Monthly Archives: April 2017

Redlands vigil shines light on family violence

April 28, 2017

A special candle-lighting vigil will be held in Cleveland’s Bloomfield Park on Wednesday 3 May to remember those affected by domestic and family violence.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Wednesday’s vigil, during Domestic and Family Violence Protection Month, provided an opportunity to gather as a community to reflect on the more than 100 women, children and men who each year lose their lives as a result of domestic and family violence.

“It is also an opportunity to show those who continue to be troubled by domestic violence, as well as those who confront this brutality as members of our frontline services, that we stand with them,’’ Cr Williams said.

“Our candles symbolise not only those affected, but the light we as a community, must shine on this secretive and insidious violence. They burn as beacons of hope.

“I encourage everyone to come along and be part of this moving event.”

Deputy Mayor Wendy Boglary, who is also speaking at the event, said the vigil, from 5.15pm for a 5.30pm start, would encourage Redlanders to continue spreading the message of non-violence and raise awareness of the work of WAVSS, the regional domestic violence service.

“We must continue spreading the message that non-violence is the norm rather than the exception, and that family abuse is never OK,’’ Cr Boglary said.

Cr Williams said the vigil would be followed by the third Dîner en Rouge at a secret Redlands location on Saturday 13 May.

“Redland City Council is proud to partner with local Zonta clubs, Soroptimist International, Rotary Club of Cleveland, Redland Foundation and other local domestic and family violence service advocates on this important event to raise awareness and funds for those affected by family and domestic abuse,” she said.

Candle lighting vigil

When: 5.15pm for 5.30pm start, Wednesday 3 May

Where: Bloomfield park, Bloomfield Street, Cleveland.

Dîner en Rouge

When: From 5pm, Saturday 13 May

Where: Meet at Cleveland’s Redland Performing Arts Centre, Middle Street, Cleveland.

Tickets: $175 each or $1700 for a table of 10 (including GST). Bookings – Online through the RPAC website; in person at RPAC Box Office, 2–16 Middle Street, Cleveland; by phone on 3829 8131.

Have your say at a Community Day in Bailey Road Park, Birkdale – Saturday 13 May

April 28, 2017

Information about a new toilet for Bailey Road Park, Birkdale, and coastal erosion will be discussed at a community day to be held on Saturday 13 May at the park from 10am to 2pm.

Division 8 Councillor Tracey Huges, who is hosting the day, said residents would also be able to speak with her on the day about any other local projects or issues such as traffic management.

Cr Huges said there would be a free sausage sizzle, children’s activities and a free exercise class led by a qualified personal trainer at 10.30am, to show people how to make the best use of the exercise equipment in the park.

“I’m very keen to hear what people have to say about a range of issues, including the new amenities for the park as well as coastal erosion,” Cr Huges said.

A small structure containing one unisex toilet has been flagged for the area in Council’s Open Space Strategy following customer requests and approaches to Cr Huges.

“I’ve had people ask me for a toilet in the park, as many children and adults use it for recreation and the nearest public toilet is kilometres away,” she said.

“This community day will give residents the chance to provide feedback on possible locations for the toilet.”

Community day details:

When: Saturday 13 May 10.00am to 2.00pm

Where: On the Bailey Road side of the park near the BBQs and exercise equipment

Have your say on Planning Scheme Policies and Local Law change

April 19, 2017

Have your say on Redland City Council’s proposed new Planning Scheme Policies (PSPs) and a subordinate local law change over the coming month.

Planning Scheme Policies (PSPs): 26 April to 24 May 2017

Redland City Council today agreed to release six Planning Scheme Policies (PSPs) for public consultation.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said these PSPs, which are part of the Draft Redland City Plan but subordinate to the assessments codes and the higher level Strategic Framework, provide operational guidance on matters of environment, infrastructure standards, hazards, structure plans and emissions.

“The legislative name of Planning Scheme Policies is misleading as they didn’t contain policy statements at all,” she said.

“Rather, the six PSPs provide guidance ranging from preparing a structure plan to the design of roads within new developments. PSPs are not hard and fast requirements but guidance on preferred outcomes.

“As such, they are not required to be submitted to the Government for State Interest Review, however, they have been thoroughly workshopped by Councillors with support of Council staff and will be available for public consultation from Wednesday 26 April up to and including Wednesday 24 May 2017.”

Copies of the PSP documents will be available for reading in Council Customer Service Centres and from and Your Say Redland City, where you can also make an online submission.

Properly made submissions must identify the full name and address details of the submitter and should clearly identify the policy or policies being commented on.

