Council today endorsed its Education and Training Industry Sector Plan 2018-2023, which supports the delivery of Council’s Economic Development Framework 2014-2041(EDF).

With the education and training industry being Redlands Coast’s third largest employer, contributing 4.5 per cent of the Coast’s economic output, the Education and Training Industry Sector Plan focuses on three areas:

• Fostering collaboration and strategic partnerships
• Growing higher education and alternative learning pathways and supporting emerging industries
• Growing international education

Mayor Karen Williams said the plan recognised the strength of the education and training industry sector in the Redlands Coast economy and the potential for further growth, with detailed actions to realise the economic benefits.

She said strategies and recommendations included growing international education and a university sector, establishing a centre of excellence in education for the ageing, developing a health and education precinct, and engaging the community in education and life-long learning.

“Redlands Coast is well placed to benefit from the education and training industry sector,” she said.

“We have an abundance of features that would be attractive to international students, including a beautiful, natural environment and access to Aboriginal culture, and we have significant goodwill from commercial and government organisations in growing international education.

“As our population grows and also ages, ensuring we have education and training facilities here will help retain our students as their needs expand.

“It will also meet the education needs of older people, the training needs for the workforce caring for a rapidly ageing population, and increase demand from outside the Coast.

“Our ageing population also offers significant opportunity to be a national leader in the provision of education and training services for older populations, particularly active and involved ageing in which life-long learning is embraced.”

Chair of the Redlands Economic Development Advisory Board Sam Kennedy said that the economic development framework, endorsed by Council in 2015, provided clear direction for business and economic growth and development on Redlands Coast.

“The EDF focuses on the key industry sectors of health care and social assistance, education and training, tourism, manufacturing, construction, retail trade, high value-add services and rural enterprises,” Ms Kennedy said.

Through the EDF, Council is committed to local economic growth, local employment opportunities, and ensuring the Redlands Coast community benefits from any improved local economic capacity.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams will meet with yet another Federal Government MP in Canberra later this month as Council continues to try and secure the Federal Government land in Birkdale for the community.

Cr Williams told today’s Council meeting that the recent Federal Government reshuffle would mean starting from scratch with new Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance Zed Seselja who she has asked to meet with in Canberra later this month.

“This is the fifth member of parliament I will have dealt with regarding this land since we started negotiating with the government in 2015,” Cr Williams said.

“While it is frustrating to have to start the conversation again I am committed to ensuring this land is not used for housing as outlined in May’s Federal Budget.”

Cr Williams gave the commitment during today’s General Meeting where Councillors considered establishing a Community Reference Group (CRG) to decide the future use of the land.

“Council’s current intention is that the land should be retained for community use, such as educational facilities and recreation, with detailed investigations and engagement likely to proceed when Council is able to secure the land.”

Cr Williams said the priority was to ensure the land was retained for the community in a way that protects its environmental and cultural significance.

“As part of their divestment process the Federal Government is undertaking a series of studies on the land, including cultural heritage and environmental significance and we will be able to use this information during our due diligence and community consultation.

“If negotiations progress and Council determines that a CRG should be formed, it is expected that an expression of interest process would also be run to allow community members to nominate to be part of the group.”

In May the land was identified for divestment in the Federal Budget, prompting Cr Williams to lobby the Federal Government to rescind its decision and sell the property to Council off-market.

At the time Cr Williams launched a petition on Change.org which was signed by 6,000 people wanting to save the land from being used for housing.

“In May we made our feelings known when more than 6,000 people signed the petition and told the Federal Government we don’t want this land used for housing,” Cr Williams said.

“Now we have to start the conversation again and so I am urging everyone to again make their feelings known by signing the petition, so we can secure the land and then undertake the necessary consultation and studies to ultimately ensure the land is not lost to the community.”

Cr Williams said during her upcoming visit to Canberra she would also meet with Air Services Australia regarding their parcel of land adjoining the ACMA property.

The properties, currently owned by the Australian Communications and Media Authority and Air Services Australia, are located at 362-388 and 392 Old Cleveland Road East, Birkdale.

Redland City Council has agreed to the publication and communication of new non–statutory storm tide maps to help the community understand the predicted medium term impacts of future storm tide inundation in affected areas of the city.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said that residents will receive real benefit from the substantial body of work in producing the maps to show the predicted storm tide hazard levels in the year 2070.

“They are in addition to the statutory obligation for storm tide hazard overlay mapping in the Redland City Plan to show the predicted storm tide hazard levels in the year 2100.

