Category Archives: Business

Council closures during COVID-19 lockdown


July 31, 2021

The Queensland Government has today announced a three-day lockdown due to COVID-19 for 11 local government areas across south-east Queensland, including Redland City.

Redland City Council’s essential services will continue during the lockdown, with other services operating online or closing for the duration of the lockdown, which is currently from 4pm Saturday 31 July to 4pm Tuesday 3 August 2021.

Kerbside rubbish collection and recycling and waste centres will continue to operate, but now is not the time for a general clean-up.

Other south-east Queensland local government areas affected by the health directive are Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Gold Coast.

Queensland Health has advised that from 4pm today, people in these areas will be required to stay at home except for essential purposes, including buying food and medications, accessing health care or providing support, exercising locally, and undertaking essential work and study that cannot be done from home.

Masks must be carried everywhere and worn in all indoor spaces and outdoors spaces, except where exemptions apply. Please keep informed by visiting the Queensland Health website.

Under the restrictions, the following Redland City Council services will move online or close to the public from today Saturday 31 July 2021 until close of business on Tuesday 3 August 2021, pending further advice from the Queensland Government.

This includes:

Council’s Customer Service Centres
Customer Service Centres at Cleveland, Capalaba and Victoria Point will be closed for the duration of the lockdown, but Council’s online and telephone services will continue.

Council’s Customer Contact Centre is available for all phone enquiries on (07) 3829 8999 Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm, excluding public holidays.

Libraries
Redland Libraries closed at 12pm Saturday 31 July, but the libraries’ extensive online services will continue, including e-books, e-audio books, e-magazines, music, movies and children’s stories.

Return chutes will also be closed with loan and hold periods extended.  No late fees will be incurred.  To access our digital library services, visit our website or download the app from the App Store or Play Store.

Art Galleries
Council’s Art Galleries will be closed for the duration of the lockdown.

RPAC

Redland Performing Arts Centre will be closed for the duration of the lockdown. All scheduled performances and workshops have been postponed.  See RPAC website www.rpac.com.au for latest performance updates.

IndigiScapes Centre
Closed.

Visitor Information Centre
While the Visitor Information Centre at Raby Bay closed at 12pm Saturday 31 July, information will still be available by phone on 1300 667 386 or visit the Redlands Coast website.

Redland Animal Shelter
The gates to Redland Animal Shelter will be closed, with onsite staff available for appointments and emergency drop-offs only.

Community halls
Indoor venues, including community halls, will be closed.

Public swimming pools
Cleveland Aquatic Centre will be closed. Bay Islands Aquatic Centre is already closed for winter.

RecycleWorld
RecycleWorld at Redland Bay Recycling and Waste Centre will be closed.

Recycling and Waste Centres

While our Recycling and Waste Centres remain open, Council urges residents to avoid generating unnecessary waste and avoid visiting the facilities unless absolutely necessary. Social distancing and safety requirements apply.

More information
Watch Council’s website and social media for updates. The Queensland Government is the lead agency in managing the public health response to COVID-19.

For more information about the health directive and the latest health advice, visit health.qld.gov.au

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Investing in Redlands Coast’s naturally wonderful lifestyle


June 24, 2021

Enhancing Redlands Coast’s recreational and sporting opportunities will be a key focus for Redland City Council through 2021-22.

Today’s budget provides for significant investment in major inter-generational projects, such as the much anticipated Birkdale Community Precinct and Redlands Coast Sport and Recreational Precinct, while also ensuring popular existing community spaces are well cared for.

Mayor Karen Williams said the budget supported Council’s long-term vision to make Redlands Coast an exceptional place to live and play, building on a multi-million-dollar program of park, playground and sports facility upgrades across the city in recent years.

“The budget includes more than $1 million for progressing the very exciting Birkdale Community Precinct, including the historic Willard’s Farm restoration, as well as $3.5 million for the Redlands Coast Regional Sport and Recreation Precinct on Heinemann Road – both projects which will have immense benefits for residents well into the future,” Cr Williams said.

“We have also put aside $2 million to allow us to move swiftly should more strategic land for the community become available, continuing our strategy of bringing important sites back into community ownership.

“In recent years we have invested about $29 million to bring more than 360ha into community ownership for conservation and community use.

“Our focus also remains very much on caring for what we already have, with more than $7 million earmarked for renewing and improving popular community parks and sports fields alone.

