Category Archives: Cleveland

Pool filter delayed but is on its way

December 18, 2020

The filter system for the Cleveland Aquatic Centre’s 50-metre pool is on the last leg of its journey to Brisbane.

Redland City Councillor Peter Mitchell (Division 2) said it had been a long and frustrating wait for both Council and residents, and it was now anticipated the pool would reopen by the end of January 2021.

“We had hoped for the 50-metre pool to reopen by the end of this year following the partial re-opening of the rest of the refurbished aquatic centre in October,” he said.

“However there have been delays in transporting the filter from overseas due to the combination of the COVID-19 pandemic, industrial action, rough weather and capacity issues in ports.

“Our latest advice is that the vessel carrying the filter is due to arrive in Brisbane on 27 December and the filter is expected to be cleared by Australian customs on 4 January 2021.

“A team of contractors remains on stand-by and committed to installing the new filter system as soon as it arrives on-site.

“We anticipate and hope that the filter will be installed and the pool operational by the end of January 2021 but that is of course contingent on the arrival of the filter and its clearance through customs.”

Cr Mitchell said residents had been very patient while Council and centre operator Belgravia Leisure had overseen the revitalisation and maintenance upgrade at the aquatic centre.

“Even before COVID restrictions forced the closure of the centre in March, work had commenced to repair a suspected leak in the 50-metre pool.

“The filter system is a critical piece of equipment and was procured from overseas only after no submission was received for supply of a suitable local Australian-manufactured product.

“While it is disappointing we weren’t able to reopen the 50-metre pool for the summer school holidays, it will be heated so I am sure it will prove a popular attraction during the rest of the year.

“Since October, work has continued on final landscaping, tiling and concourse painting and, once this crucial final element is complete, the community will have access to a quality and enjoyable aquatic centre for many years to come.”

The Cleveland Aquatic Centre had a partial re-opening on 14 October 2020 following plumbing and electrical works, replacement of the 25-metre pool filter mediums, refurbishment of the children’s play pool and centre kiosk, and centre-wide painting, decking, tiling and landscaping.

Council acknowledges the State Government’s COVID Works for Queensland funding contribution of $830,000 towards this project.

Festival fun has begun at Christmas on the Coast

December 17, 2020

Festivities are underway at Council’s Christmas on the Coast festival at Raby Bay Harbour Park.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said yesterday’s successful opening night was the first of five evenings of family fun and entertainment, from 4.30 to 8.30pm daily until 20 December.

“Christmas is being celebrated on the Redlands Coast waterfront this year in a five-day ticketed COVID-safe festival,” Cr Williams said.

“On opening night, crowds enjoyed live stage entertainment headlined by Alexa Curtis, children’s rides and family activities, and boutique markets with food vendors.

Live entertainment was headlined by Alexa Curtis

“The city’s Christmas tree was lit and there was an outdoor screening of PG rated movie A Dennis the Menace Christmas.

“We’ll be lighting the Christmas tree and showing a different Christmas movie each night so no one misses out on the magic.

“In addition to the festival, we’re offering the full Christmas experience with ice-skating on a synthetic rink from 10.30am to 8.30pm throughout the festival period.

Ice-skating fun continues throughout the festival

“Some very excited kids, big and small, have already tested out the rink and reported that it was as fun as it looks!

“The rink is located outside of the festival parameters to allow for separate access to the skating sessions, which can be purchased online.

“It’s time to lighten up after a long and serious year, so I encourage everyone to come down to Raby Bay Harbour Park to bring in the silly season.”

Free kids activities include inflatable jumping castles, Santa photos, roving entertainment, carousel rides and giant games.

Proceeds from event tickets will go towards helping some of the most vulnerable people in our community including local charities such as domestic and family violence support services.

Christmas on the Coast details:

To keep this event COVID-safe, bookings are essential, with numbers restricted to 1500 people each day. Book your tickets now before they sell out.
When: 4.30pm-8.30pm, Wednesday 16 – Sunday 20 December 2020
Where: Raby Bay Harbour Park, Shore Street West, Cleveland
Cost: $5 per person or $15 per family (under 12 free); includes free train travel to and from event
Ice-skating cost (tickets sold separately): $15 day sessions, $10 night sessions
See the full nightly programs and purchase tickets: redland.qld.gov.au/christmas

Six-month Cleveland parking trial begins

December 11, 2020

A six-month trial of 26 one-hour parking spaces in Cleveland CBD has begun to help identify the benefits of providing more short-term parking spaces.

Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell said that balancing parking time limits was one way of ensuring town centres, such as Cleveland remain accessible to all users.

“We need to ensure our centres remain vibrant parts of the Redlands Coast community,” Cr Mitchell said.

“Currently, on-street parking in the Cleveland CBD is dominated by three-hour and longer parking options.

“This reflects past responses to parking, but the needs of the Cleveland town centre, visitors and businesses have changed over time.

“An over-emphasis on long-term parking can limit business turnover and frustrate those in the community who are unable to conduct their business because they cannot easily access available parking.

“To help strike a balance, Council has agreed to reduce the three-hour limits to one hour for 26 parking spaces in Middle Street and Bloomfield Street, Cleveland.”

The new one-hour parking spaces are in the following locations:
• 17 parking spaces on Bloomfield Street running from approximately outside Westpac Bank (on the corner of Bloomfield and Middle streets) to Stephen Dibb Jewellers
• 6 parking spaces on Middle Street, running from approximately Gisler’s Pie Café and Subway to Westpac Bank (on the corner of Bloomfield and Middle streets)
• 3 spaces on Bloomfield Street approximately outside Bloomfield Street News.

Cr Mitchell said the parking spaces chosen were those that regularly experienced high demand for parking with retail and pedestrian activity nearby.

“Some businesses cater to quick turnover customers, while others may need more extended parking times for their customers,” Cr Mitchell said.

“Having a mix of timed parking spaces is designed to cater for these differences.”

Cr Mitchell said parking was not the only solution.

“Good public transport access and walking and cycling-friendly spaces are also vital ingredients,” Cr Mitchell said.

“I expect the newly announced Redlands Coast Active Travel Reference group I will be chairing will also make an essential contribution to better urban transport, accessibility and active travel outcomes across the city.

“In the meantime, I hope that the trial of reduced on-street parking times limits may also help to improve parking access and turnover of available spaces.

“The data collected from the trial will be important for a future report to Council, and I encourage as many people as possible to contribute to the Yoursay Redlands Coast project page survey.”

Visit Council’s Your Say site at yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au

Redlands Coast set to celebrate a special Christmas

November 26, 2020

Redlands Coast is set to ring in a COVID-safe Christmas with a fun-filled five-day community festive celebration in December.

Hosted by Redland City Council, Christmas on the Coast will combine the annual lighting of the city’s Christmas tree and community carols events into a five-day ticketed celebration from Wednesday 16 December to Sunday 20 December at Cleveland’s Raby Bay Harbour Park.

Mayor Karen Williams said this year’s celebration doubled as a special thank you to residents for the exceptional way they overcame the challenges presented by this year’s pandemic.

“How our community rallied in response to the pandemic has been quite remarkable and something worth celebrating in itself,” Cr Williams said

“While COVID restrictions affected mass events such as Christmas by Starlight, Council believed that this year, more than ever, our residents needed something special where they could get into the spirit of the holiday season in a COVID-safe way.

“As a five-day festival, it will also give our local traders and suppliers a much-needed boost after such a tough year and help us all to recover from the coronavirus’s impact on our community with some great family entertainment, fun and food.”

From 4.30pm to 8.30pm on each day of Christmas on the Coast, there will be live stage entertainment by some of our finest local talent, children’s rides and family activities, along with the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree, movies in the park and a boutique Christmas market complete with food vendors.

“Special features include a traditional carousel, inflatable jumping castles and the kids will even be able to get a socially distanced photo with Santa. There will also be an ‘ice-skating’ rink at the park next to the event for use during the day and evening,” Cr Williams said.

To meet COVID safety requirements, bookings are essential, with each evening restricted to 1500 people. Tickets are $5 per person or $15 per family (12 years and under free) and include free train travel to and from the event. Tickets for ‘ice-skating’ are sold separately online.

“The five days of Christmas on the Coast will be a great time to ‘support local’, while also employing local performing artists and helping our traders and suppliers, many of whom have had a very tough year.

“Council is currently calling for expressions for interest from Redlands Coast local performing artists and market stallholders who want to be part of the event, so please check our website for details.

