Category Archives: Council

Stimulus funding spans replacement of pedestrian bridges


July 23, 2021

Two Redlands Coast pedestrian bridges will be replaced through $1.3 million in program funding.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the replacement of the Anita Street pedestrian bridge at Redland Bay and the Fellmonger Park pedestrian bridge at Ormiston, would be funded through the second phase of the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program.

Cr Williams said the 41.5m Anita Street bridge spanned Redland Bay’s Moogurrapum Creek, linking the eastern end of the street with the Pinelands Circuit Park and on to North Street.

Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards and Division 6 Councillor Julie Talty said it was an important link between their divisions for pedestrians and cyclists.

Cr Edwards said that earlier this year a supporting beam on the bridge had to be replaced.

It was decided due to the state of some of the other bearers that it would be more cost effective to do a full replacement, Cr Talty said.

Division 1 Councillor Wendy Boglary said the Fellmonger Park bridge spanned Hilliards Creek and linked Hilliards Park Drive to Old Cleveland Road East in Ormiston. A 150mm high-pressure water pipeline is suspended from the substructure of the bridge.

“It was also considered more cost effective to replace this bridge rather than doing ongoing repairs,” Cr Boglary said.

Cr Williams said work on both bridges was scheduled to start in August and continue to December, subject to weather conditions.

“These projects are part of more than $5.3 million being invested in community infrastructure in Redlands Coast under phase 2 of the LRCI program this year,” she said.

“$800,000 was allocated for the Anita Street bridge and $500,000 for the Fellmonger Park bridge.

“Issued by the Australian Government, this is stimulus funding aimed at helping councils and their communities bounce back from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is above and beyond Redland City Council’s own stimulus spending, so it is a very welcome boost to the local economy and the creation of jobs.

“Wherever possible we will be using local businesses and suppliers on these works.”

The Australian Government has committed $5.3 million to works in Redlands City under the LRCI Program Phase 2.

 

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Games come to Redlands Coast in 2032


July 21, 2021

The Olympics are coming to Redlands Coast in 2032.

With Brisbane being named as host city for the Games of the XXXV Olympiad, Redland City Mayor Karen Williams confirmed Redlands Coast would be an event venue city for the Canoe Slalom events at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“This is a fantastic opportunity, not only for locals to enjoy the spectacle and excitement of a Games event right in our city’s backyard, but also to showcase our wonderful Redlands Coast to the world,” Cr Williams said.

“A purpose-built Olympic-standard Redland Whitewater Centre to host the canoe slalom events is part of the integrated Redlands Coast Adventure Sports Precinct for which Birkdale Community Precinct on Old Cleveland Road East, Birkdale, is the preferred site.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced in Tokyo tonight that Brisbane had been selected to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Cr Williams said what was even more exciting about the whitewater venue is that it would be a legacy facility for generations to come.

“There is ample land for such a facility to be accompanied by other uses without having to impact the site’s important environmental and cultural values. Its overall legacy opportunities are compelling,” she said.

“Subject to vision development and master planning, the location for the Redland Whitewater Centre within the precinct is likely to be the area proximate to the vacant cleared land to the precinct’s northern corner, given the known values of the land and the opportunities it presents.

“Council will soon be able to share with the community the Vision for the Birkdale Community Precinct, which will capture and integrate the aspirations and ideas of the community as expressed through the recent community engagement.

“It is a large precinct that has space for many exciting projects that would enhance lifestyle and benefit communities and economies. The Redland Whitewater Centre, which has a small footprint and will be on already cleared land, would be just one of several community ventures and activities that the 62-hectare site could accommodate.”

Cr Williams said similar Olympic facilities elsewhere had demonstrated substantial local community and economic benefits, including during construction and for ongoing operation.

“It will bring forward important transport infrastructure, in particular, the much-needed duplication of the Cleveland railway line and the completion of the Eastern Busway to Capalaba,” Cr Williams said.

“The Redlands Coast Adventure Sports Precinct is identified as a catalyst project in Our Redlands – A Corporate Plan to 2026 and Beyond.

