Redlands Coast could be home to an aquatic adventure and rescue precinct after Council today resolved to investigate a combined whitewater rafting/canoeing and emergency training facility.

Mayor Karen Williams put a Mayoral Minute to today’s General Meeting, asking Council to investigate the project, which would include an Olympic standard whitewater rafting and kayaking facility.

“This project would be a real coup for Redlands Coast and would support our reputation as a coastal destination of choice,” she said.

“It would also support Redlands Coast’s role in a south-east Queensland Olympics bid, providing a catalyst for the transport infrastructure needed to support the future of this city.”

Cr Williams said today’s decision came after Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) recently elected to discontinue its plans for a Centre of Excellence that had been planned to sit alongside a new Redlands Coast aquatic centre.

“Council had been working with SLSQ on a Centre of Excellence as part of our plans to build a new aquatic facility in the Redlands,” she said.“While there was significant advocacy by both SLSQ and Council, unfortunately State and Federal funding was not available at this time, making the project unfeasible.

“As a result, SLSQ has advised they will not be progressing with their Centre of Excellence and are hence discontinuing the Memorandum of Understanding with Council.  “This decision now means Council will explore a new project that could see a whitewater rafting facility co-located with other adventure sports and aquatic training to create a larger recreational and aquatic precinct.”

SLSQ Chief Executive Officer Dave Whimpey said a new aquatic adventure and rescue precinct would be of great benefit to the Redlands Coast community.

“While we unfortunately will not be progressing with plans for a Centre of Excellence to sit alongside the proposed facility, we are interested to explore further partnerships with Redland City Council,” Mr Whimpey said.

“A new Redlands Coast aquatic centre, for example, would offer an excellent training base for our lifeguards and volunteer surf lifesavers.

“SLSQ and Council have a long-standing relationship that helps ensure the protection of beachgoers in the region, and we are very keen for that relationship to continue.”

Cr Williams said these sorts of partnerships were critical to the viability of such a venue.

“Council has also spoken with QFES about the potential for our State’s emergency services using the facility for training, which would create a legacy for the whole State,” she said.

“I have also spoken with the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, which has a strong connection with canoeing.”

Cr Williams said that following today’s decision Council would now start looking at potential locations and would also look at other adventure sports that could also be located at the facility.

“Our focus for the SEQ Olympics bid is securing the State public transport infrastructure desperately needed on Redlands Coast,” she said.“This includes duplication of the Cleveland rail line; and extending the Eastern Busway to Capalaba.

“This means the location for this project will need to be somewhere that helps to deliver this infrastructure that is so important for our community.

“Redlands Coast has an abundance of naturally wonderful coastal experience for residents and visitors alike to explore, so it is appropriate that we consider the tourism opportunities an aquatic and adventure sports facility would deliver to this city.”

Redlands Coast’s new Visitor Information Centre (VIC) is up and running at Raby Bay Harbour and offering a warm and friendly Yura (welcome).

The centre, established and run by Redland City Council, has moved to Raby Bay Harbour from its previous home at Redlands IndigiScapes Centre at Capalaba.

The VIC features stunning woven ceiling lamps by Minjerribah artist Anaheke Metua and local Redlands Coast wares, including Redlands Coast ceramic mugs by Thornlands artist Carys Martin and merchandise by renowned Quandamooka artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the site for the new VIC was selected to best serve locals and visitors.

“The location of the new centre (next to Hog’s Breath Café and adjacent to Cleveland railway station) aims to attract visitors and locals, including those travelling to Cleveland Nandeebie/Indillie) on their way to North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) either by car, bus, rail or boat,” Cr Williams said.

“Visitors can drop in for a complimentary coffee and pick up the city’s new holiday guide, which features more than 90 Redlands Coast tourism operators and contains a wealth of information about what makes Redlands Coast such a special place.

“When you visit the VIC you will get a warm welcome from our friendly staff, advice on where to find naturally wonderful Redlands Coast attractions on our islands, mainland and hinterland, where you can see native fauna and flora and enjoy the serenity of bushland trails and conservation areas, how you can step back in time and relive our exciting past on heritage trails and at local museums, where to find the best restaurants and eateries, and much more.”

You can also check out the jam-packed Redlands Coast Holiday Guide online. It is also stocked at Visitor Information Centres around Queensland.

Yura is the Jandai word for welcome. Jandai is the traditional language of the Quandamooka people. Redlands Coast is on Quandamooka Country.

Redland City Council is to market test demand for industrial land on Macleay Island as part of a strategy to boost the economy of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.

Council recently resolved to prioritise the testing of likely market take up of Council owned land on Kate Street, Macleay Island – a site identified as suitable and zoned for low impact industrial development.

Mayor Karen Williams said the northern part of the site had been identified as suitable for industry and offered several advantages, including potentially allowing the relocation of industry from residential areas on the island.

“There have been calls for some time for industrial land on Macleay Island to be made available and the Council site is widely regarded as most suitable, being zoned for low-impact industrial activity,” she said.

“Councillors recently agreed that market testing demand for the land was the appropriate step to take before allocating funds to pave the way to open up the industrial zoned area.

“Council is confident the private sector is likely to take up the opportunity to acquire and develop the northern section of the site for low impact industrial purposes.”

Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards said if there was sufficient demand for private use of the land, Council would retain use of the southern part of the area for current and future Council operational use.

“There would be a cost to Council to make the land available but we need to determine demand as the first stage of this process,” he said.

“A modified Expression of Interest process could provide an appropriate mechanism to enable Council to test the market.”