Monthly Archives: September 2017

$1 million program boosting job opportunities in Redland and Logan region


September 28, 2017

A $1 million program to boost jobs and local business opportunities in the Redland and Logan region through new innovation hubs and education centres.

Minister for Innovation Leeanne Enoch today (Thursday) said the government will support the project led by the Redland City Council with funding of $500,000 over three years through its $6 million Advancing Regional Innovation Program (ARIP).

Ms Enoch said 11 ARIP partners, including Logan City Council, Griffith University, Little Tokyo 2 innovation hub, and the Redland City Chamber of Commerce will match the state’s funding.

“The Redland and Logan ARIP has a robust, multipronged approach to fostering business growth that includes the establishment of innovation hubs and a series of innovation summits and entrepreneurial events,” Ms Enoch said.

Member for Woodridge Cameron Dick said the establishment of innovation spaces across the region, including the Griffith University Logan campus, would bring together students, community and industry partners and provide local startups and entrepreneurs with resources, networks and mentors.

“The Advancing Regional Innovation Program will foster innovative mindsets in local school students enabling the next generation of business leaders in this region to develop the ideas and abilities needed to ride the innovation wave,” Mr Dick said.

Member for Springwood Mick de Brenni said the collaborative program was an important opportunity for the region.

“There are innovative local businesses doing great things in both Logan and the Redlands and this program will be a catalyst to strengthen local opportunities for our community to fully participate in the jobs of the future,” Mr de Brenni said.

Member for Logan Linus Power welcomed today’s announcement. “Logan has fantastic innovators and this program gives them the support they need,” he said.

Member for Capalaba Don Brown said: “It’s wonderful to be fostering innovation throughout Redlands and supporting the growth and employment opportunities that it will provide.”

Redland and Logan ARIP coordinator Frank Pearce said he was looking forward to working with other partners to “develop a suite of programs that engage a broad spectrum of our local communities in innovation activities that will provide lasting benefit”.

“We are particularly excited about deepening our links into the local education community, giving local young people pathways into digital futures,” Mr Pearce said.

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

“The Redlands is looking to become a nursery for innovation and this partnership will help grow our local innovation sector,” she said.

“By collaborating with Logan, innovative businesses and the State Government, it will ensure our local innovators are well placed to grow their ideas, as well as their business networks.”

Redland City Chamber of Commerce President Lynne Sturgess said the chamber’s mission was to make Redlands the best place to do business in Queensland.

“The ARIP grant will provide not only funding, but also incentive for multiple organisations in Redlands and Logan to work together to generate a culture of innovation within the region,” Ms Sturgess said.

Logan Mayor Luke Smith welcomed the announcement and said it built on the City of Logan’s intent to become an innovative, dynamic city of the future and enabled the council to work collaboratively with Redland City Council, Griffith University and private investors to strengthen the local knowledge economy and create jobs.

“Establishing innovation spaces across our region will bring together students, community, and industry who can sit outside of bureaucracy and find solutions to problems,” Mayor Smith said.

“The possibilities for start-ups will be endless with access to resources, networks, education, and mentors.”

Griffith University Pro-Vice Chancellor Linda O’Brien said the project was a great opportunity for the region.

“We know success comes from challenging the norm, from adapting and innovating, from creating new trends and pioneering solutions,” Ms O’Brien said.

“I am absolutely delighted to be working with such great partners to advance Queensland by harnessing innovation to diversify the economy and create jobs.”

Under ARIP, the Palaszczuk Government is providing matched funding up to $500,000 to 12 regions: Redland and Logan, Far North Queensland, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, North Queensland, Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday, Fitzroy, Outback Queensland, Wide Bay Burnett, Darling Downs and Maranoa, Moreton Bay and Ipswich and West Moreton.

Visit the Advancing Regional Innovation Program for more details on ARIP, or contact Frank Pearce on 0427 646 776 or frank.pearce@redland.qld.gov.au

This media release was issued by Minister for Innovation Leeanne Enoch

New Redland citizens welcomed


September 28, 2017

Redlands’ cultural diversity was celebrated on Tuesday night with 73 residents from 18 countries becoming Australian citizens during a ceremony at the Redland Performing Arts Centre.

Redland City Mayor and the ceremony’s presiding officer Karen Williams said the city’s newest Australian citizens were now part of a proud migrant heritage.

“The names of pioneering migrant families are woven into our civic fabric, with our cultural diversity making us the great city we are today,’’ Cr Williams said.

“We value the contributions by those from other countries who have embraced our city and made it their home, with Council hosting citizenship ceremonies for the past 62 years.

