Capalaba Regional Park has received an upgrade with the installation of solar lighting and the replacement of heavily used playground equipment.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the works added significant safety and recreation benefits to one of the city’s key destination recreation parks.

“I know Redlands Coast residents love their parks and these enhancements will ensure Capalaba Regional Park remains a great family location for everyone to enjoy,” she said.

“Council had previously installed 16 solar lights along an existing internal circulation path to facilitate improved and extended use of the park.

“To complete these works, another 36 LED solar lights have been installed, which will not only improve safety on this path but support the events staged in the park.

“Linkages can also be made from this path to other park and path networks within Capalaba in the future.”

Division 9 Councillor Adelia Berridge said the two-mast spacenet on the climbing apparatus had also been replaced.

“The spacenet had been loved to the point of disrepair and could no longer be maintained efficiently,” Cr Berridge said.

“Replacement was required to ensure visitors to this park are able to access the full expected play experience, which includes climbing, for a range of abilities and ages.

“I am pleased the net was replaced for the continued enjoyment of local and visiting children.”

The replacement of the space net was completed on 11 June, with the additional solar lights installed by 25 June.

The Capalaba Regional Park works were funded through two Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program grants from the Australian Government – $374,140 for the lights and $86,136 to replace the play equipment.

They were among 10 Council projects which received a total $1,692,120 funding through Phase 1 of the LRCI Program.

Redland City Council has installed 16 security cameras in Victoria Point Reserve.

Mayor Karen Williams said the project formed part of the Redland City Security Camera Program which aims to improve safety and security.

“The purpose of the program is to encourage appropriate use of public spaces and to increase pride and ownership of them,” she said.

“Of particular benefit to the community is that security cameras can act as a deterrent for unlawful and antisocial behaviour, as they can be used to provide evidence in prosecutions.”

Cr Williams said camera locations were identified based on police crime statistics, need and Council’s ability to obtain external funding.

“Overall, Redlands Coast enjoys lower crime rates than many other areas in south-east Queensland.

“However, when an area that is environmentally susceptible to antisocial behaviour or criminal activity is identified, we work in partnership with other levels of government to address this.

“Victoria Point Reserve has been identified, in partnership with Queensland Police, as a priority location in recent years.

“We encourage all residents witnessing or experiencing crime to report it to police, as these reports help prioritise both police and council resources in the future.”

Division 4 Councillor Lance Hewlett said the new cameras would cover the car parks and entry points along Masters Avenue and would complement those already installed at the jetty bus terminal and Volunteer Marine Rescue base.

“The community, and especially residents from Coochiemudlo Island, have been calling for improved security at the Victoria Point Reserve,” Cr Hewlett said.

“These new security cameras will be welcomed and I’m sure they will help discourage crime such as damage to, and theft from, vehicles.

“They will also help create a safer environment for both visitors to the reserve and island commuters.”

The Victoria Point Reserve cameras are funded by the Australian Government through a $163,793 Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program grant.

Council has also installed security cameras in the Capalaba Bus Station and Library Precinct, Moores Road and Weinam Creek car parks in Redland Bay, and in Wellington Point Reserve.

For more information on the Redland City Security Camera Program, visit Council’s website.

There are plenty of opportunities for aspiring sports stars to practise their scoring skills after Council replaced goal posts in 12 locations across Redlands Coast.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said sport was an important part of the community and the new posts would provide upgraded facilities at local sports grounds and open spaces.

“As part of Council’s Open Space Renewal Program, all six goal posts at Judy Holt Recreation Reserve at Birkdale were replaced,” she said.

“Three other sports fields, four kick-about areas and four basketball towers also now boast renewed posts.

“It’s important to encourage our rugby stars, soccer champions, AFL prodigies, league legends and basketball heroes to get out there and keep kicking and shooting goals.

“It is also important to provide safe sporting facilities to support the community’s physical and mental wellbeing.”

Goal and basketball posts have been replaced at:

• Birkdale – Judy Holt Recreation Reserve
• Capalaba – John Frederick Park and Tauris Road Park
• Cleveland – Oyster Point Park
• Dunwich – Ron Stark Oval
• Redland Bay – Lanyard Place Park, Sel Outridge Park and Junee Street Park
• Thornlands – Abbotsleigh Street Park
• Victoria Point – Ern & Alma Dowling Memorial Park, Les Moore Park and Orana Street Park.

