Category Archives: Community

Keep a look out as koalas are on the move


October 14, 2021

With breeding season underway koalas are on the move again across Redlands Coast and the community is being urged to keep watch for them.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said koalas were more active during the breeding season, which continued through to December.

“Koalas are mostly active at night but they will move around during the day if they are disturbed, if they are too hot, too cold or simply to find a new feed tree,” Cr Williams said.

“But right now they are out looking for love, so we need to be alert for them on the road or moving through our yards.

“The main messages are: slow down and drive safely; make sure your yard is koala-friendly with ways for them to escape pools or over fences; and ensure your pet is secured at night and when out walking.”

Cr Williams said it was important to keep your distance if you saw a koala and allow it to move about freely unless the animal was in immediate danger.

“If you notice the koala is ill or injured, call the Redlands 24hr Wildlife Rescue Service immediately on 3833 4031,” she said.

“Council also has an active koala watch program where you can submit any koala sightings when you are out and about.”

To find out more about our urban koalas and what your Council is doing to help, visit redland.qld.gov.au/koala

To join the Redlands Coast Koala Watch, go to redland.qld.gov.au/koalawatch

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Sandbagging stations open


October 14, 2021

Redland City Council sandbagging stations are open today and tomorrow at the following locations:

Council Depot Cleveland – 199-205 South St, Cleveland – Click here for directions
Council staff and SES will be onsite to assist. Sand, bags and shovels will be supplied.

Open today, Thursday 14 October: 12 noon until 6pm

Open tomorrow, Friday 15 October: 7am to 2pm

 24-hour self-service sandbagging stations are located at:

Council Depot Dunwich – 11-37 Mitchell Cres, Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island – Click here for directions
Outside the Redland City Council Depot, 11-37 Mitchell Crescent, Dunwich –
Sand and bags supplied. Please take your own shovel.

 Council Depot Russell Island – 6 Cambridge Rd, Russell Island – Click here for directions
Outside the Council Depot on Cambridge Road. Sand and bags supplied. Please take your own shovel.

 Council Depot Macleay Island – 22-24 Scarborough Rd, Macleay Island – Click here for directions
Outside the Council Depot on Scarborough Terrace. Sand and bags supplied. Please take your own shovel.

Please note: enclosed shoes must be worn.

Need assistance?

Call the SES on 132 500 to log a job, which will be prioritised and tasked. This will help ensure our most vulnerable in the community are addressed as a priority.

Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if the situation is life-threatening.

Call Energex on 13 19 62 to report fallen powerlines. Remember to stay clear and warn others.

Call Council on 3829 8999 to report fallen branches on public spaces across the city.

Please mindful of conditions when outdoors; Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:

  • Never drive, walk or ride through flood waters. If it’s flooded, forget it.
  • Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
  • Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
  • Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.

For the latest advice and emergency warnings:

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Temporary commercial use invited for select parks


October 11, 2021

To activate and enliven some of the city’s public spaces and create opportunities for local businesses, Redland City Council is now accepting Expressions of Interest for temporary commercial activities for a select group of Redlands Coast parks and open spaces.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council supported a range of such activities in selected parks, including:

  • personal fitness training and coaching program
  • mobile food and beverage vehicles
  • hire of recreation equipment (watercraft, bikes, scooters)
  • entertainment (busking, face painting, magicians, jumping castles, mobile animal petting and entertainers for small events and celebrations)
  • tourist-based activities (canoe and kayak tours)

“This is only for those parks selected where temporary commercial activities could be offered without impacting the amenity and safety of park users and neighbours,” Cr Williams said.

“Commercial vendors that complement nearby businesses by offering a different product or service are also preferred.”

“Temporary commercial activities are generally of a low-scale, and are restricted to a footprint of 30 sq m. Depending on the size and shape of the park, the number of commercial vendors is capped at between one and three.

“Activating our parks and public spaces in this way further enlivens them and creates vibrant, liveable communities as well as opportunities for local businesses.

“Vendors who want to operate in a park can now submit an Expression of Interest to Council. If short-listed, they will be invited to formally apply for approval and terms and conditions will apply.”

Information on how to lodge an EOI and for the list of the applicable parks and open spaces, go to: yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au

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Court of Appeal overturns Alexandra Hills service station development approval


October 7, 2021

Redland City Council has welcomed a decision by the Court of Appeal supporting their 2015 decision to refuse the King of Gifts’ development application for a service station and fast-food drive-thru restaurant at Alexandra Hills.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council had opposed the application for the last six years, arguing it was in conflict with the planning scheme.

“This decision is a win for residents and for Council who has represented the community over many years in opposing this project because of its potential environmental and traffic impacts,” Cr Williams said.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams, left, and Cr Rowanne McKenzie outside the land in question at 604-612 Redland Bay Rd, Alexandra Hills.

