Monthly Archives: July 2020

Planned burn in Coolnwynpin Nature Refuge


July 6, 2020

Redland City Council’s Parks and Conservation crews and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services are intending to undertake a hazard reduction burn in a section of bushland within the Coolnwynpin Nature Refuge on Tuesday 7 July 2020, weather permitting.

The location of the burn area is 2–6 Coolnwynpin Way, Capalaba – highlighted in yellow on the map below.

Council appreciates that planned burns may cause some inconvenience, and all attempts will be made to limit any smoke hazards from the work.

Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and people affected by smoke should stay inside and keep doors and windows closed.

Planned burns help keep the Redlands Coast community safe by reducing fire danger; they also provide conditions essential for the regeneration of native plants.

For information about Council’s planned burns program, visit redland.qld.gov.au/PlannedBurns or contact Council on 3829 8999.

 

 

Council to trial car-sharing at Redland Bay Marina car park


July 6, 2020

Redland City Council will soon be seeking community feedback on a car-share trial that will be held at the Redland Bay Marina car park from Monday 3 August 2020 to Friday 5 February 2021.

The trial will provide Southern Moreton Bay Island residents with access to short-term, mainland car hire.

Mayor Karen Williams said the six-month trial was ideal for those SMBI residents who only infrequently used a mainland car.

“The trial will offer residents access to a mainland car without associated ownership costs,” she said.

“We know there are island residents who only need access to a vehicle on the mainland for short periods and car-sharing is a handy alternative to maintaining a vehicle at the marina car park.

“Parking near the ferry terminal is in high demand and, while work is underway to provide more parking facilities in the area, car-sharing is convenient for short trips without needing to own a private vehicle, and also frees up parking space.”

Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards said the popularity of car-sharing was increasing across Australia.

“Council has been working towards facilitating a car-share trial at the marina since last year,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the trial, which was scheduled to start earlier this year, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but Council has continued to work to find a solution that would deliver this trial for the island community.

“Under the trial, four parking spaces between the Coast Guard building and the marina will be set aside for car-share vehicles.

“Residents can book a vehicle online and pick it up when they arrive at the marina, and then return the car without parking hassles.

“We’ll be seeking public feedback on the trial; and this will help Council decide what to do after it ends.”

For more information about the trial, visit yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au

Council seeks to partner with State for job-creating projects


July 3, 2020

Redland City Council is hoping to partner with the State Government to deliver more than $7 million of job creating projects thanks to two State grants.

Mayor Karen Williams said the one-off State grants came after years of lobbying for State funding in recognition of the regional challenges faced by parts of Redlands Coast.

“The COVID Works for Queensland and Unite and Recover Community Stimulus Package grant programs gave Council officers the chance to look at our capital plan and see what projects could be prioritised or brought forward to deliver jobs and economic return for Redlands Coast,” Cr Williams said.

“While this one-off funding isn’t the permanent regional funding I have been advocating for, it is a good start and, on behalf of the community, I thank Minister Hinchliffe for making this funding available and I look forward to working with him to ensure it delivers for Redlands Coast.

“While the grants had very tight timeframes and strict criteria, Council officers worked with their State counterparts to find projects that will deliver local jobs and boost the local economy.”

Acting Redland City Council CEO John Oberhardt said Council officers had put forward a range of infrastructure projects under the two grants.

“These projects include infrastructure such as green sealing island roads and an important coastal pedestrian link on North Stradbroke Island to drive tourism opportunities,” Mr Oberhardt said.

“We have also applied for recreation projects such as maintenance on our Cleveland Aquatic Centre and a mountain biking and recreational trail in the south of the city we have been working on for a number of years.

“Officers also identified the installation of internet fibre in key areas of the city as a worthy project due to its potential to deliver better connectivity and business opportunities.”

Cr Williams said she would continue to work with Minister Hinchliffe to ensure this funding was not a one-off.

“While we welcome this one-off funding to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, we need the State Government to make this funding permanent like it is for other areas of the State,” Cr Williams said.

“This would allow Council to plan our projects knowing this funding was available, giving us greater confidence so we can deliver the projects and associated jobs sooner.”

Council to remove establishment fee for green waste bins


July 1, 2020

Redland City Council is making it easier for mainland residents to help keep a lid on the amount of green waste that ends up in landfill, with the $30 establishment fee for household green waste bins to be removed from 1 July 2020.

Mayor Karen Williams said the move would save residents both time and money.