All properly made submissions on the draft Planning Scheme Policies will be considered and Council may make changes to the policies addressing issues raised in those submissions.

Change to Subordinate Local Law No 1.4: 2 May to 22 May 2017

Council has also agreed to make a largely administrative change to Subordinate Local Law No 1.4 to enable existing planning scheme provisions covering permanent signage provisions to be moved into the local law.

Mayor Karen Williams said that as Council’s temporary signage provisions are already included in Subordinate Local Law No 1.4, it was the obvious place for permanent signage provisions as well.

“The move was prompted by the removal of the permanent signage provisions from the new Draft Redland City Plan, now before the State Government for adoption,” she said.

The community will be able to make a formal submission on the subordinate local law from Tuesday 2 May until Monday 22 May, with the amendment available for viewing at Council Customer Service Centres and Your Say Redland City, where you can also make an online submission.

Stars set to show their support at Dîner en Rouge

April 19, 2017

The third Dîner en Rouge is set to shine as media personalities and entertainers throw their support behind the domestic and family violence fundraiser.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the gala event held on Saturday 13 May to coincide with Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, would be attended by high-profile guests who wanted to highlight the importance of the issue.

“I’m delighted to announce internationally-acclaimed soprano Mirusia, the youngest winner of the Dame Joan Sutherland Opera Award, will return from overseas to the Redlands to perform.

Mirusia to perform at Diner en Rouge

“Guest speakers at this year’s Dîner en Rouge will include the Honourable Shannon Fentiman MP, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Betty Taylor CEO of Red Rose Foundation and Maryann Talia Pau of the One Million Stars Project.

“Well-known media personalities Heather Foord and Darren Curtis will be Masters of Ceremonies.

“With tickets still available, I hope to see many more people joining on what is set to be a very special night in our City.”

Dîner en Rouge’s location will again be kept secret until the night, in recognition that domestic and family violence often occurs in secret.

Dîner en Rouge is a fundraising event for Redlanders affected by domestic and family violence that brings together guests from all levels of government, business, community groups and the general public.

All the Dîner en Rouge details:

Who: You, your colleagues, friends and family

What: A sumptuous banquet, beverages, exceptional entertainment, auctions and raffles

When: From 5pm Saturday 13 May 2017

Where: A secret location! Meet at Redland Performing Arts Centre, Middle Street, Cleveland.

Return transfers will be provided to the secret the event location.

Dress is formal attire with a red and white theme. Red is for Redlands and white is to acknowledge the national campaign to stop violence against women. Black tie is encouraged.

Tickets are $175 each or $1700 for a table of 10 (including GST) and can be booked:

online 24/7 through the RPAC website
in person at RPAC Box Office, 2–16 Middle Street, Cleveland
by phone – 3829 8131.

Box Office hours for RPAC are Monday-Friday: 12noon to 4pm and Saturdays: 10am – 1pm.

Thanks to event sponsors Co-mac, Redland City Bulletin, Renaissance Retirement Living, Walker Group Holdings Pty Ltd, JJ Richards and Sons Pty Ltd, Alex Gow Funeral Directors and Transdev Queensland.

For more information about Dîner en Rouge, including how to become a sponsor or purchase tickets to the event, please visit Council’s website.

Redlands youth innovation forum generates fresh ideas

April 19, 2017

The recent RedGen Under 30 Youth Innovation Forum attracted around 30 of our best and brightest young people aged 18-30, and brought the concept of an innovation hub in the Redlands a step closer.

The joint Optus-Redland City Council forum held on 7 April at the Redlands Performing Arts Centre sparked enthusiasm for a central hub where creative thinkers can seek opportunities and attract greater innovation and entrepreneurship to the city.

The full-day event heard from a number of high-profile young innovators, who shared their experiences of how they turned their dreams into reality.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the forum was established to come up with ideas on how to keep young people in the city after finishing school.

“Many of our young graduates leave the Redlands seeking greater opportunities, so we’re working to come up with ways to keep their skills, knowledge and experience here,” she said.

“The young people at the forum came up with some great ideas on how we, as a community, can better support a vibrant and innovative local economy.

“In addition to a possible innovation hub, suggestions included providing better work-experience opportunities for seniors before they leave school, giving young people a better idea of what their future career may be.

“More P&Cs could set up a local register of firms willing to take on work-experience students, and students could be linked up with suitable opportunities.

“The scheme could help establish long term ties to the area. Students with experience at local firms could go on to train in the field, ultimately returning to the firm where they started, keeping local talent in the City,” the Mayor said.