“A quarter of all Redlanders were born overseas … and many more have a parent who was born beyond our shores. The latest Census shows that 33,197 people who were living in Redland City last year were born in another country and 12 percent had arrived in Australia within the previous five years.’’

Cr Williams said there had been a significant increase in the number people who had arrived in the city from South Africa, India, the Philippines, as well as New Zealand.

“They have discovered ours is a great city where they can live and raise children in a safe environment, learn in exceptional educational facilities, work close to home and enjoy many social activities and friendships,’’ she said.

Countries of origin for those at the ceremony were: Belgium, Canada, India, Iran, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Serbia, South Africa, Thailand, USSR, United Kingdom and the United States.

Photos from the ceremony are available on the Redland City Council Flickr account.

Total Fire Ban imposed from Thursday 28 September 2017


September 27, 2017

Please be aware there will be a total fire ban across all of Redland City from Thursday 28 Sept until midnight on Saturday 30 September.

This is a result of the very dry conditions and elevated Fire Danger Ratings – Severe on Thursday to Very High on Saturday this week.

A total fire ban will also be in place across  Brisbane and Moreton Bay regional council areas over the same period.

Beyond the total fire ban, a local fire ban on North Stradbroke Island, Coochiemudlo Island, Southern Moreton Bay Islands and Peel Island that has been in place since Friday 15 September will continue in place during the school holidays until midnight on Monday 2 October 2017.

For further information, visit the QFES website.

Help at hand with Straddie dog control


September 26, 2017

New partnerships between Redland City Council and Quandamooka Traditional Owners are set to improve dog control on North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said that Council had provided training and given limited delegated authority to Straddie-based organisations to assist with some animal management functions on the island.

“Delegation has been given to three Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) officers and one Straddie Camping officer, with discussions continuing with officers from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service,” Cr Williams said.

“This is part of our ongoing relationship with Quandamooka Traditional Owners, following the signing of our Indigenous Land Use Agreement in 2011 and other joint initiatives to deliver outcomes for the entire community.

“It makes sense to have QYAC and Straddie Camping officers, who already work on the island, assist with dog control.

“Under State Government legislation and Council’s Animal Management local law, they will be able to act on Council’s behalf in some instances to help ensure residents and visitors to Straddie are aware of their pet ownership responsibilities.”

The initiative will see QYAC and Straddie Camping officers have limited delegation to educate dog owners about regulations, and gather and provide evidence of breaches to Council when necessary.

Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell said these delegated powers were limited to the issues of dogs being in restricted areas, and owners adequately controlling and picking up after their dogs on Council-controlled land.

“Aside from maintaining public safety and amenity, the city’s Local Law 2 (Animal Management) regulations protect wildlife, making them especially important on Straddie,” Cr Mitchell said.

“This agreement is another example of Council, QYAC and other agencies working together to protect the island’s unique ecosystems.”

QYAC Chief Executive Officer Cameron Costello said that QYAC and Straddie Camping employees received training in these regulatory powers, and that officers would be able to take photographs and use voice recorders for evidence purposes.

“Our staff are now job-ready after receiving a refresher with Council last month,” Mr Costello said.

“Ensuring we promote responsible dog ownership is a key priority for QYAC and these delegations are another step in our joint animal management efforts with Council to preserve the community and natural environment we know and love.

“We have lots of native wildlife on the move around the island at the moment, so this delegation is very timely and allows a more holistic approach across different land tenures.”

Story winners loving life in the Redlands


September 25, 2017

A love of life in the Redlands has been captured in verse, prose, film and photographs by the winners of the Our Redlands Story Competition announced today.

The competition, part of Redland City Council’s development of a brand which best defines the city, encouraged Redlanders to share stories about their home and what it meant to them.

In congratulating the winners and runners-up, Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the entries showed a strong sense that the Redlands, its lifestyle and natural beauty was indeed special.

“There’s a beautifully illustrated message in a bottle, love stories, reflections on good times and wonderful  experiences but, above all, a sense that our city is a really great place to be,’’ Cr Williams said.

“A lot of passion for the Redlands was shown through the entries, with a common thread that we are indeed fortunate to call the Redlands home.’’

Cr Williams said the competition had provided an excellent expression of how locals felt about their city which would be invaluable in developing a brand which captured the essence of the Redlands.

“Our entries told of a relaxed life by the bay surrounded by a wonderful environment, wildlife and community … and with so many opportunities to get outdoors and get active,’’ Cr Williams said.