“It is very much a local event that will support the wellbeing and livelihoods of locals.

“Proceeds from event tickets will help some of the most vulnerable in our community with the proceeds of ticket sales supporting local charities such as domestic and family violence support services.”

Christmas on the Coast

When: 4.30pm-8.30pm, Wednesday 16 – Sunday 20 December 2020

Where: Raby Bay Harbour Park, Shore Street West, Cleveland

Tickets: $5 per person or $15 per family (12 years and under FREE)

There will also be an ‘ice-skating’ rink at the park next to the event for use during the day and evening. Ice-skating tickets are sold separately online.

Info and bookings: redland.qld.gov.au/ChristmasOnTheCoast

Council urges pre-schoolies visitors to behave responsibly and stay COVID-safe

September 18, 2020

Redland City Council is urging young people who may be planning to visit North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) for ‘pre-schoolies’ to stay vigilant and follow Queensland Health COVID-19 restrictions.

Mayor Karen Williams said Council wrote to the chair of the District Disaster Coordination Centre last month to advise of the upcoming event and seek advice regarding the expected influx of school leavers that visit the island during the September school holidays.

“While there are usually no planned events for pre-schoolies, there are generally large gatherings on the island’s beaches and in the townships, so we wrote to Queensland Health to make them aware of the event,” she said.

“The response acknowledged that while there may be increased travellers to the island, there are no formal planned events, so school leavers would need to comply with the relevant Queensland Health restrictions in place at the time.

“We welcome these young adults to Redlands Coast, but with large groups comes heightened risk of virus transmission so it is also vital that they help us prevent local outbreaks by adhering to COVID-19 restrictions.

“This includes keeping to the physical distancing rule of staying at least 1.5m away from others, the gathering rules of no more than 10 people in public and private places – excluding venues with a COVID-safe plan in place – and regularly washing and sanitising hands.”

Division 2 Councillor for North Stradbroke Island Peter Mitchell said young visitors to the island should also follow any directions given by Queensland Police.

“There are vulnerable communities living on Minjerribah, and the last thing we would want to see is an outbreak of COVID-19 there,” Cr Mitchell said.

“The rules are in place for a good reason and fines for breaches are significant.

“While Minjerribah is a beautiful location to celebrate the transition from school to adulthood, I urge all visitors to the island to help keep themselves and others safe by acting responsibly, knowing the rules, and keeping to them.”

For information about COVID-19 restrictions in Queensland, visit qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19

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.”

Bay experience enhanced with saltwater aquatic recreation markers in Raby Bay

May 28, 2020

Keen swimmers will soon have an enhanced experience in Raby Bay with Redland City Council installing saltwater aquatic recreation markers adjacent to the foreshore at Masthead Drive, Cleveland.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the saltwater aquatic recreation markers would be a win for locals and visitors alike.

“I’m a strong advocate for public access to Redlands Coast’s foreshores and Moreton Bay,” she said.

“Bayside locations are always scrutinised for public access as these naturally wonderful areas should be there for all to enjoy.”

Image credit: Callam Craig

Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell said the idea was first raised with him by members of a local triathlon group that train in the area.

“It was obvious to me that this such a facility would provide significant health and wellbeing benefits for whole community,” Cr Mitchell said.

“So I have allocated Community Infrastructure Project funding available to me as a Councillor to have these saltwater aquatic recreation markers installed.

“The recreation markers are being located within the tidal waters of Raby Bay, an area popular with swimmers, kayakers and paddle boarders.

“A 400 metre strip will be marked out with red and yellow buoys, each tethered to a specially design weight on the sea bed.

“Council has received a Queensland Government Marine Park Permit to undertake the work.

“Work has started and is expected to be completed by the Friday 5 June, weather and tides permitting.

“It might be a bit chilly in and on the bay right now but I’m sure that won’t deter our most enthusiastic water lovers, be they swimmers, paddlers, kayakers or lifesavers and Nippers .”

Council poll on Redlands Coast Ekka Show day

May 22, 2020

Now is the time to vote on your next long weekend, with Redland City Council running an online poll to help decide what date Council should ask the State Government to gazette as the Redlands Coast 2020 Ekka public holiday.