Pictured from left: Amra Naidoo, guest speaker and Jordan Duffy, MC

The day was MC’d by home grown entrepreneur, Jordan Duffy, with speakers including former shoe designer, now start-up king Jock Fairweather of Little Tokyo 2 fame, digital specialist Ayla Soutar and marketing and communications guru Amra Naidoo.

Jordan said he was excited by the calibre of the attendees at the forum.

“We had some great quality ideas canvassed around people’s personal goals, and it’s great to see so many of the attendees challenging the status quo,” he said.

The Mayor says Council aims to provide more jobs and improve transport so young people have more reasons to choose the Redlands as home.

As well as coming up with ways to stop the ‘brain-drain’ from the Redlands, the forum provided an opportunity for young people to network and share their aspirations with others.

RedGen is part of a series of forums being held to help generate innovative solutions to the Redland’s economic future.

Upcoming public holiday closures 2017

April 12, 2017

Council offices, customer service centres and libraries

Redland City Council offices and libraries and will be closed on upcoming public holidays Good Friday (14 April), Easter Monday (17 April), ANZAC Day (25 April) and Labour Day (1 May).

Redland IndigiScapes Centre

Redland IndigiScapes Centre will be closed on Good Friday 14 April and open from 12 midday on ANZAC Day.

Bin collections

All bin collections will continue as usual throughout this period. Please note that there will be no bin deliveries or exchanges on public holidays. Please report any missed services on 3829 8999.

Waste transfer stations

All waste transfer stations will be closed on Good Friday 14 April.

RecycleWorld Redland Bay

RecycleWorld Redland Bay will be closed on Saturday 15 April.

Out of hours emergencies

For council-related emergencies, please phone 3829 8999.

2017 ANZAC Day services in Redland City

April 12, 2017

Redland City Council joins the community in paying respect to the men and women of the armed services and in remembrance of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of Australia.

The following ANZAC day services are being held in Redland City:

Cleveland

Event	Time	Location
DAWN SERVICE
Dawn parade departs	5.20am	From RSL Main Entrance, 8 Passage Street, Cleveland
Dawn Service commences	5.30am	ANZAC Centenary Park
MORNING SERVICE
Main morning parade assembles	9.45am	Cleveland Bowls Club, Shore Street West
Morning service commences	11.00am	ANZAC Centenary Park

Changed traffic conditions

Redland City Council advises changed traffic conditions will be in place from 11pm, Monday 24 April until 1pm, Tuesday 25 April on Kinsail Court, Middle and Passage streets, Shore Street West, Shore Street North and Sommersea Drive for the Cleveland ANZAC Day Service.

Road closures will be in place on Kinsail Court, Passage Street, Shore Street West, Shore Street North and Sommersea Drive.

Redland Bay

Event	Time	Location
March to Cenotaph	4.55am	Veterans march from Redland Bay Community Hall to Cenotaph at Neville Stafford Park, Banana Street, Redland Bay
Dawn Service	5.05am	Cenotaph

Changed traffic conditions

Redland City Council advises changed traffic conditions will be in place from 4am – 7am on Banana, Meissner, Outridge and Weinam streets Redland Bay on Tuesday 25 April 2017 for the Redland Bay ANZAC Day Service.

A road closure will be in place on Banana Street, Redland Bay between Outridge and Weinam streets.

North Stradbroke Island

Event	Time	Location
Assembly and march to Cenotaph	5.00am	Butcher Shop to Cenotaph on Welsby Street, Dunwich
Dawn Service	5.30am	Commemorative service commences at Cenotaph, Welsby Street, Dunwich
Main March begins	10.20am	Little Ships Club, Yabby Street, Dunwich to Cenotaph
Main Commemorative Service	11.00am	Commemorative service commences at Cenotaph, Welsby Street, Dunwich

Macleay Island

Event	Time	Location
Veterans March to Cenotaph	5.15am	Kate Street, Macleay Island to Cenotaph, Pat’s Park, Macleay Island
Dawn Service Commemorations	5.40am	Commemorative service commences at Cenotaph, Pat’s Park, Macleay Island

Russell Island

Event	Time	Location
Dawn Service Commemorations	5.30am	Russell Island Cenotaph, Anzac Drive,
March to Cenotaph	10.40am	Cnr Cestrum Street & Canaipa Road to Cenotaph, Anzac Drive, Russell Island
Main Commemorative Service	11.00am	Cenotaph, Anzac Drive, Russell Island