“It is anticipated that about 150 jobs could be sustained through the building and delivery of the adventure sports precinct, with an annual contribution of $52 million to the local economy.

“It also has significant opportunities to be used as a swift-water rescue training facility for emergency services.”

Australian Olympic Team paddler Jessica Fox who will compete in the Canoe Slalom events in Tokyo said the 2032 Olympics decision was an “amazing opportunity”.

“We all know the impact the Sydney Olympics had on all of us, on sport in Australia, the general public, so to see it come home would be amazing.  It’s something the kids, watching the Olympics today, could look forward to in a few years’ time,” the three-time Olympian said from the athletes’ village in Tokyo.

“It’s incredible to think of a new whitewater venue in Redlands Coast. It would be amazing for the sport, for the community, tourism and for the general public wanting to try something new.

“We’ve seen the impact Penrith (Whitewater Stadium in NSW) has had on us and our sport and to have another world class venue in Australia would be incredible.

“We see this venue here (in Tokyo) and it would just be amazing to have that back home in Redlands Coast.”

Fellow Australian team member at the Tokyo Olympics, Russell Island-raised sailor Mara Stransky said Brisbane’s selection for 2032 was “fantastic for Australian sport in so many ways”.

“It’s the 8-year-old of today who we can be really proud of when the Olympics come here,” she said.

Stransky, 22, who will compete in the Laser Radial class in Tokyo, said an Olympics whitewater centre in Redlands Coast would be a great asset for the city.

Cr Williams said Redlands Coast residents had the chance to cheer on the Australian Olympic team in Tokyo during the Olympics Live free event to be held in Cleveland from this Saturday (24 July).

“There will be a large LED screen set up in Bloomfield Street Park broadcasting all of the excitement and achievements from the Tokyo Olympics live,” she said.

Olympics Live Presented by Westpac Redlands Coast at Bloomfield Street Park, Cleveland, will operate from 10am to 4pm, Saturday 24 July to Friday 30 July.

Cr Williams said the Council of Mayors (SEQ), which has been instrumental in the Brisbane 2032 proposal, had good reason to celebrate their success.

“The Games are predicted to deliver some $8.1 billion in economic and social benefits for Queensland, and $17.6 billion nationally,” Cr Williams said.

For more Olympics information, go to redland.qld.gov.au/olympics

What exactly is the event that Redlands Coast will host in 2032?

The sport of canoe slalom, in which competitors in canoes and kayaks navigate a series of whitewater rapid challenges, was modelled from ski slalom and began in Switzerland in 1932. In its early days, it was first performed on flat water but later switched to whitewater rapids. In canoe slalom the boats are small, light and agile, allowing for greater manoeuvrability through rapids.

Canoe slalom made its debut at the 1972 Munich Games. Slalom racing was not competed again in the Olympic Games until the 1992 Barcelona Games. Canoe slalom racers compete in four events, three for men and one for women, over the same course.

 

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Council aims to deliver savings through new Corporate Procurement Policy


July 21, 2021

Redland City Council has formally adopted its new Corporate Procurement Policy aimed at saving money and supporting local businesses through better purchasing and project delivery processes.

Mayor Karen Williams said the policy was a continuing initiative which set out Council’s framework for procurement and contracting.

“The new Corporate Procurement Policy streamlines our internal authorising processes and ensures the efficient and timely delivery of Council’s capital works, operational and service delivery programs,” she said.

“It continues our strategic approach to procurement, which needs to be agile in response to 18 months of COVID-19 disruptions, including increased demand in the building industry and disruptions in supply of mechanical and computer equipment.

“The policy also aims to support opportunities for local businesses.”

Cr Williams said Council spent about $140 million through its procurement activity each year on goods, services and work.

“Over the past six to 18 months Council has transitioned its procurement activity to use legislated Strategic Contracting Procedures,” she said.

“This model allows us to negotiate bulk buying rates and research into innovative and continuous improvement initiatives, which is particularly relevant as Council supports the broader community and economic response and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Cr Williams said that, by adopting the policy, Council had also supported an increase in the CEO contract delegation from $2 million to $10 million.