“This has been a long battle, which began with our original decision to refuse the application in 2015, arguing it had the potential to impact important environmental, open space and bushland areas near the site at 604-612 Redland Bay Road.”

“Over the last five years our original decision has been overturned twice by the Planning and Environment Court, but we never gave up fighting for the community and successfully appealed those decisions.”

Councillor for Division 7 Rowanne McKenzie said last week’s decision ended years of uncertainty for local residents.

“When I’m out speaking with local residents they regularly raise this application with me and so Council was determined to represent them in opposing it,” Cr McKenzie said.

“This latest court ruling is a win for the community and results in the applicant’s appeal to the Planning and environment Court being dismissed, ending years of uncertainty for local residents.

“As part of the Court ruling King of Gifts (Qld) Pty Ltd and HTC Consulting Pty Ltd have been ordered to pay Council’s appeal costs.”

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Time to get ready as storm and fire seasons approach


October 6, 2021

On your marks, get ready … Redlands Coast residents are being encouraged to be on the front foot ahead of this year’s looming storm and bushfire season.

Redland City Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) Chair Councillor Karen Williams said this month’s Get Ready Queensland Week – from 10-17 October – aimed to raise awareness about being prepared for extreme weather events and disasters.

“The idea is to be proactive; to be ahead of the late-spring/summer season which, as we all know, can bring devastating weather events and conditions conducive to destructive bushfires,” Cr Williams said.

“In the past decade, Queensland has experienced close to 90 declared disaster events. The lesson we have learnt is that the better prepared a region is, the better prepared it is for a quicker recovery.

Redland City Council is spreading the word that it is time to prepare for the storm and bushfire season.

“Get Ready Queensland Week is a statewide initiative and the message is loud and clear in its title. If we get ready now we will be able to better handle anything this upcoming season throws at us.”

Cr Williams said Council maintained a dedicated Redland City Disaster Management website that provided practical information on preparing for, responding to and recovering from disaster.

“This is the time to equip yourself and your family with a disaster response plan. The value in knowing in advance what you would need during a severe event or if you were required to evacuate cannot be underestimated,” she said.

“The disaster management plan covers the entire city and has specific information and guidance for our vulnerable communities on our Southern Moreton Bay Islands.

“Council also has an opt-in emergency notification messaging service which is an important part of Council’s disaster and emergency communications. About 2200 residents are subscribed to this free alert service already and I encourage you to opt-in during Get Ready Queensland Week.”

Redland City Council is also conducting a bushfire awareness campaign over the next few months funded under state and federal government grants. Council will collaborate with the QFES to deliver a number of information sessions as well as installing 10 permanent signs in high-risk bushfire areas reminding people to know the risk, prepare a survival plan and report any bushfire or arson to 000.

“Now is the time to ‘spring clean’ your property to reduce the risks of it being affected by bushfires or extreme weather events,” Cr Williams said.

“The bushfire awareness campaign provides targeted advice and information to property owners in identified high-risk areas as well as offering bushfire-preparedness information across the entire region.

“I encourage all Redlands Coast residents to take advantage of these incredibly important information sessions.”

Bushfire awareness information nights will be held at the following times and locations:

  • 7 October, Capalaba Sports Club, Capalaba, 6.30-8.30pm
  • 14 October, Redland Bay SES, Redlands Business Park, 6.30-8.30pm
  • 4 November, IndigiScapes, Capalaba, 6.30-8.30pm
  • 11 November, Sirromet Winery, Mt Cotton, 6.30-8.30pm

Council will also host information stalls at the Cleveland Markets (17 October, 7am-1pm) and IndigiScapes Eco Market (4 December, 8am-noon)

Registration for the information nights is via redland.qld.gov.au

To view the Redland City Disaster Management Plan, go to: redlandsdisasterplan.com.au

To opt-in to Council’s emergency alert messaging service, go to: disaster.redland.qld.gov.au

For more information about Get Ready Queensland Week, go to: getready.qld.gov.au

Seqwater’s free Dam Release Notification service sends notifications by email, text messages to mobile phones or recorded messages to telephone landlines when dam releases are occurring.

You can register or find more information at seqwater.com.au/dam-release

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Full month of events to celebrate Redlands Coast seniors


September 30, 2021

Redlands Coast will celebrate its seniors for the entire month of October with a citywide series of community events and activities.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council had been a strong supporter of the annual Seniors Week over the years and decided to support the extension of it to Seniors Month in 2021 through the Redlands Coast Seniors Month Grants Program.

“A dozen local not-for-profit groups received grants under the Council program to hold events during October under this year’s Seniors Month theme of ‘social connections’,” Cr Williams said.

“The month kicks off tomorrow on United Nations International Day of Older Persons and ends on National Grandparents Day, 31 October.

“There will be numerous opportunities for community participation and connection both on the mainland and the islands, with fun games and sporting activities, expos, displays and awareness projects.