Lamb Island

Event	Time	Location
Dawn Service	4.45am	Cenotaph adjacent to Lamb Island Recreation Club, Lucas Drive

Karragarra Island

Event	Time	Location
Dusk ANZAC Day community remembrance	Dusk approx. 5pm	Karragarra Island Barge Ramp
Free BBQ for attendees	After Remembrance service	Karragarra Island Foreshore Park, The Esplanade (Adjacent to Barge Ramp)

Coochiemudlo Island

Event	Time	Location
Special ferry to Coochiemudlo Island from mainland	5:00am	Victoria Point jetty to Coochie – departing at 5:00am from mainland
Commemorative service	5:30am	New Memorial – Main Beach, opposite Red Rock Café.
Main Commemorative Service	10:00am	New Memorial – Main Beach, opposite Red Rock Café.

Redlands North Memorial Service: a service conducted with local youth and school student leaders

Organiser: Redlands North schools and groups

Event	Time	Location
Scouts, Guides and BP Guild assemble	7:45am	Wellington Point State High School Assembly Hall
Service commences	8.00am	Wellington Point State High School Assembly Hall

ANZAC Day services have been organised by the Redlands RSL, Redland Bay South RSL,
Stradbroke Island RSL, Macleay Island RSL, Russell Island RSL Sub-Branch, Lamb Island Recreation Club, Karragarra Island Ratepayers and Residents Association and Coochiemudlo Island RSL Sub-Branch.

Council crews working on park clean-ups

April 12, 2017

Redland City Council park maintenance crews and mowing contractors are working extended six-day weeks, as clean-up efforts continue after recent bad weather.

Redland City Council Chief Executive Officer Bill Lyon said the weather from ex-tropical cyclone Debbie had caused some delays with park maintenance works and asked that residents be patient.

“Following the weather, we have not only had more debris than usual to clean-up, but also ideal grass growing conditions, Mr Lyon said.

“The ongoing wet conditions have also meant mowing operations are slower due to the moist grass and soft earth.

“In some cases we are behind our normal park maintenance schedules, but I wish to assure residents our crews are working to ensure we are back to normal as soon as possible.”

In the first week of April, crews attended to 450 storm event related requests – this included 100 after hour’s requests for incidents including trees down or damaged and dropped limbs.

From 31 March to 7 April, crews have cleaned up more than 46 tonnes of green waste.

Cleveland Showgrounds, Judy Holt Park and Masthead Drive have been mowed this week in preparation for weekend events.

Parks in other areas of the Redlands will also be mowed this week but works may not be completed prior to Easter.

“On behalf of Council, I thank the community for their patience while the works continue,” Mr Lyon said.

Meet Ben Mulder: Redlands’ sultan of sunsets

April 12, 2017

Ben Mulder’s sunset photos of Wellington Point have taken Instagram by storm. With over 40,000 followers, Ben showcases the Redlands to the world daily. Let’s meet him.

Sunset at Wellington Point

Tell us about your background and how you got into photography in the first place.

My father was into photography. I didn’t get into it until I was travelling overseas with a point and shoot Olympus film camera and travelling to all these amazing locations and just couldn’t help taking photos. That’s where I got my passion for photography. I’ve upgraded to digital which allows me to take many more photos so I don’t have to be so selective. I got back to Australia and didn’t have that much inspiration until I came to Wellington Point and really enjoyed the ocean and the water and got back into it again. A friend suggested I get on Instagram and show my photos off.

What is so unique about photographing Wellington Point?

You don’t get many places like this on the east coast of Australia with the sun setting over the water. Wellington Point has the beautiful jetty for the sunrises so it’s got the best of both worlds with locations for sunrises and sunsets. The location is so impressive that I even had a Japanese lady contact me through Instagram – she flew here to photograph Wellington Point with me for three days.

Sunrise over Wellington Point jetty

How often do you come to Wellington Point?

I’m mainly a low tide photographer so I’m here every second week. And if the clouds are looking good there’s a really nice spot around the mangroves called the 3 amigos which is nice to capture at medium tide. I enjoy coming down after work and breathing the fresh air – it’s a nice way to finish off the day.

What are your favourite places to photograph?

Obviously Wellington Point. North Stradbroke Island is another really magical place to photograph; I really enjoy Adder Rock for the sunsets – I’ve got some really beautiful ones there, Deadman’s Beach around the big sand hill is great for sunrises, and I love photographing kangaroos at the headland, Point Lookout is a magic spot for the wildlife. Out at Cleveland is nice with the old jetty. Victoria Point is a nice place to capture the sunrise and the boats at low tide. There are a few nice spots if you drive around Mt Cotton as well.