“This takes the total spend in the past two years past $20 million.

“There’s $1.1 million for the major renewal of one of Redlands Coast’s best loved bayside spaces, Thorneside’s Beth Boyd Park, later in the financial year, plus significant allocations for Cleveland’s William Ross Park, Redland Bay’s Penrose Avenue Park and Victoria Point’s Parklands Court Park.

“These are just some of the parks across the city to benefit.

“We will also spend more than $40 million running and maintaining the 300-plus parks and civic open spaces that we have, including caring for more than 30,000 assets areas ranging from play equipment and exercise equipment to park furniture, as well as managing about 10,000ha of conservation areas.

“Mowing alone is a massive undertaking, with multiple mows of our parks, sports fields, roads and public utility land totalling 19,000ha – an area the size of Moreton Island – keeping our crews very busy.

“That alone is projected to cost more than $3.4 million this financial year.”

Major investments in open space

  • Redlands Coast Sport and Recreation Precinct, Heinemann Road, $3.5 million
  • Land acquisition $2 million
  • Beth Boyd Park, Thorneside, $1.1 million
  • Birkdale Community Precinct $1 million
  • William Ross Park, Cleveland, $606,000

Visit our website at redland.qld.gov.au/budget for more budget information.

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Redlands Coast closer to hosting Olympics events as Brisbane 2032 proposal firms


June 11, 2021

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams is pleased the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive has recommended Brisbane’s proposal be advanced to a full committee session vote expected ahead of the opening of the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo on July 23.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced early this morning that it would progress Brisbane’s proposal to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games to a full vote and that Redlands Coast was set to be the location for the canoe (slalom) events if it was endorsed.

“A purpose-built Olympic-standard Redland Whitewater Centre is part of the integrated Redlands Coast Adventure Sports Precinct for which Birkdale Community Precinct on Old Cleveland Road East, Birkdale, is the preferred site,” Cr Williams said.

“The Olympic venue will be funded by both the Federal and State governments and would help support other attractions at the site, including Willards Farm and the WWII radio receiver station, both financially and through attraction of visitors.

“In April 2021, the Federal Government committed to a 50/50 funding arrangement with the Queensland Government for all venues and critical infrastructure associated with the potential 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“What is so very exciting about this venue is that it will be a legacy facility for generations to come.

“It will also bring forward significant infrastructure, in particular, road, rail and bus projects for Redlands Coast.

“Our community is particularly keen to see the much-needed duplication of the Cleveland railway line and the completion of the Eastern Busway to Capalaba.

“Similar Olympic facilities elsewhere demonstrate substantial local economic benefits, including during construction and for ongoing operation.

“It is anticipated that about 150 jobs could be sustained through the building and delivery of the adventure sports precinct, with an annual contribution of $52 million to the local economy.

“It also has significant opportunities as a swift-water rescue training facility for emergency services.

“The whitewater centre will be part of a larger adventure sports precinct proposed to be integrated into Birkdale Community Precinct with its overall legacy opportunities being compelling.

“A whitewater facility featured strongly in the community’s list of preferred ideas for the Birkdale precinct during Council’s recent extensive community engagement campaign.

“At 62 hectares, Birkdale Community Precinct provides more than enough space to accommodate the Redlands Coast Adventure Sports Precinct and a variety of other uses in an integrated way.

“As well as strong support for the whitewater facility, the community told us they wanted picnic facilities, cycling and walking paths and circuits, access to Tingalpa Creek and natural areas, café and dining areas, community markets, camping and overnight stays, an amphitheatre and performance spaces, education and training facilities, paddock to plate, wildlife tourism and night walks.”

Cr Williams said the Council of Mayors (SEQ), which has been instrumental in the Brisbane 2032 proposal, is honoured the IOC Executive has recommended the proposal go to a full session vote.

“While we acknowledge this exciting milestone, there is still a lot of work to be done and all partners look forward to a final decision by the IOC and stand ready to assist in providing any further information,” Cr Williams said.

“The potential benefits of a Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are massive – some $8.1 billion in economic and social benefits for Queensland, and $17.6 billion nationally.”

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Businesses secure their spot at Redlands Coast Careers Expo


May 13, 2021

A broad range of businesses and organisations have already committed to attend Redland City Council’s inaugural Redlands Coast Careers Expo in June.