“These stories, photographs, videos, pictures, poems and even a song help define what’s unique about our city, how it makes us feel, what it gives us back and what we love about it.

“Our major prize winners were quite outstanding, with Veronica Mahoney-Hodges’ great take on just how wonderful it is to get home to the Redlands, Jo Dickson’s ‘Dancing Mangroves’, a captivating story in a bottle, Jennifer Parker’s inspiring imagery in ‘My Redlands. My Home. My Heritage’, Lexy and Leah Lever’s musical tribute and Mike Selvage’s lovely verse all top class.

“But every entry has been very much appreciated, so thank you to everyone who took the time to tell us about their Redlands.’’

Cr Williams said Council also had received valuable community input through focus groups with residents and visitors, online surveys, workshops, surveys and pop-up displays around the city.

“There is no other city like the Redlands, we have so much to offer – we are a bit of a secret in many respects but have so much to explore around every corner, whether it is our islands, our coastline, our bushland, our rich Quandamooka culture that can be increasingly seen in events like Quandamooka festival and our heritage,’’ she said.

“We need to get the message out and our brand will help do that – it will be much more than a logo or marketing tool, it will be a long-term strategic business asset for the city.”

The winners, who will each get an Apple IPad 9.7inch retina 32GB Wi-Fi

The runners-up, who will get Go Pro Hero4 Session 

Special mentions

  • Jacob McDermott, 11, Wellington Point
  • Zara Shepherd, 11, Victoria Point

Winning and runner-up entries can be viewed on the Your Say Redland City website.

Our Redlands story competition winners announced


September 22, 2017

The winners of the Our Redlands Story Competition have been announced today, with entries capturing the spirit of the Redlands through verse, prose, film and photographs.

The competition, part of Redland City Council’s development of a brand which best defines the city, encouraged Redlanders to share stories about their home and what it meant to them.

The winners, who will each get an Apple IPad 9.7inch retina 32GB Wi-Fi are (view entries by clicking links below):

The runners-up, who will get Go Pro Hero4 Session are (view entries by clicking links below):

Special mentions:

  • Jacob McDermott, 11, Wellington Point
  • Zara Shepherd  – 11, Victoria Point

Entries showed a strong sense that the Redlands, its lifestyle and natural beauty was indeed special and Council thanks everyone who took the time to enter.

Redland Art Gallery collection out and about


September 20, 2017

Redland Art Gallery (RAG) is delighted to have ten works from its collection on display in both Redlands and Brisbane.

One of RAG’s most recent acquisitions ‘Black seeds’ by Carol McGregor – has been loaned to Museum of Brisbane for their exhibition Tastes like Sunshine.

Black seeds – created with possum skins, cotton, ochre, ash and resin – took out the 2016 Redland Art Awards’ local environment prize and will be on display as part of Tastes like Sunshine at Brisbane City Hall until 12 November 2017.

Image: Carol McGregor, Black seeds 2016, possum skins, cotton, ochre, ash and resin. Courtesy of the artist

The Museum of Brisbane exhibition explores the flavoursome side of Brisbane city’s character and reveals its rich and evolving food story through contemporary art, personal stories and historical documents, and images.

Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art is currently displaying two fibre garments from the RAG collection by Indigenous artists Hannah Gutchen and Hannah Brontë as part of the exhibition Time and Tides: Art in the Torres Strait Islands, Queensland.

On display in South Brisbane until 5 August 2018, Time and Tides sees Torres Strait Islander artists embrace the beauty of the environment and reflect the diversity and depth of the culture. It features powerful ceremonial and decorative objects.

Closer to home, RAG has loaned Pacific Islander works from the collection, including three textiles, two bilums and two prints to Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC), Cleveland, for its Wantok Melanesian Display.

On show until to 30 September 2017 in the RPAC concert hall foyers, The Wontok Melanesian Display exhibits captivating community-based works from Melanesian artists.

Posted in Arts and tagged .

Local Fire Bans declared


September 15, 2017

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services have declared a total fire ban for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) and North Stradbroke Island (NSI) beginning from 12:01am on Friday 15 September through to midnight on Monday 2 October, 2017

A 24 hour fire ban has also been declared for the rest of the south-east.

Fires within a properly constructed barbeque are permitted provided they are not left unattended but otherwise all Permits to Light Fire previously issued in declared fire ban areas have been cancelled.

The extended island ban covers Moreton Island and the North Stradbroke, Russell, Macleay, Lamb, Karragarra, Peel and Coochiemudlo Islands in the Redlands.