“From 1 July there will be no set up costs for green waste bins, and people who have one could spend less time taking this type of waste to our Redlands Coast’s recycling and waste centres,” she said.

“These lime green-lidded bins are collected every two weeks on the mainland, further helping residents protect their property from potential storm damage through regular garden clean ups.

“Council audits show almost one third of our general waste wheelie bin is green waste, which ends up in landfill; so the more households that have a green waste bin, the more that can be recycled into mulch and other landscaping products.

“We are always looking for ways to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill and this is a great incentive for mainland residents to play their part in a convenient way.”

Cr Williams said an annual fee of $64 for the green waste collection service would be applied on the rates bill for properties that had a green waste bin.

“This equates to $1.23 per week for this opt-in service,” she said.

“The fee covers the cost of collection, transport and composting of the green waste.

“More than 16,000 mainland households are taking advantage of Council’s green waste collection service, and we want to see a lot more take it up, especially with the cooler months being a great time for a garden clean up.”

Council’s household green waste bin collection service is available only to mainland residents at this time, with green waste bins collected on the alternate week to recycle bins.

For more information or to order a green waste bin, visit redland.qld.gov.au/greenwaste or contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on 3829 8999.

Works for Queensland Grant sought for Cleveland Aquatic Centre renewal


July 1, 2020

Cleveland Aquatic Centre will be closed until October 2020 for essential maintenance work under plans agreed by Council and centre operator Belgravia Leisure. 

A Redland City Council spokesperson said the mandated COVID-19 closure of the Aquatic Centre in March had been an opportunity for more detailed centre revitalisation and maintenance investigation.

Council has since applied for Works for Queensland grant funding to support the works identified for the Centre.

“Work had already commenced at the centre to trace and repair a suspected leak in the 50-metre pool as COVID-19 restrictions first began,” the spokesperson said.

“Council and Belgravia Leisure have since been working on planning an expanded centre maintenance, renewal, upgrade and repair program for completion by October 2020.”

The proposed operational and amenity work includes pipe repair, joint, lighting and tiling repairs, major electrical upgrades, sand filter replacement, concourse painting, timber decking, and shade sail replacement.

“Council believes this project ticks all the boxes for the Works for Queensland grant funding including the upgrading and maintenance of public pools,” the spokesperson said. 

“Cleveland Aquatic Centre supports local jobs and vital community activities ranging from recreational swimming, learn to swim, health and occupational classes, to carnivals and events.

“As well as supporting a vital community asset, Works for Queensland grant funding would go to support local jobs and local businesses.

“Grant funding announcements are expected by July 6 and Council looks forward to the project receiving State approval. 

“The closure of the Cleveland Aquatic Centre until October will understandably be frustrating for many keen users.

“But it is also probably the best opportunity to complete major revitalisation work with the least impact before the return of peak season and further easing of COVID-19 restrictions. 

“Despite COVID-19 restrictions being gradually eased, many aquatic facilities across the south-east have remained closed due to the limited viability of allowed user numbers. 

“Others have also taken the shutdown as an opportunity to work on facilities.”

 

 

Redland Bay SES Group one step closer to a new home


July 1, 2020

Redland Bay SES Group will soon have a new, fit for purpose space for its operations following Council’s recent purchase of a building at Redlands Business Park in Redland Bay.

Mayor Karen Williams said the building would support the group’s diverse range of functions in response to local, state and national disasters and emergencies.

“Our Redlands Coast SES volunteers are a hard-working, community minded and multi award-winning team, and their new home at Redlands Business Park will support their efforts for long into the future,” Cr Williams said.

“This team has supported our community in times of bushfire, flood and now pandemic, working hard to empower the community to help themselves and others.

“Council, with the assistance of QFES, will be fitting out the new building at Redland Bay to ensure the space accommodates and supports the broad range of work the team undertakes.”

Division 6 Councillor Julie Talty said the proposed layout for the building would include operational space for 60 volunteers, with training rooms, bathrooms, kitchen facilities, a mezzanine level for offices that could also be used for running incident management teams, and storage space for vehicle and marine assets.

“The Redland Bay SES Group is part of the overall Redland City SES Unit, which is one of the best in Australia, regularly demonstrating a breadth of skill, knowledge and professionalism in real emergencies and disasters as well as in competitions,” she said.

“The team is committed to ensuring the safety of everyone on Redlands Coast, and is excited about the opportunities for providing an even more cohesive service from the new base at Redland Bay.

“We are hopeful that by working in partnership with QFES, the building will be operationally ready by this December.”