium and longer term parking,” he said.

“The addition of this new car parking area on Moores Road is an integral part of the overall masterplan of the Weinam Creek Priority Development Area (PDA) redevelopment project and will serve as overflow parking while works on the northern side of the creek commence.”

Councillor Williams said the amendment was adopted following a month of community consultation that showed public support for the move.

“Not surprisingly, two thirds of participants who made submissions to Council’s YourSay webpage were from the Southern Moreton Bay islands.

“Eighty-five percent supported the increase in fines for unauthorised parking in disability parking spots, with 55 percent in favour of the introduction of regulated parking at Moores Road.

“Council will advise the community prior to any new regulated parking and associated compliance activities coming into effect at Moores Road, which is anticipated to be when other car parks areas are temporarily closed as the terminal is redeveloped.”

Redland City Council holiday closures 2020

December 9, 2020

All non-essential Redland City Council services will be closed from Christmas Day and will reopen on Monday 4 January 2021.

This includes Customer Service Centres and Council’s Contact Centre.

Library services, Redland Performing Arts Centre, IndigiScapes, Redland Art Gallery, the animal shelter and Visitor Information Centre will also have varied closures over the festive period.

After hours emergency number: 3829 8999

Customer Service Centres

Cleveland and Capalaba close from 4.30pm 24 December 2020 until 8.30am Monday 4 January 2021.

Victoria Point closes from 12pm 24 December 2020 until 9am Monday 4 January 2021.

Council’s Contact Centre (for telephone calls) closes from 5pm 24 December 2020 until 8am Monday 4 January 2021.

Recycling and Waste Centres and collection services

Kerbside waste collections will continue as normal, with Christmas Day kerbside bin collections beginning at 5am (please put bins out the night before).

Recycling and Waste Centres will be closed on Christmas Day only.

Online bin requests submitted after Wednesday 23 December 2020 will be actioned from Monday 4 January 2021.

RecycleWorld at Redland Bay: Last trading day is Tuesday 22 December 2020 and will re-open Tuesday 5 January 2021; usual trading times of 10am – 2pm.

Redlands Coast Visitor Information Centre

Redlands Coast Visitor Information Centre will be closed on Christmas Day only.

Open 7 days a week, 9am – 4pm. Phone 1300 667 386 or go to visitredlandscoast.com.au

Redland Animal Shelter

The animal shelter will be closed on Christmas Day only.

Limited hours apply (9am – 12pm) from Saturday 26 December 2020 until Sunday 3 January 2021.

Library Services

Capalaba, Cleveland and Victoria Point libraries: closed from 12pm Thursday 24 December 2020 until 9am Monday 4 January 2021

Dunwich Library: closed from 12pm Tuesday 22 December 2020 until 9am Tuesday 5 January 2021.

Point Lookout Library: closed from 1pm Wednesday 23 December 2020 until 10am Tuesday 5 January 2021.

Russell Island Library: closed from 12pm Thursday 24 December 2020 until 9.30am Wednesday 7 January 2021.

Amity Point Library: remains closed until further notice.

Mobile Library: last stop will be Wellington Point closing at 12pm Thursday 24 December 2020 and it will reopen at 1.30pm Monday 4 January 2021 at Mount Cotton.

During closures, no items will be due and all after hours return chutes will be closed. The digital library will remain open – visit redland.qld.gov.au/libraries for ebooks, magazines, audiobooks and movies.

Redland Performing Arts Centre

The centre will be closed from 4pm on Thursday 24 December 2020 and reopens at 10am on Monday 11 January 2021.

Tickets can be purchased through the RPAC website during this time.

Redland Art Gallery

The Cleveland gallery will be closed from 4pm on Wednesday 23 December 2020 and reopen at 9am on 4 January 2021.

The Capalaba gallery will be closed from 5pm on Wednesday 23 December 2020 and reopen at 9am on 4 January 2021.

IndigiScapes Centre and Nursery, Capalaba

The IndigiScapes Centre and Nursery will be closed from 4pm on Thursday 24 December 2020 and reopen at 10am on Monday 4 January 2021.

