Redland City Council has acquired a strategic parcel of prime waterfront land adjacent to one of the city’s most popular landmarks, Cleveland Point Recreation Reserve.
The three adjoining blocks, which cover 1859 square metres and have panoramic views across Moreton Bay, are considered of great historical and community value.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council determined that the opportunity to acquire the freehold undeveloped land at 232, 234 and 236 Shore Street North for $3.6 million was too good to pass up.
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“This was a chance for Council to bring this land into community ownership and to do something really special with it,” Cr Williams said.
“Being just south of where the lighthouse is today and adjoining the Council park makes it well worth the investment, allowing us to make what is one of Redlands Coast’s best known and loved landmarks even more attractive.
“It will certainly improve access to the bay and coastline, providing our residents with the chance to enjoy what they love most about the Redlands Coast.
“At the end of the day Council felt we would rather see local families enjoying fish and chips by the bay on this land instead of houses, so we have acquired it and we will now undertake engagement to ask the community what we should do with it.
“While we don’t yet have a final use, I don’t think the land should be used for houses or units; it has the potential to boost Cleveland Point’s reputation as a regionally significant destination by providing an even better spot for locals and visitors.”
Cr Williams said the positioning of the land on the western foreshore of Cleveland Point with its stunning outlook offers many possibilities to create a memorable quality tourism experience.
“The area epitomises the natural wonder of Redlands Coast. It is a unique foreshore destination and its historic character is a big part of our identity,” Cr Williams said.
There was good reason this area was selected as the location to film scenes for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader a decade ago and why it remains so popular with locals and visitors today.”
Cr Williams said that while the future use of the land was being decided, the land would be maintained “as is”.
Meanwhile, Council is keen to hear stories and uncover old photographs of Cleveland Point, which is home to one of the first lighthouses in Queensland, built in 1865.
“As we look at the future use of this land, it’s a great time to develop the story of this important place in Redlands Coast’s maritime and farming history,” Cr Williams said. “We would love to hear your stories about Cleveland Point and what it means to you.”
Stories and photographs of Cleveland Point can be emailed to [email protected], drop them in at one of our customer service centres or telephone Council on 3829 8999.
Rich history
- The traditional Quandamooka owners knew the Cleveland area as Nandeebie or Nandillie.
- The Cleveland Point Lighthouse was built in 1864-65 to guide the small coastal steamers that travelled between Brisbane and farming settlements along the Logan and Albert Rivers.
- One of Queensland’s first lighthouses, it is one of only two surviving examples of its type.
- Cleveland Point was briefly known as Pumpkin Point and Emu Point.
- The first public jetty was built at Cleveland Point in 1866 and extended towards Peel Island.
- Cleveland was proclaimed in December 1850, at time when many hoped to make Cleveland Point the main port of Moreton Bay, with either Brisbane or Ipswich as the commercial centre.
- Cleveland Point was once a busy commercial centre. In 1859, following the failure of the port bid, squatter and investor Francis Bigge converted his wool store complex on Cleveland Point into a sawmill. It was operated by shipbuilder Taylor Winship, who set up a shipbuilding yard next door soon after.
- In 1861, Cleveland’s first post office began operating on the tip of Cleveland Point with Taylor Winship as the first postmaster. This allotment later included the telegraph office and the Bank of Queensland.
- In 1866, the Queensland Government finished the 1000-foot jetty off the eastern side of Cleveland Point.
- In 1880, Cleveland’s third hotel, the Pier Hotel, was established on Cleveland Point. It burnt down in 1936, its site is now occupied by the Lighthouse Restaurant.
- In 1885, the Queensland Government built a new jetty on Cleveland Point, this time on the western (Raby Bay) side.
- In 1897, the railway line was extended to Cleveland Point, terminating near Paxton Street.
- The Cleveland Pier Kiosk was built next to the western jetty at Cleveland Point in 1920. Visitors were charged tuppence to go out onto the jetty to fish or swim. The kiosk operated until its owners, the Galloways, pulled it down around 1936-1937.
- For six months from the beginning of 1944, the Ship and Gun Crew Command No. 1 occupied the Cleveland Point Reserve as a firing range, installing a concrete gun platform.
- In 1978, the jetty on the western side of Cleveland Point was demolished.
More information and historic images: redland.qld.gov.au/ClevelandPointLand