Mayor Karen Williams said the free expo at Alexandra Hills Hotel would provide people of all ages with a one-stop shop to explore education and employment pathways.

“The event is intended to help residents who are pondering their career options, so having the right exhibitors and sponsors is important,” she said.

“The expo also provides a perfect opportunity for education and career specialists and other organisations to promote their products and services in a meaningful and engaging way.

“There is still time for businesses and organisations to secure a spot at the expo.

“Already we have commitments from universities and training organisations, Defence Force recruiting, career coaching, and businesses focusing on innovative technology such as robots, solar technology and an electric bus.

“We hope to offer ideas and incentives for people who might be returning to the workforce after an absence, as well as inspiration for tradespeople looking to upskill.

“Council is also collaborating with local schools and we anticipate the expo will be especially helpful for senior students exploring further study or career and work opportunities.

“For the wider community, it’s a fun way to find out about new and popular pathways now available.”

Cr Williams said the expo was being organised to a COVID-safe plan and would also be available as a digital tour in case of lockdown.

“An innovative aspect of the expo is that people can explore it through augmented reality on their smartphones, as well as in person,” she said.

All attendees, either in person or virtual mode, will have access to a “digital goodie bag” offering a range of discounts, vouchers and information.

Attendees who explore the event through augmented reality will go in the draw to win an Apple iPad.

The Redlands Coast Careers Expo is sponsored by Regional Development Australia Logan & Redlands and Redland City Bulletin.

Businesses and organisations interested in exhibiting can register online until 14 May 2021 through the Redlands Coast website.

EVENT DETAILS

What: Redlands Coast Careers Expo

When: Friday 4 June 2021 from 9am-6pm

Where: Alexandra Hills Hotel Conference Centre

To attend: register online through Eventbrite

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Workshops to benefit small businesses on Redlands Coast


May 13, 2021

Redland City Council is encouraging Redlands Coast small businesses to take advantage of a series of workshops and events being held throughout May as part of Queensland Small Business Month (QSBM).

Mayor Karen Williams said QSBM, supported by the State Government, was a celebration of the vital contribution that small businesses made to the economy.

“Locally, it’s also a great opportunity to support our local Redlands Coast businesses with these educational workshops,” Cr Williams said.

“Council, in partnership with TAFE Queensland, will run free workshops at two locations during QSBM to explore online platforms and help businesses enhance their digital capacity.

“During the COVID-19 lock-downs, many small businesses have had to move online or increase their online presence. These workshops are aimed at helping businesses determine what platforms and online campaigns will best reach customers and generate the best result in sales.”

The Demystify the Digital Landscape and Grow Your Business workshops will be held at the Macleay Island Community Centre on 20 May, from 5.30pm-7pm; and at Alexandra Hills Hotel and Conference Centre on 26 May, from 5pm-6.30pm.

Council is also supporting a full-day event at Alexandra Hills Hotel and Conference Centre based around digital solutions and organised by Regional Development Australia (RDA) Brisbane and Australian Small Business Advisory Services (ASBAS). It will be held on 19 May from 9am-3.30pm. There is a registration fee for this event.

“You will be able to choose from 10 face-to-face workshops and there will be trade stands and Q&A sessions. All designed to help boost business competitiveness and digital skills,” Cr Williams said.

“Council also supported a very successful Investment Readiness Workshop earlier this month at Redland Bay that was hosted by Trade & Investment Queensland and Deloitte Australia.”

More information about the QSBM Redlands Coast events and links for registering can be found at redland.qld.gov.au

Event details:

CLICK! Digital Solutions (RDA Brisbane & ASBAS)
When: 9am-3.30pm, 19 May, 2021
Where: Alexandra Hills Hotel and Conference Centre
RSVP: Register online at redland.qld.gov.au

Workshop 1: Demystify the Digital Landscape and Grow Your Business
When: 5.30pm-7pm, 20 May, 2021
Where: Macleay Island Community Centre
RSVP: Register online at redland.qld.gov.au

Workshop 2: Demystify the Digital Landscape and Grow Your Business
When: 5pm-6.30pm, 26 May, 2021
Where: Alexandra Hills Hotel and Conference Centre
RSVP: Register online at redland.qld.gov.au

 

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Work progresses on new Redlands Coast fibre network


April 8, 2021

A new fibre network will deliver high-speed connectivity across Redlands Coast as the region looks towards driving a post-COVID future economy.