Acting Mayor Redland City, Cr Wendy Boglary, said the State Disaster Control Centre has advised that yesterday’s vigorous surface trough that moved through the southeast Queensland coast  will be followed by a very dry air mass and strong and gusty southeast to south-westerly winds to produce the Severe Fire Danger.

As Acting Chair of the local Disaster Management Group, Cr Wendy Boglary said total prohibition on the lighting and use of fires on the islands and mainland follows an assessment of weather conditions and elevated fire risk due to a low fuel moisture level and predicted dry windy conditions.

“I urge all residents to still enjoy the coming school holidays but to be especially alert to the increasing serious bushfire risk, not just on the islands, but across the City and South East Queensland,” she said.

“Careless or reckless behaviour with small fires left unattended or improperly extinguished, can lead to serious fires and there must be no open fires at all while a fire ban is in place. While the open fire ban on SMBI and Straddle reduces the opportunity for this to occur on our islands, we need the rest of the community to be just as aware and vigilant, fire ban or not,” Cr Boglary said.

Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards said Council had undertaken a proactive approach to fire mitigation and property maintenance on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, with substantial work carried out since receiving the Review of Council’s Fire Management Plan.

“While this work and close collaboration with residents has been important to managing fire risk on our islands, there will always be risk and vulnerability.

“In dry windy conditions even the operation of machinery or power tools anywhere near dry grass and vegetation can lead to an ember or spark that can quickly spread.”

Councillor for North Stradbroke Island Peter Mitchell said fire preparation was a whole of community responsibility.

“Council and emergency services have strong plans in place to respond to any fire, but with help from the community, we want to avoid having to use them,” he said

“Residents should be prepared and aware of their local disaster management plans, accessible on Councils website, and have their own household emergency and evacuation plans in place.”

Fire ban in Redland City: Thursday 14 September 2017


September 13, 2017

FIRE BAN IN REDLAND CITY: Thursday 14 September 12.01am- 11.59pm

Due to the severe fire danger forecast issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services – QFES has advised there will be a 24hr fire ban across Redland City on Thursday 14 September.

Do you have a bushfire survival plan? Visit the Redland Disaster Plan website to find information on how to prepare for, respond to and recover from a disaster.

MOU opens the door into China for local business


September 8, 2017

Opportunities for local businesses in the booming Chinese market took an important step forward this week with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Redland City and its Chinese friendship city Qinhuangdoa.

Visiting the Chinese port city as part of an international business mission, Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the MOU included specific actions designed to deliver for local businesses.

“This MOU is all about opening the door for local business in the lucrative Chinese market, with key local growth sectors such as education, health, wellness and aged care specifically identified as opportunities in the agreement,” Cr Williams said.

“It has been written specifically with local businesses in mind, including marine based businesses who have been knocking on the door in China for some time and will no doubt benefit from this commitment by both cities to progress these opportunities.”

Cr Williams said the signing of the MOU came a day after she met with the President and Vice President of the new district in Qinhuangdao – Beidehe – which included a national health industry focussed on innovation in the health sector, as well as other industries that are key growth sectors for the Redlands.

“This new district is focussed on many industries that are strong in the Redlands, including tourism, health, wellness and aged care, so this relationship holds great potential for us locally,” she said.

“The President and Vice President of Beidehe are keen to visit the Redlands and pursue opportunities with our city, particularly in educating and skilling a workforce for health and aged care and I will be speaking with our economic development board and local business community to ensure we benefit from this interest.”

Acting Mayor Wendy Boglary said the signing of the MOU with Qinhuangdao also came on the back of councillors receiving two new economic development sector plans for health and education designed to grow business opportunities in these key local sectors.

“These two new strategies, received by Council at Wednesday’s General Meeting, are a key part of the City’s economic framework and will deliver untapped economic opportunities,” Cr Boglary said.

“They include actions such as growing the international education market and cultivating a local university sector, as well as identifying the need for a centre of excellence in education for the ageing, and developing a health and education precinct.

“Councils from across South East Queensland are battling for economic opportunities for their respective cities and if the Redlands is going to have a seat at the table we need to have a plan for how we stand out from our neighbours and these strategies provide that plan.

“To succeed, these strategies require relationships both within the local business sector and with international markets and the MOU with Qinhuangdao will develop those relationships and build on these strategies.”

Cr Williams said the MOU also committed both cities to signing a full sister city relationship within the next 12 months.

“This shows the commitment for long term strategic relationships by both cities,” she said.

“Sister city relationship deliver significant benefits for local businesses and schools and I have no doubt that moving to a formal sister city status with Qinhuangdao will do the same.”