“This increase is considered reasonable given the CEO, on behalf of Council, is responsible for managing $2.88 billion in assets and delivering a budget of $327 million this financial year.

“It will also facilitate bundled and bulk buying contracts while streamlining approval processes, ultimately strengthening our focus on community services.”

At today’s general meeting, Council also adopted its Annual Contracting Plan 2021-22, which details the goods, services and work to be procured and the disposal of assets by Council consistent with its budget.

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Council services to reopen following COVID-19 lockdown


July 2, 2021

Redland City Council services will reopen under COVID-safe conditions when a three-day lockdown ends for the city at 6pm today.

The Queensland Government today announced the end of lockdown for most south-east Queensland local government areas, including Redland City, as well as Townsville and Palm Island.

However, the lockdown has been extended in Brisbane City and Moreton Bay local government areas until 6pm tomorrow, Saturday 3 July.

This comes after three new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 were detected across the State, including two in Carindale.

Redland City Council services and facilities to reopen tomorrow, under COVID-safe conditions, include the city’s Libraries, IndigiScapes Centre, Animal Shelter, Visitor Information Centre, community halls and Cleveland Aquatic Centre.

Redlands Coast Art Galleries and Redland Performing Arts Centre will however remain closed over the weekend, reopening on Monday 5 July.

Council customer service centres at Capalaba and Victoria Point also will reopen on Monday.

Unfortunately, the NAIDOC Week Cultural Celebration set for Sunday 4 July at Raby Bay Harbour Park has been postponed.

While the lockdown has been lifted in Redland City, some restrictions remain in place for a further two weeks when they will be reviewed by the State Government.

This includes:

  • You must carry a face mask with you at all times whenever you leave your home unless you have a lawful reason not to. Masks must be worn in indoor spaces or where physically distancing isn’t possible.
  • You must be seated when eating or drinking at a café or restaurant and for all indoor settings only 1 person per 4 square metres is allowed.
  • Private gatherings are restricted to 30 people, and up to 100 people can attend weddings and funerals. Only 20 people can dance at weddings.

 Further information

The Queensland Government is the lead agency in managing the public health response to COVID-19. The latest health directives, COVID-19 testing information and vaccination updates are available at health.qld.gov.au

 

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Redlands Coast budget delivers for community


June 24, 2021

Redland City Council has adopted a $327 million budget for 2021-22 that focusses on caring for and improving vital community assets while keeping rates rises to a minimum.

The budget, which matches last year’s record spend, includes a $70 million-plus capital investment in the city that features key inter-generational projects to help Redlands Coast’s continued recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Karen Williams said the budget was a responsible and back-to-basics approach to meeting residents’ immediate needs while also ensuring their future aspirations could be realised.

“This budget will support our continued recovery from the challenges of COVID-19 by underpinning local employment through significant investment in the type of projects and infrastructure that will help to grow our economy, support jobs and further improve the lifestyle that residents enjoy,” Cr Williams said.

“Councillors have been mindful of the need for a firm focus on asset management and taking care of what we already have, while acknowledging the opportunities that can come from significant inter-generational projects such as the Birkdale Community Precinct and Redlands Coast Sports and Recreation Precinct.

“We are doing this while maintaining a strong balance sheet despite the multi-million-dollar hit from COVID and increased State Government bulk water charges, ensuring the increase in general rates is kept to an average 1.7 per cent – or about 44 cents a week for a typical category 1a, owner-occupied property, excluding separate charges, utilities and State Government charges.

“We will continue to spend locally wherever appropriate to help stimulate the economy and provide local jobs.”

Cr Williams said the projected $70 million capital budget was heavily targeted at maintaining and improving lifestyle assets.

“Developing our open spaces and sports fields, along with improving facilities in our parks, is front and foremost,” she said.

“This includes advancing projects such as the Birkdale Community Precinct and the Sport and Recreation Precinct.

“Both are defining catalyst projects for this city that we have committed to in our Corporate Plan and which will bring benefits well into the future.

“We will look to take advantage of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s expectation that record low interest rates will continue and, where appropriate, borrow for economy-boosting projects such as these, while maintaining our cash balances above borrowing levels.