The move follows State Government approval for Brisbane City Council to move their Wednesday People’s day holiday to Friday 14 August, and invite other south-east Queensland regions to examine their options.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council was asking residents and businesses if they would prefer to keep its holiday on Monday 10 August or move it to the same Friday as Brisbane.

“People can head to our Facebook page or website and vote for their preferred public holiday – do they want to stay with our traditional Monday off or move to join Brisbane residents in having Friday off for the first time,” Cr Williams said.

“We’re in the fortunate position that either way we have a long weekend, but the decision is one we need to consider carefully as there will be flow-on effects for tourism and local businesses, as well as families with members working in different Council areas.

“As with Brisbane, the change will be a one-off, but we want to give our residents a chance to voice a preference.”

Mayor Karen Williams said whatever the outcome, the change of the Brisbane City Public Holiday would provide an opportunity for local businesses to leverage the tourism opportunities.

“With the change to Brisbane’s public holiday we’ll be encouraging people from around south-east Queensland region to swap show bags for a long weekend enjoying the little adventures and hidden treasures of Redlands Coast.”

“While the economic possibilities are important, so too is the health and safety of residents and visitors so I’d also ask that anyone looking to visit Redlands Coast over the Ekka holiday remembers to practise social distancing and remember that COVID-19 remains a risk, particularly for our vulnerable communities.

To have your say, head to Redland City Council Facebook or yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au

Stay safe as COVID-19 restrictions ease

May 1, 2020

With some COVID-19 restrictions being relaxed by the State Government this weekend, Redland City Mayor Karen Williams has urged Redlands Coast residents to continue to keep their distance and adhere to the rules still in place.

“I sincerely thank Redlands Coast residents for really stepping up and following the restrictions we’ve all been living under,” Cr Williams said.

“There’s no doubt that our collective efforts have helped to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

“While it will be wonderful to be able to get out a bit more, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over and we cannot risk undoing all our good work and putting our families, our colleagues, our community and ourselves at risk.

Under the new State Government directive, from tomorrow Saturday 2 May, in addition to your outdoor exercise, you’ll be able to:

Travel within 50 kilometres of your home
Have a picnic in a park
Sit on a park bench and enjoy your lunch or a coffee
Have a driving lesson with a member of your household
Go on a motorbike ride or boat trip
Go shopping for non-essential items.

Despite the new State Government directions, Cr Williams asked residents to remember that the current gathering and social distancing rules still apply.

“In Redlands Coast, our barbecues, exercise equipment, playground equipment, table and chair sets and fully fenced dog off leash areas continue to be closed for the safety of the community.

Our unfenced or partially fenced dog offleash areas remain open.

“So if you are planning a picnic, bring a picnic rug or chairs or sit on one of our park bench seats.”

“Our Council-owned tennis courts will be re-open to the public this Saturday, with the gates “locked open” so people don’t have to touch them.”

Cr Williams said North Stradbroke Island was still a no-go for visitors.

“The Queensland Government’s travel ban specific to North Stradbroke Island remains in place, meaning travel, including by private boats, continues to be strictly prohibited except for permanent Straddie residents and those undertaking essential travel to and from the island,” She said.

“Non-essential travel includes holidays (even if you own a holiday home), recreation, tourism and general socialising with friends and family.

“Anyone travelling to Straddie still needs to show their ID.

“The 100 metre marine exclusion zone for the waters around North Stradbroke Island is still in place and recreational boats will be moved on by authorities.

“While there is no travel ban for our other islands I urge everyone to use common sense; it would be disappointing to see large crowds heading to our islands and potentially dangerous.

“Now is not the time for island hopping, please be respectful of those vulnerable residents on these islands.”

Further information: Council’s website redland.qld.gov.au/COVID19

Temporary road closure in Cleveland

March 3, 2020

Redland City Council will temporarily close a section of road in Cleveland to undertake immediate sewer maintenance works and repairs.

The western carriageway of Shore Street West, between Fitzroy and Wynyard streets, will be closed on weekdays from 6am Wednesday 4 March until works are completed.

Both lanes of the western carriageway (i.e. traffic travelling towards Brisbane city) will be closed from 6am until 7pm on weekdays for up to two weeks and detours will be in place. This will ensure the safety of Council’s contractors and allow unimpeded access to the underlying sewer.

The eastern carriageway is expected to remain open.

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