“So many wonderful seniors, from wonderfully diverse backgrounds, call Redlands Coast home. Seniors Month is a fantastic opportunity for them to develop more social connections as our community comes together to support and celebrate their importance.

“Our city’s dedication to this is reflected in Council’s Redlands Coast Age-friendly Action Plan 2021-2026.”

Activities organised by Council’s Redlands Coast Seniors Month Grants recipients include:

  • Showcasing Seniors (hobbies and crafts): Bay Islands Community Services, Saturday October 2, 8am -2pm, Russell Island.
  • Walking Basketball for Seniors: RedCity Roar Basketball Association, Tuesdays, 5, 12 and 19 October, 9am to noon, Capalaba PCYC.
  • Seniors Walk: Redland District Committee on the Ageing Inc, Sunday 10 October, from 7am, through Redlands Coast parklands.
  • Dementia Friendly Communities Education and Awareness project: Redlands Coast Dementia Community Alliance, Monday 11 October, from 10.15am.
  • Redlands Hit Up for Seniors Social Tennis: Redland Bay Tennis Club, Redland Bay, Thursday 14 October
  • Aged Care Expo: Coochiemudlo Island Men’s Shed Inc with assistance from Redland District Committee on the Ageing, Friday 15 October, 9am to noon.
  • Inter-island seniors soccer fun match: Bay Islands United Football Club, Sunday 17 October, 10am, Russell Island sports field.
  • Seniors Celebration: Belgravia Foundation Pty Ltd, Wednesday 20 October to Friday 22 October, Cleveland Aquatic Centre.
  • U3A Come & Try Day: U3A Redlands District Inc, Wednesday 20 October, 9.30am to 2pm.
  • Senior Tech Expo: STAR Community Services, Thursday 21 October, 9am to noon.
  • Quandamooka Elders lunch: Goompi Give and Grow Ltd, date to be decided.
  • Redlands Coast Inspiring Seniors morning tea and awards 2021: Blue Care, Tuesday 16 November

For further details on the events, please contact the individual community groups.

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Council delivers car-share scheme at Redland Bay Marina


September 28, 2021

Redland City Council has awarded a contract for a two-year car-share scheme at Redland Bay Marina, Weinam Creek.

Mayor Karen Williams said the recent Expression of Interest and subsequent tender process followed a successful car-share trial conducted at the marina from August 2020 to April 2021.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams with Bay Islands Car Share owner Aaron Pipkorn, left, and Cr Mark Edwards, right.

“The trial offered island residents access to a conveniently parked vehicle on the mainland without the overheads associated with owning one,” Cr Williams said.

“It proved very popular, with the trial operator reporting a doubling in car-share members and a 60 per cent increase in the number of car-share trips each week.

“The trial clearly demonstrated the viability of the initiative in the long term, so I am delighted Council is able to extend the scheme for another two years from 4 October 2021 through a contract with Bay Islands Car Share.

“Hopefully the trend of increased usage will continue and there will be a corresponding rise in the number of car parking spaces which will become available.”

Cr Williams said the car-share scheme was one of a number of options Council was investigating to help alleviate the high demand for car parking at Redland Bay Marina.

“Car-share schemes have been identified in the Redlands Coast Transport Strategy as a potential solution to deliver good transport outcomes, with benefits such as increased turnover and supply of car parks in the area,” she said.

Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards said Bay Islands Car Share, which also conducted the trial, would operate eight dedicated car-share spaces between the Coast Guard building and the bus interchange.

“These spaces are located opposite the four which were used during the trial, and are still in close proximity to the ferry terminal,” Cr Edwards said.

“The trial showed island residents supported the scheme and there was a consistent increase in usage as a result of having dedicated car parks.”

The eight car-share parking spaces will be clearly identified with signage.

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Live & Local micro-festival hits right note on Redlands Coast


September 24, 2021

The Redlands Coast music industry will receive a welcome boost through a Live and Local micro-festival to be held over three days from 22-24 October 2021.

Radioceans

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the event aimed to help the music industry recover from the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.

“The past 21 months have been challenging for the entertainment industry, with many musicians impacted due to the cancellation of events, closed venues and limited paid performance opportunities,” she said.

“It will be great to see local musicians back doing what they do best – entertaining our community.”

The program line-up includes:

Friday 22 October

  • The RPAC Stage – located at Kyling Corner near The Bench and The Office on Middle, Middle St, Cleveland – Jax Swan, Zac Bnjmn, Arkism, The Febs

Saturday 23 October

  • The Fiction Bar, Raby Bay Harbour, Cleveland – Peppermint Ollie, Josh Lovegrove
  • The Anchor by the Bay, Raby Bay Harbour, Cleveland – Honey Dukes, Scott Walter
  • The Twilight Makers’ Market Stage, Raby Bay Harbour, Cleveland – Radioceans, Yoyo Tuki, Adam James, Joe Geia Band

Sunday 24 October

  • The Binary Music Stage, Bloomfield St, Cleveland – Rose Rogers, Paula Boo, Clara Durbidge, Mama Juju & The Jam Tarts

Mama Juju & The Jam Tarts

Redlands Coast Live and Local micro-festival curator Nix Gross said the event would showcase live original music organised by the creative community.