“In the meantime, $3.5 million has been allocated to progress the Redlands Coast Sport and Recreation Precinct project at Heinemann Road, Mount Cotton and more than $1 million to fund the next stage of the exciting Birkdale Community Precinct.

“There is also $3 million for the continued redevelopment of Redland Bay’s Weinam Creek transport hub, which will become a real focal point for southern Redlands Coast.

“Our program of enhancing our outdoors assets continues, with another $7 million for local parks and streetscapes, taking the spend in the past two years to around $20 million.”

Cr Williams said $25 million would be directed to road and transport networks.

“This includes $10.8 million to continue the vital Wellington Street upgrade and another $2 million for green sealing Southern Moreton Bay Island roads,” she said.

Council has also restructured the way it funds environmental management with a new Environment and Coastal Management Separate Charge replacing the Environment Separate Charge to help cover the cost of caring for the city’s 335km of coastline and other waterfront.

“This recognises the broader responsibilities that we have as a coastal city,” Cr Williams said.

“For less than $3 a week, the charge will help ensure we keep Redlands Coast naturally wonderful by supporting initiatives such as shoreline erosion management and our Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy, as well as continuing our vital environmental programs.”

Cr Williams said increases in water, waste, utility and other charges reflected the increased costs faced by Council in providing the essential services, including major sewerage and waste water treatment works.

“We need to spend $13 million this financial year on essential water, waste and wastewater projects alone to ensure we maintain our high standard of service delivery,” Cr Williams said.

“The bottom line hasn’t been helped by yet another increase in the State Government’s bulk water price, which has gone up another 3.5 per cent after years of big rises to have more than doubled since 2012, and increases in areas such as the cost or recycling.

“At the same time councils have a legislative requirement that pricing for these essential services is established by considering the full cost of a commercial business.

“However, we have still been able to provide total pensioner rates and utilities rebates of almost $3.5 million, with rates rebates at $335 a year for a full pensioner and $167.50 for a part-pensioner.

“In the meantime, Council will be stepping up its efforts to attract further funding from the State and Federal governments to take pressure off ratepayers.”

The 2021-22 budget at a glance:

  • $327 million investment in Redlands Coast, matching last year’s investment
  • An increase in general rates revenue of 1.7 per cent, or about 44 cents a week, for a typical category 1a, owner-occupied property, excluding separate charges, utilities and State Government charges
  • Small budgeted operating surplus
  • Capital expenditure of more than $70 million
  • Total pensioner rebates of almost $3.5 million, with rates rebates of $335 a year for a full pensioner or $167.50 for a part-pensioner.
  • A new annual Environment and Coastal Management Separate Charge of $148.92 (replacing the previous Environment Management Separate Charge) to also cover coastal management.

Capital expenditure program at a glance:

  • $25 million for transport, roads and traffic projects
  • $13 million for water, waste and wastewater projects
  • $8 million for other capital works projects, including $2 million for land acquisitions
  • $8 million for marine and foreshore projects, including canal and breakwater works
  • $8 million for infrastructure projects such as transport, buildings and stormwater
  • $7 million for parks, open space and conservation
  • $ 1 million for community and cultural development

Visit our website at redland.qld.gov.au/budget for more budget information.

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Investing in Redlands Coast’s naturally wonderful lifestyle


June 24, 2021

Enhancing Redlands Coast’s recreational and sporting opportunities will be a key focus for Redland City Council through 2021-22.

Today’s budget provides for significant investment in major inter-generational projects, such as the much anticipated Birkdale Community Precinct and Redlands Coast Sport and Recreational Precinct, while also ensuring popular existing community spaces are well cared for.

Mayor Karen Williams said the budget supported Council’s long-term vision to make Redlands Coast an exceptional place to live and play, building on a multi-million-dollar program of park, playground and sports facility upgrades across the city in recent years.

“The budget includes more than $1 million for progressing the very exciting Birkdale Community Precinct, including the historic Willard’s Farm restoration, as well as $3.5 million for the Redlands Coast Regional Sport and Recreation Precinct on Heinemann Road – both projects which will have immense benefits for residents well into the future,” Cr Williams said.