Mayor Karen Williams said the network would initially connect five major Redland City Council sites while Council continued investigating how spare fibre bandwidth could help improve internet connections for local businesses and residents.

“A reliable and fast internet service is crucial for local business, particularly following the disruptions presented in a COVID-19 era,” Cr Williams said.

“Fast connectivity will allow more start-up businesses to base themselves on Redlands Coast while also helping established businesses pivot and work towards a broader customer base.

“COVID-19 has changed working behaviour, with working from home becoming a viable option, so a fibre network that looks to the future is crucial if we want to provide opportunity for long-term changes to the way we work and live.”

Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce President Rebecca Young said Redlands Coast had a “real opportunity” to position itself as being very attractive to business and industry.

“If we are going to position ourselves in terms of investment appeal, and if we want to become more aggressive in that space of attracting businesses to create job growth, we are going to need a fast and reliable network service,” Ms Young said.

“Redlands Business Park is our main commercial and industrial land space on Redlands Coast and connectivity is important to continue the growth of existing businesses and attract others into the space.”

Ms Young said COVID-19 had also forced many local businesses to think about securing a broader customer base.

“Even if a business has a local bricks and mortar retail outlet on Redlands Coast, having the ability to be connected globally is going to keep people afloat in uncertain times,” she said.

“It is certainly important that businesses can remain strong locally, but when we have restrictions placed on how we can operate, lockdowns and border closures, we need to think more broadly about a customer base.

“Fast speed internet connectivity opens up more opportunities, not only for start-up ventures to be based here, but for large-scale and global businesses to allow their employees to live here and work from home.

“Recent studies have been done post-COVID on decentralising urban centres. From that perspective, having fast internet availability on Redlands Coast makes that quite attractive.”

Cr Williams said the fibre network, funded through a $1 million State Government Unite and Recover Community Stimulus Package grant, would initially connect a number of Council facilities in Cleveland and Capalaba, with the potential for it to extend to further Capalaba and Victoria Point sites in the future.

“In addition to saving Council $900,000 over the 20-year life of the infrastructure, this project will offer a number of key economic and community benefits to our city, including enhanced connectivity for our schools, hospital and other vital community infrastructure,” Cr Williams said.

“This is an example of what can be achieved when Council and the State Government work together and on behalf of the community I thank the State Government for investing in this important project.”

Construction of stage 1 is underway and expected to be completed by late May, weather permitting.

The Redlands Coast Fibre Network Expansion project is an initiative of the Queensland Government.

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Greater Brisbane 3-day lockdown ends at midday Thursday 1 April 2021


April 1, 2021

The Queensland Government has this morning announced that the lockdown due to COVID-19 for Greater Brisbane, including Redland City will end at midday today. Some restrictions remain in place for a further two weeks until Thursday 15 April.

Continuing restrictions include that masks must be carried everywhere, worn in many indoor spaces and worn in outdoor spaces where you may not be able to physically distance at 1.5 metres per person. When dining out people must also remain seated. For more information about restrictions visit the Queensland Government website.

All of Redland City Council’s non-essential services that were closed due to the lockdown will reopen after the Easter long weekend on Tuesday 6 April 2021.

The Waste and Recycling Centres will be closed Friday 2 April (Good Friday) and return to normal operating hours on Saturday 3 April.

The Redland Animal Shelter will be open 9am to 12pm Friday 2 April (Good Friday) through to Monday 5 April (Easter Monday) returning to regular operating hours on Tuesday 6 April 2021.

More information

The Queensland Government is the lead agency in managing the public health response to COVID-19.

For more information about health directives and the latest health advice, visit health.qld.gov.au

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Council spends more than $10 million on local suppliers in last quarter


March 25, 2021

Redland City Council invested more than $10 million in the local economy over three months thanks to a focus on spending with local suppliers.

Mayor Karen Williams said Council’s commitment to spending locally had seen Council’s local spend increase by more than $400,000 in the last quarter of 2020, continuing positive trends in local procurement.

“In the face of a global pandemic we know local businesses are doing it tough and the best way Council can help is to spend locally to create local jobs,” Cr Williams said.

“When COVID hit last year we sharpened our focus on spending locally, including adopting a new corporate procurement policy and procedures, providing extra opportunities for Redlands Coast businesses,” she said.