Redlands Coast park reserves are another step closer to being even more vibrant after Council today endorsed the Land Management Plan – Temporary Commercial Use of Public Open Space (Council Trustee Reserves).

Mayor Karen Williams said the Land Management Plan (LMP) applied specifically to 29 State-owned reserves that Council holds in trust for the Queensland Government.

“The LMP provides controls and measures that satisfy State requirements for temporary commercial activities on these reserves in the Redlands Coast,” she said.

“It also reinforces Council’s commitment to supporting sustainable levels of temporary commercial activity in public open spaces.”

Cr Williams said temporary commercial activities are generally of a low-scale, and restricted to a footprint of 30 sq m and, depending on the size and type of park, the number of commercial vendors is capped at between one and three.

“Under the LMP, the type of temporary commercial activities are limited to those that complement the recreation and leisure functions of that reserve,” she said.

“Depending on the park, activities could include mobile food and beverage vans; personal fitness training; hire of recreation equipment, such as watercraft and bikes; entertainment such as busking, face painting, magicians, petting zoos and other similar activities; and tourist-based activities, including canoe and kayak tours.

“There are many activities that could further enliven our parks and communities, and which park users would appreciate having there.

“We love our outdoors lifestyle on Redlands Coast, and the LMP is an important step in making sure great recreation and leisure opportunities are available to everyone.”

Cr Williams said the LMP would now be sent to the Queensland Government for approval.

“Following the State Government’s approval of the plan, vendors who want to operate in a park reserve will be able to indicate their interest to Council through an Expression of Interest process,” she said.

“If short-listed, they will be invited to formally apply for approval.”

For more information about the Land Management Plan – Temporary Commercial use of Public Open Space (Council Trustee Reserves) visit Council’s Your Say webpage.

There are even more reasons to visit Thornlands Community Park with the Stage 2b upgrade introducing new exercise equipment, extra agricultural-themed play elements and recognition of the local area’s historical links.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the upgrades complemented previous works to create a flourishing vibrant outdoor space for local families and visitors.

“Right from the beginning, when Council bought this block of land, our aim has been to create a new and stimulating park to meet the needs of the growing Thornlands community,” she said.

“This is a true community park which has been heavily influenced by community feedback and I’m hoping our residents are as excited as we are about being part of this process to develop a major new park from scratch.

“Council has invested about $4.7 million to create the park over four stages since 2018, with a plaza area, carpark, picnic facilities and barbecue, footpaths, seating, landscaping, and a fully-fenced all-abilities playground.

“The park also includes Redland Coast’s first Changing Places Public Amenities which are designed to meet the needs of people with complex disabilities and their carers.

“There really is something for everyone and I’m confident our residents will be enjoying this park in this special part of Redlands Coast for generations to come, with the kids of today bringing their own children to play.”

Cr Paul Golle and Mayor Karen Williams with the anvil and interpretive sign about Wally the Blacksmith in Thornlands Community Park.

Cr Williams said Stage 2b had been completed as part of Council’s $13.8 million investment in upgrading parks and open spaces this financial year.

Division 3 Councillor Paul Golle said the latest additions to the park helped to improve liveability and amenity in Thornlands.

“Residents looking to get fit and healthy will appreciate the new fitness equipment, with a large multi-function unit, exercise bike, cross trainer, and chest and shoulder presses,” Cr Golle said.

“Our younger residents have already been spoilt for choice at this wonderful park, and the new play elements will provide even further opportunities for climbing, balancing and sliding.

“Local families will appreciate how the agricultural theme of the play area celebrates our heritage, with small and large tractor tyres for climbing, a leaf play climbing structure and embankment climbing rope and slide.

“There is also an additional barbecue and drinking fountain, extra seating, shade and a bike rack near the park entrance.”

Cr Golle supported the installation of an anvil and interpretive sign about Walter Percy Mitchell, known as Wally the Blacksmith, at the park as part of the Community Infrastructure Program budget.

Wally used to service the tools of Council road gangs at his smithy which was previously located on the park site.

“Remembering Wally, an iconic Redlands Coast figure, and the part he played in our history is important, and it will be wonderful to see him honoured in this new community park in his beloved Thornlands,” Cr Golle said.