“We have also put aside $2 million to allow us to move swiftly should more strategic land for the community become available, continuing our strategy of bringing important sites back into community ownership.

“In recent years we have invested about $29 million to bring more than 360ha into community ownership for conservation and community use.

“Our focus also remains very much on caring for what we already have, with more than $7 million earmarked for renewing and improving popular community parks and sports fields alone.

“This takes the total spend in the past two years past $20 million.

“There’s $1.1 million for the major renewal of one of Redlands Coast’s best loved bayside spaces, Thorneside’s Beth Boyd Park, later in the financial year, plus significant allocations for Cleveland’s William Ross Park, Redland Bay’s Penrose Avenue Park and Victoria Point’s Parklands Court Park.

“These are just some of the parks across the city to benefit.

“We will also spend more than $40 million running and maintaining the 300-plus parks and civic open spaces that we have, including caring for more than 30,000 assets areas ranging from play equipment and exercise equipment to park furniture, as well as managing about 10,000ha of conservation areas.

“Mowing alone is a massive undertaking, with multiple mows of our parks, sports fields, roads and public utility land totalling 19,000ha – an area the size of Moreton Island – keeping our crews very busy.

“That alone is projected to cost more than $3.4 million this financial year.”

Major investments in open space

  • Redlands Coast Sport and Recreation Precinct, Heinemann Road, $3.5 million
  • Land acquisition $2 million
  • Beth Boyd Park, Thorneside, $1.1 million
  • Birkdale Community Precinct $1 million
  • William Ross Park, Cleveland, $606,000

Visit our website at redland.qld.gov.au/budget for more budget information.

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Funding boost for Redlands Coast environment


June 24, 2021

Redland City Council’s broader-ranging Environment and Coastal Management Separate Charge will fund a $1.7 million investment in the city’s beaches, foreshores and waterways in 2021-2022 as part of a suite of major environmental and conservation programs and initiatives.

The new Environment and Coastal Management Separate Charge, adopted today as part of Redland City Council’s annual budget, recognises Council’s increasing responsibilities as a coastal city.

Mayor Karen Williams said the charge, which replaced the Environment Separate Charge, would significantly extend Council’s ability to care for the local environment.

“The change reflects how much our community values our naturally wonderful areas and lifestyle, especially our beaches, foreshores and waterways,” Cr Williams said.

“For less than $3 a week, it will help support Redlands Coast’s stunning coastal assets, including initiatives such as shoreline erosion management and our Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy, as well as continuing our vital environmental programs. The key change is that it will now help cover the cost of caring for our 335 km of coastline and other waterways, which would otherwise have to be paid for through rates.

“This is projected to cost $1.7 million this year as part of an environmental and conservation effort to cost almost $11 million. It ensures we put away the funds needed to protect, manage and enhance our island and mainland coasts and waterways, including koala habitat, while we continue to support our broader conservation and environmental work.”

The charge will also fund operational and capital projects, including:

  • Bushland and fire management
  • Foreshore and catchment rehabilitation and maintenance
  • Track and trail maintenance and repairs
  • Environmental education
  • Koala habitat restoration
  • Managing impacts of climate change
  • Delivering the Redlands Coast Biosecurity Plan and Redlands Coast Bay and Creeks Plan
  • Prioritising works under the Coastal Hazard Adaption Strategy and Shoreline Erosion Management Plan

“This new approach helps us to do what the community wants us to do while getting the best value for money we can,” Cr Williams said.

Visit our website at redland.qld.gov.au/budget for more budget information.

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Redlands Coast island infrastructure boost


June 24, 2021

Redlands Coast’s Southern Moreton Bay Island (SMBI) communities will benefit from more than $4 million in major transport infrastructure spending in the 2021-22 Redland City Council budget.

Mayor Karen Williams said the allocations were headlined by further significant investment in the SMBI ferry terminal project, with $2.8 million allocated to the Macleay Island ferry terminal.