“I am passionate about creating forward movement and constancy of performance opportunities to support our Redlands Coast artists’ livelihoods,” Ms Gross said.

“All businesses engaged are super excited. Redland Performing Arts Centre, venues and Council are also keenly supportive in building an active live music precinct in the Redlands Coast area.”

The Live and Local Redlands Coast program is supported by Redland City Council, in partnership with Creative Arts Alliance, Live Music Office Australia, QMusic and APRA/AMCOS.

For more information on the Live and Local Redlands Coast micro-festival, visit redland.qld.gov.au

As well as performance opportunities, Live & Local is connecting all musicians from the region with two days of free, high-quality professional development delivered in partnership with Queensland’s peak body, QMusic.

It will include professional development sessions, covering both business and artist-specific topics, and aims to create paid opportunities for small businesses including technical crew, photographers, videographers, curators and arts workers.

The Redlands Coast Music Industry Professional Development Session facilitated by QMusic will be at Redland Performing Arts Centre on 11 and 12 October from 6-8pm.

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BMX riders on track at Wellington Point park


September 22, 2021

A new BMX track has opened as part of a $471,000 upgrade of a Wellington Point park.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the works carried out at EGW Wood Park at Wellington Point were funded under the second phase of the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program.

“This year Council is investing $7 million in local parks and playground, taking the spend in the past two years to around $20 million. And this funding from the Australian Government is part of more than $5.3 million being invested in Redlands Coast community infrastructure under phase 2 of the LRCI stimulus funding,” Cr Williams said.

“We have some of the best parks in South East Queensland and this investment will give local families even more reason to get out and enjoy time together.”

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams, left, and Cr Wendy Boglary check out the expanded and improved BMX track at EGW Wood Park, Wellington Point.

Division 1 Councillor Wendy Boglary said the new BMX pump track integrated into the existing track and included multiple loops.

“The upgrade also included installing sandstone blocks, a picnic table, seating and shelter, as well as a drinking fountain with bottle filler, and also a tap and dog bowl,” Cr Boglary said.

“Improvements were also made to the footpaths servicing the park and changes to the cricket nets, while more plants and turf were put in.”

It is stage 2 of recent upgrades for the park, with stage 1 funded through Council’s Community Infrastructure Program in 2019, Cr Boglary said.

The Australian Government’s LRCI program supports local councils to deliver priority projects while supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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276,000kg of paint and packaging diverted from landfill


September 21, 2021

Redland Coast residents and tradies have diverted 276,592kg of paint and packaging from landfill over the past three years.

Mayor Karen Williams said Redland City Council had worked with the Paintback Scheme since its inception in July 2018 to divert unwanted paint products through the Redland Bay Recycling and Waste Centre.

Redland City mayor Karen Williams, centre, at the Paintback facility at the Redland Bay Recycling and Waste Centre with operations officer Emma Georget, left, and transfer attendant Kerri Watton, right.

“In our continuous journey towards a circular economy, it is important that Council seeks out innovative partnerships to dispose of all sorts of waste, so that, where possible, it goes on to have another life,” Cr Williams said.

“Paintback is one such partnership, keeping toxic materials out of drains and kerbside collection bins – and ultimately waterways and landfill – with its collection site at Redland Bay Recycling and Waste Centre.

“I encourage residents and commercial operators to continue to bring paint that can’t be reused into Redland Bay Recycling and Waste Centre to give it a second life.”

Deputy Mayor and Division 6 Councillor Julie Talty said that while it cost nothing to drop off up to 100 litres of unwanted paint per visit, the paint did need to be secured in containers of 20 litres or less.

“From Redland Bay Recycling and Waste Centre, the unwanted paint is transported for treatment and repurposing,” she said.

“Currently, it’s being turned into an alternative fuel source replacing coal or having the water extracted and used by other industries, reducing the need to use mains water.

“I understand Paintback is funding research into how it can improve the recovery of paint and pails to reduce demand on virgin resources.”

A resident uses the Paintback facility at the Redland Bay Recycling and Waste Centre.

The following items are accepted:

  • Interior and exterior paint (including architectural paint) – water and solvent based
  • Deck coatings
  • Floor paints
  • Primers
  • Undercoats
  • Sealers
  • Stains
  • Shellacs
  • Varnishes
  • Urethanes
  • Wood coatings (containing no pesticides).
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