The gardens will be closed during this time, however the walking trails will be open.

The IndigiScapes Café will be open on 24 December from 10am – 12pm, and will then close until 10am on Monday 4 January 2021.

For more information visit redland.qld.gov.au

Council drives message of reconciliation across Redlands Coast

December 3, 2020

Redland City Council is driving its reconciliation message throughout Redlands Coast via a library van sporting an Indigenous artwork.

The wrap artwork, Kanara Malara – One People painted by Quandamooka artist Joshua Walker, forms the visual centrepiece of Council’s internal Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which was launched in August last year.

Mayor Karen Williams said Council was strongly committed to reconciliation both within the organisation and across Redlands Coast.

“The RAP is our first formal internal document setting in place a vision and set of principles to guide us in our reconciliation efforts for the next two years,” she said.

“Importantly it sets realistic actions and gives us timeframes on which to benchmark our achievements.”

Council’s Indigenous Partnerships and Programs Coordinator Brett Nutley, Mayor Karen Williams and CEO Andrew Chesterman.

Cr Williams said the van travelled about 22,000km each year moving the library collection between branches and making home library deliveries to senior residents.

“The wrap on the van is a beautiful reproduction of Joshua Walker’s painting which tells a story of coming together, shared empathy, open discussion, commitment and moving forward,” Cr Williams said.

“We hope that as this vehicle makes its way across Redlands Coast it will spark interest and start conversations around reconciliation.”

Council has also renamed 10 of its meeting rooms to include Jandai dialect. For example, the Peel Room is now called the Teerk Roo Ra – Peel Island room.

“Every step we take, from the Quandamooka Statement of Recognition outside our Cleveland chambers to the ongoing delivery, or sponsorship, of community events moves us further in our reconciliation process,” Cr Williams said.

“Through our RAP we are focussed on better informing our employees of the strong spiritual and cultural connection to the lands, and growing the awareness and knowledge of our Quandamooka People in particular and more generally Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture.

“We see this as a stepping stone to future reconciliation action plans, setting in place a framework for broader external reconciliation activities.”

Council says “Hear Here” to better service for older residents

December 2, 2020

Redland City Council has partnered with Better Hearing Australia (Brisbane) to develop a training program to help local government communicate more effectively with people with hearing loss and older residents.

Mayor Karen Williams said the “Hear Here” e-learning training package would improve seniors’ experience when accessing Council services and venues.

“When Council undertook its Age Friendly City survey in 2018, we found that hearing loss was a significant barrier for older people to participate in our community,” Cr Williams said.

“That was clearly unacceptable, so we set out to fix it by ensuring our frontline service officers were provided with the training and tools they needed to better communicate and help people experiencing hearing loss.

“We know Redlands Coast is an ageing community and Council is committed to doing all we can to ensure they can access the services and initiatives that make our city such a great place to live.”

Cr Williams said the revolutionary training package had recently been successfully trialled in Council’s customer service centre.

“The design and roll out of this training package has been made possible through an exciting partnership with Better Hearing Australia (Brisbane) to develop a specialised training package that will now become part of our corporate training, meaning it will become part of our everyday service to the community,” Cr Williams said.

“It is part of our commitment to becoming a better age-friendly city, where older people and others with hearing loss can be confident that they can engage with Council services effectively. We do not want any resident to feel isolated.

“The training will also be made available to other local governments through the Council on the Ageing Queensland, showing once again that the Redlands Coast is leading the way in creating a more accessible community.”

Better Hearing Australia (Brisbane) business manager Tony Whelan said his organisation was proud to partner with Redland City Council to deliver the Hear Here training program.

“It’s a learning environment that gives participants an understanding of some of the challenges faced by people with hearing loss, practical strategies to overcome those challenges and tools and resources to assist them in their workplace,” he said.

“We believe it sets a real benchmark in hearing loss awareness training.

“Now, in partnership with COTA, we’re encouraging other government authorities in Queensland to implement the Hear Here training module as well.”

Redland City Council News

The latest news from Redland City Council