“Another almost $1.4 million will go towards works at the Macleay, Russell, Lamb and Karragarra island commuter interchanges as part of our program to make it easier for residents and visitors to commute and travel to and from the islands,” Cr Williams said.

Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards said $2 million had also been allocated to green sealing island roads, which would bring the total spend on green sealing island roads to more than $17 million since 2014.

“Priority will be given to areas that currently have high maintenance costs,” Cr Edwards said.

“On Macleay Island, 24km of sealing has been completed with the remaining 11km of unsealed roads expected to be sealed in the next few years, depending on budget.

“There is still 45km to be done on Russell Island, which has a larger network of roads than the rest of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands combined, with 25km completed so far.

“Green sealing work is close to being completed on both Lamb and Karragarra islands, with almost 60km done across the four islands.

“Along with the massive ferry terminal project, we see these road improvements as vital to the islands’ futures.”

Other major island spends include $718,000 for Russell Island’s Rocky Point seawall, $198,000 for drainage works at Lamb Island’s tennis courts and $29,000 for the Bay Islands Memorial Garden on Russell Island.

Fire mitigation on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands will account for another $590,000, with $197,000 set aside for work on North Stradbroke Island, including prescribed burns, construction of fire access trails and fuel reduction works.

More than $375,000 has also been allocated from the new Environment and Coastal Management Separate Charge for shoreline erosion management at Amity Point, on North Stradbroke Island, including beach nourishment and further research into issues identified in the Amity Point Shoreline Erosion Management Plan.

Council will also conduct a foreshore survey on Coochiemudlo Island to monitor changes over time as recommended by the island’s Shoreline Erosion Management Plan.

Visit our website at redland.qld.gov.au/budget for more budget information.

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Putting a lid on household recycling contamination


June 11, 2021

“Keep it loose and clean. Don’t bag your recycling.”

These are the simple takeaways Redland City Mayor Karen Williams is urging residents to remember as part of a Council campaign to crush a worrying rise in recycling contamination.

“Just five types of materials can be recycled kerbside – paper, cardboard, glass jars and bottles, aluminium and steel cans and firm plastic containers and bottles,” Cr Williams said.

“But we are seeing a lot of other items in yellow-top bins, items that contaminate the load and waste our good efforts.

“The average rate for recycling contamination on the Redlands Coast had been going up since 2018, from 8 per cent to 11 per cent last year, and tracking at a disturbing average of 12.4 per cent in 2021.

Cr Williams said while she applauded residents for their enthusiastic recycling, meeting recycling targets meant more than shifting items from our general waste wheelie bin to the household recycling or green waste bin.

“The right materials need to go in the right bins,” she said.

“When a yellow-top wheelie bin has too much non-recyclable material – or contamination – it decreases the quality of recyclable materials and makes it harder for the good quality products to be extracted in the sorting equipment.

“As well as being a waste of renewable resources, this has the potential to increase Council’s, and therefore ratepayers’, waste management costs as the contaminated recycling may have to be taken to landfill.

“Household recycling is a commercial activity that Council pays for and when the quality decreases the processing costs increase.

“We do not want to reach the point where excess contamination costs may need to be passed on to ratepayers.

“That’s why we’re appealing to residents to not only recycle, but recycle right.”

Cr Williams said getting recycling right was not always easy but was something the council and community needed to work on together.

“With hundreds of recycling labels out there, it can be confusing and even recycling gurus can get it wrong,” she said.

“But the good news is that Australia and New Zealand have rolled out a new labelling information system for food packaging, called the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL), which, hopefully, will end this confusion.

“Planet Ark has run a “Check it! Before You Chuck It national campaign to raise awareness about the new labels, which it says provides easy-to-understand recycling information when you need it most.”

Cr Williams urged residents to check the labels and learn more about what items are okay to put in the yellow bins.

“If you’re unsure about an item, check Council’s online A-Z of waste recycling .”