Adder Rock, North Stradbroke Island

What are your tips for taking great sunset photos?

You need a good bunch of clouds around to get the best colours out of the sunset. Try using the natural lines of the clouds to draw the viewer into the middle of the photo. Use the silhouettes of the people walking through in the afternoons and the reflections at low tide. It’s a good idea to have something in the foreground as a focal point. I use a graduated neutral density filter which takes the brightness out of the sky creates a more even exposure in the foreground. A good wide angle lens for Wellington Point is key because it’s such as wide open space and you can create extra depth of field. I use a 10-20mm Sigma lens with a Nikon D7200 body.

Can you tell us about your post processing workflow?

I use a free app on my iPad called Snapseed. It’s a really easy tool to use. I saturate the colours and sharpen the image. I really enjoy bright colours in photos.

Sunset at Wellington Point

When did you first notice your photos becoming so popular?

Pretty early on in the piece – about a year in to it. I think reflections are quite a hard thing to capture. You need a lot of water around. Reflections, sunsets and silhouettes are a perfect combination. I get quite excited every day looking up at the clouds and seeing the patterns I can create using reflection.

How do you use hashtags to reach a new audience on Instagram?

I like to stick to a lot of the same ones, they’ve been quite good to me and other accounts feature my photos quite a bit and they have quite a wide audience. I think that’s really helped out with the growth of my account. The last few months my account has taken off and it’s really exciting to see.

Have you ever been recognised?

Yes a couple of times!

Sunset at Wellington Point

What do you love about Redlands?

I love the sea breeze and the smell of the ocean. It’s so much cooler here than the rest of the mainland. One time I was working at Amberley and it was 42° and when I got here it was 28°. It was like jumping out into air conditioning, it was so nice. The people are friendlier here too. I think the ocean air makes people nicer.

You can follow Ben Mulder on Instagram.

Coastal erosion in the Redlands: have your say

April 12, 2017

The first in a series of community events about the impact of coastal erosion in the Redlands will be held at Wellington Point Reserve on Saturday 22 April, from 8am to 12pm.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said 44 sites across the city had been identified as prone to erosion in the Draft Coastal Adaptation Strategy Phase 1 Current Hazards, with residents invited to share their thoughts on the proposed management approaches for each site.

“We have 220km of coastline in the Redlands that is constantly changing with the wind, waves and tides,” she said.

“These changes can affect public and private infrastructure, social and economic amenity, and the wellbeing of our residents, so it’s important to understand how the community uses these spaces and what unique aspects of the sites users would like to preserve.

“For example, an area popular for launching kayaks and stand up paddleboards may be best preserved by replenishing the sand rather than constructing a wall that would alter ease of access. By contrast, sand replenishment may not be the best approach for a particularly sensitive marine environment.”

Cr Williams said Council had developed the draft strategy in consultation with the State Government, Traditional Owners, professional bodies and non-government organisations, including SEQ Catchments and Healthy Waterways.

“This is a framework for monitoring and managing coastal erosion in the Redlands, with the proposed management solutions for the 44 known erosion-prone sites developed by a panel of experts, who have assessed the pros and cons of each approach based on its effectiveness, value for money, environmental impact and social impact at each site,” she said.

A series of community events will be held across the city to explore how these areas are used and what aspects need to be protected.

Events are planned on the following dates:

Saturday 22 April – Main Road Recreation Reserve, Wellington Point (8am-12pm)
Saturday 29 April – Cleveland Point Recreation Reserve (8am-12pm)
Tuesday 2 May – Thompsons Beach, Victoria Point (7am-12pm)
Thursday 4 May – Nev Stafford Park, Redland Bay (7am-12pm)
Saturday 13 May – Victoria Parade, Coochiemudlo Island (8am-12pm)
Tuesday 23 May – SMBI ferry terminals
Saturday 3 June – Gorge Walk entrance, Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island (8am-12pm)
Saturday 17 June – Cylinder Beach, Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island (8am-12pm)

Deputy Mayor and Wellington Point Councillor Wendy Boglary welcomed the draft strategy and community consultation.

“I look forward to the first community event at Wellington Point Reserve and encourage everyone to contribute their local knowledge, which will improve Council’s understanding of the impact of coastal erosion and influence how it is managed,” she said.

Visit Your Say Redland City for the coastal erosion map and proposed management solutions for each location, to add your thoughts and photos of these sites, or to add other areas affected by erosion.