“Each year we spend about $40 million on goods and services with local suppliers, delivering local jobs and supporting local families.

Cr Williams said Council was also encouraging companies to use local contractors.

“About 40% of Council’s annual spend is for capital works and assets, and during the October to December 2020 quarter our capital program expenditure has seen the greatest increase in spend on local suppliers, increasing just over 10% from this quarter last financial year.

“Over the next 12 months we would like to continue to see improved contractor spend in our local construction industry.

“We aim to achieve this by leveraging off our larger established regional suppliers and showing the benefits to them in using local subcontractors and employees, and offering educational apprenticeships for local residents.”

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Council to move to tender for Macleay Island industrial land


November 23, 2020

Redland City Council is supporting the Southern Moreton Bay Island economy by inviting tenders for industrial use of Council-owned land at 20-24 Kate Street, Macleay Island.

The decision follows a widely promoted eighty-day Expression of Interest (EOI) process conducted between March and May this year.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the EOI showed Council’s commitment to growing the local economy.

“We know our Southern Moreton Bay Islands have an active local economy and this process will see Council work with potential partners to find ways to grow it,” Cr Williams said.

“Eleven inquiries were received in response to our expression of interest, with four parties submitting proposals to use the industrial land.

“We will now invite tenders from shortlisted EOI applicants to see what exciting outcomes can be delivered.”

Cr Williams said Council’s broad EOI approach deliberately avoided specifying a preferred ‘type’ of industrial development.

“The EOI was designed to allow the market to be as creative as possible and devise proposals that suited the industrial needs of Macleay Island.

“The response to the EOI shows the islands hold significant opportunity for industrial uses and cements Council’s commitment to supporting a vibrant local economy for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI).

“The process has been intentionally designed to identify opportunities to partner with the private sector to develop and commercialise this Council-owned site to accommodate local businesses.

“While details are presently commercial in confidence I am confident the next phase will deliver a positive solution that will help grow the local economy and offer opportunities for the local community.”

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Redland City Council supports major business and jobs expo


November 10, 2020

Redland City Council is throwing its support behind local businesses by sponsoring a major business and jobs expo to help get the sector back on its feet and to foster more employment opportunities.

Mayor Karen Williams said that in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Redlands Coast Business and Jobs Expo was the perfect opportunity to support local businesses doing it tough.

“This year has been incredibly challenging for so many of our local businesses due to COVID-19 and this expo is a great opportunity to help them connect and market their products and services to hundreds of other business owners,” she said.

“It is backed by a host of local business industry groups and sponsors and is set to be the biggest business-to-business marketplace to be held in the Redlands Coast and Logan regions.

“The expo ties in closely with Council’s economic strategy and our approach to helping businesses thrive through organising workshops, providing access to information on export opportunities and training, supporting research and development, and attracting investment.

“The expo also includes a mentor hub and panel sessions for women in business, and a jobs area with employment agencies, group training, resume writing, workshops and a jobs board.”

Cr Williams said the business expo was just one way Council was helping local businesses recover.

“We know our local businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and Council is pleased to be able to support our local business sector,” she said.

“As well as sponsoring local events such as the business and jobs expo, this year Council has also helped local businesses steer their way through the unfolding COVID crisis, with more than $250,000 in grants awarded to 81 businesses to help them restructure their operations or to access professional advice.”

The business and jobs expo will also include the launch of a 12-month regional trial of the ASPIRE digital trading platform, which has been in market in Victoria for five years.

Cr Williams said Redland City Council – along with Gold Coast and Logan councils – would participate in the CCIQ ecoBiz ASPIRE Pilot so local businesses could access the online marketplace to trade waste and defray waste disposal costs.

“The ASPIRE platform allows businesses to source and dispose of unwanted items that would normally go to landfill and has the potential to deliver environmental and economic benefits for the region,” Cr Williams said.

“Stop by the ASPIRE stand at the expo or visit aspiresme.com for more information.”

DETAILS

When: 10am to 4pm on Thursday 19 November 2020

Where: Alexandra Hills Hotel and Convention Centre, McDonald and Finucane Roads, Alexandra Hills

Cost: Entry by gold coin, and there is a cost to exhibit

Info: https://smallbusinessexpos.com.au/redlands/

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