CONTAMINATING MISTAKES TO AVOID

The main offenders:

  • Bagged items – residents should not place recycling into a kitchen tidy bag or garbage bag or place general waste in the recycling bin
  • Soft plastics items such as bread bags, cereal box liners, pasta packets, chip packets, frozen veggie packets etc can only be recycled if taken to a specialised recycling collection point, such as the ones available in major supermarkets.
  • Soft plastics cannot be processed through Council’s recycling facility and therefore cannot be placed in kerbside recycling.
  • Bubble wrap
  • Food scraps – including excess food in containers. Containers do not need to be fully rinsed before being placed in your recycling bin.
  • Clothing / materials
  • Polystyrene
  • Plastic toys.

 

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Community feedback to inform vision for Birkdale Community Precinct


May 27, 2021

Redland City Council today voted to develop a vision for Birkdale Community Precinct, based on a huge response from the community.

Mayor Karen Williams thanked the community for having its say on ideas for the 62ha site, including younger residents who Council heard from in greater proportion than it usually does for Council engagements.

“We heard from all age groups, saw some 3,000 people visit the site for open days; had more than 25,000 interactions online; 1600 surveys completed; about 700 people attending pop-ups across the city; and held a series of ideas forums involving school students, youth groups and interested stakeholders, community groups and organisations,” Cr Williams said.

“The community engagement has provided a clear, well-rounded picture of what the community wants and expects for the transformation of the site, which will be a project spanning 25 years.”

The vision will incorporate five core themes into a future community-use precinct: environment/ecology; adventure/recreation; heritage/history; education/discovery; and agriculture/rural tradition.

Cr Williams said the core themes would be the building blocks for a world-class precinct that would serve Redlands Coast for generations to come.

“We received a strong response to our call for people to tell us what they wanted to see as part of what is one of the most exciting projects ever proposed on Redlands Coast,” she said.

“The community told us they wanted picnic facilities, cycling and walking paths and circuits, access to Tingalpa Creek and natural areas, café and dining areas, community markets, camping and overnight stays, an amphitheatre and performance spaces, education and training facilities, paddock to plate, wildlife tourism and night walks.

“They supported the concept of a Redlands Coast Adventure Sports Precinct – including an Olympic-standard pool, Olympic-standard canoe slalom whitewater facility that could serve as a venue should Brisbane be selected as host of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, water play and adventure sports facilities.

“They also saw preserving the natural environment and our heritage as priorities.

“I thank the thousands of people who participated in the consultation for their invaluable submissions. This feedback has, and will continue to be, of enormous assistance in guiding us during the planning stages.”

Cr Williams said Council would continue to consult the community in the development of the precinct, including significant community engagement on a draft master plan.

An analysis of feedback data from the first round of consultation showed 17 per cent (approximately one in six) Redlands Coast households indicated an interest in the project by visiting the Birkdale Community Precinct Your Say page.

Eighty-eight per cent of respondents to the engagement were Redlands Coast residents, approximately three in four Birkdale households visited Council’s Your Say web page to seek information about the proposed development of the site and, importantly, all suburbs were represented in survey responses and submissions.

Cr Williams said Birkdale Community Precinct provided a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Council to develop a community-use area catering to the diverse tastes of the community and the uses they envisaged for the site.

“It presents the opportunity to create a world-class precinct that could drive employment, boost local and regional economies, become a significant drawcard for tourism and shine an even brighter light on the naturally wonderful Redlands Coast,” she said.

“The site has identified environmental, cultural and historical significance, which will be protected.

“This is a large precinct that has space for many exciting projects that would enhance lifestyle and benefit communities and economies, as well as bring forward important transport infrastructure.”

A dedicated Redlands Coast Your Say page was at the centre of the campaign.

It featured extensive facts about the site along Old Cleveland Road East at Birkdale, as well as videos, detailed commissioned reports, a virtual tour and the survey portal.

“It is evident the five themes that formed the basis of the engagement have all resonated with the community,” Cr Williams said.

“The huge response was staggering.

“It shows that the community really has a sense of ownership over this land and are genuinely interested in what it could become, not only for themselves, but for generations to come.”

For more information on Birkdale Community Precinct, go to: yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au/imagine

For the agenda from today’s Council meeting, go to: 27 May 2021 Agenda

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