“This work was prepared following a request from a representative of the Aquatic Paradise Residents Association and will assist in addressing matters raised in submissions on the draft Redland City Plan when it was released for public consultation back in 2015.

“As early as 18 November 2015, Council agreed to work directly with technical working groups drawn from both Raby Bay and Aquatic Paradise associations to review all storm tide studies, assumptions and methodologies.

“For property owners in the affected areas, the statutory flood and storm tide hazard overlay only references 2016 and 2100 storm tide levels.

“This would have made it difficult for owners to understand how the impacts of storm tide were predicted to change over time,” Cr Williams said.

“While the State Planning Policy requires storm tide hazard mapping in the new Redland City Plan to account for predicted impacts of climate change, which it has done, including a 10% increase in storm intensity and a 0.8m sea level rise by 2100 – the reality for most residents is that their residential assets would have an engineered life of 50 years.

“So Council agreed to engage Water Technology Pty Ltd to complete this new mapping work.

“This non-statutory 2070 mapping assumes a 0.41m rise in the mean sea level by the year 2070.

“The 2070 storm tide hazard mapping will be made available on a new ‘storm tide hazard information’ web page that will go live when the new Redland City Plan commences on 8 October 2018.

“It will also include explanatory information to assist landowners in understanding how the statutory and non-statutory storm tide hazard maps will be used.”

More than $20,000 was raised for state school chaplaincy programs across Redlands Coast at the annual Redland City Mayoral Prayer Breakfast on Friday, 24 August 2018 – an increase of more than $4,000 over the funds raised at last year’s event.

Almost 280 people, including school chaplains, church and school leaders, government representatives, business people and community members attended the breakfast, which was held at the Alexandra Hills Hotel Conference Centre.

Redland Mayor Karen Williams said the annual event had played an important role since its inception in 2003.

“Our schools’ chaplaincy programs deliver vital support and guidance for Redlands Coast students,” she said.

“The chaplains help our young people in important ways as students work to realise their academic potential in a world of social media that never stops and constant connection.”

Cr Williams said the funds raised at the breakfast would assist Redlands Coast state school chaplains in their work.

“There are six state schools across the Coast that are still searching for chaplains,” she said.

“The programs run by chaplains make a positive contribution to our state schools and these funds will help that work continue.”

Cr Williams thanked the speakers and people who attended the event, and the individuals, businesses and organisations that sponsored and supported the breakfast:

• Lee’s Environmental
• Renaissance Retirement Living
• Alex Gow Funerals
• Certified Roofing
• Frederiks Accountants
• REMAX Bayside Properties
• Cleveland Baptist Church
• Villawood Properties
• Faith Lutheran College, Redlands
• Elevated Photos
• Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
• McGuire’s Alexandra Hills
• Vision Christian Media
• CPC Productions Services

The treasures of Redlands Coast have been charted to provide adventure seekers, nature lovers and those who simply want to relax with a detailed map of one of Queensland’s most diverse and exciting regions.

Now known as Redlands Coast, the amazing contrast of the area from stunning North Stradbroke Island, across the southern archipelago and mainland villages to the wild bush of the hinterland, is being celebrated through two new websites launched by Redland City Council.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the new Redlands Coast tourism website at www.visitredlandscoast.com.au and an accompanying microsite told the story behind the Redlands Coast brand and provided brand information for locals, businesses and visitors.

“We have created what really is a treasure map marking the many ancient and contemporary troves that make Redlands Coast such a special place to explore, whether you are a local or visitor,’’ Cr Williams said.

“Working closely with the traditional owners of the area, we have also included on the websites Quandamooka names for many areas.

“We are right next door to a busy capital city and just up the road from the Gold Coast, yet here you can find an expanse of beach to have to yourself, walk in the steps of the Quandamooka peoples, get that adrenaline rush and then go browsing or uncover some real dining gems.

“On Redlands Coast, you can be as adventurous or as laid back as you like – it’s vibrant, inclusive, connected, full of natural beauty and attractions but still with enough space to really relax.”

The new websites coincide with a campaign to entice visitors from south-east Queensland to visit for day trips and short stays, as well as encourage locals to rediscover all that is naturally wonderful about their own backyard, which includes about 335km of beautiful coastline.

“Check out the sites and you will see what really has been quite a well-kept secret for far too long – even for some locals,” Cr Williams said.

“The time has come to proudly showcase the truly amazing hidden treasures and little adventures people can experience on Redlands Coast.

“We have world-class surf beaches, calm coastal waters, an award-winning winery and craft breweries, an emerging foodie culture and plenty of coastal adventure with boating, fishing, diving, surfing, along with a rich heritage and captivating Quandamooka culture which dates back tens of thousands of years.”

As part of the campaign, Redlands Coast residents are also being encouraged to send an e-postcard, which can be found on the microsite, to friends and family to entice them to “come see for yourselves”.

“The sites highlight Redlands Coast tourism businesses and operators, along with other naturally wonderful aspects of the region, including things to see and do, an events calendar and places to stay,” Cr Williams said.

You can find more at the new Redlands Coast tourism website www.visitredlandscoast.com.au or the microsite for locals and businesses www.redlandscoast.com.au.

A Redland City Council program, run in conjunction with a number of research institutions, including Griffith University and University of the Sunshine Coast, will see the establishment of koala safe neighbourhood precincts as part of a raft of programs being rolled out under Council’s Koala Conservation Action Plan.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said many of the major activities for 2018/19 under the five-year plan were grounded in science, with Council to partner with research agencies to deliver a multi-layered approach to koala conservation.

“I firmly believe the future of koalas in south-east Queensland needs a collaborative approach led by the science and this plan will help deliver that through collaboration with the likes of Griffith University, ensuring our actions are based on science and research,” Cr Williams said.

“Activities include habitat and conservation planning, koala threat mitigation initiatives, and a koala education campaign that will be rolled out next month.”

Deputy Mayor Cr Lance Hewlett said the plan included working on koala safe neighbourhood precincts, which would include a community koala monitoring program as well as a science-based road signage trial, conducted by Griffith University, that would study the most effective signage to increase driver vigilance and increase awareness of koalas.

“The longer term objective will be to use the results across the rest of the city to ensure that best practice is followed,” he said.

Preliminary research under the Koala Conservation Action Plan showed there was a sufficient level of gene flow between the discreet local koala populations in the Redlands Coast villages of Birkdale, Cleveland, Ormiston and Wellington Point.

There were also mainland areas where koalas had existed for at least three generations.

Assessment of North Stradbroke Island and the rest of the mainland was completed in July 2018, with the delivery of all final reports on the koala surveys due in October 2018.

Council has developed a number of education campaigns as part of the program to raise awareness in the community of the importance of restraining dogs at night, being aware of koalas roaming during their breeding season from July to November, and being vigilant when driving in these months in particular.

In addition to the new work being undertaken, Council will also continue to facilitate koala conservation programs such as koala habitat plantings, Redlands Wildlife Ambulance, One Million Native Plants and the annual North Stradbroke Island koala survey.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams today announced that stage one works for Council’s Weinam Creek redevelopment project, which will ultimately transform the waterfront of Redland Bay, will commence later this year.

Cr Williams said stage one would provide valuable infrastructure for the community, including ground-level car parks and a footbridge connecting the Moores Road site to the Redland Bay Marina.

“Residents have told us they want Weinam Creek upgraded and we are working to help meet the high demand for car parking,” Cr Williams said.

Cr Williams said a footbridge would provide more direct access to the marina, accommodating foot traffic and bicycles as well as mobility scooters.

Artists’ impression of the Weinam Creek footbridge

“Once the footbridge has been constructed, it will take, on average, five to ten minutes to walk from the ferry terminal to the car park.”

Lighting and other security measures will be incorporated as part of the design process.

Plans for future stages of the project include additional ground-level car parks, secure car parks and multi-deck car parks within the Redland Bay Marina precinct.

Stage one will also include site preparation for future residential dwellings, including nine house lots fronting Moores Road and a one-hectare lot with potential for medium-density development.

Council-owned subsidiary Redland Investment Corporation will work with Council to develop stage one of the PDA project.

Other features of the plan include improved drop off and storage facilities for Redlands Coast Southern Island residents, more than 21,000sq m of new open space, the rejuvenation of 46,920sq m of existing parkland, new pedestrian and cycle ways and construction of a new boat ramp.

There will also be mixed use and medium density residential development and retail and commercial amenities, including cafés and restaurants as well the potential for a health precinct for mainland and island residents.

Cr Williams said the project provides a valuable opportunity to showcase Weinam Creek as a community focal point and a regional gateway to the islands as well as creating jobs and supporting economic development within the region.

The total area of the Weinam Creek PDA is approximately 42 hectares, including 36 hectares over land and nearly six hectares over water.