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.”

Redland City Council advises that Birkdale Recycling and Waste Centre (formerly known as Birkdale Waste Transfer Station) will temporarily close for site maintenance and upgrades from Wednesday, 1 July 2020.

Mayor Karen Williams said the closure was necessary for the safety of Council employees, contractors and the community.

“Works are likely to continue until mid-August, weather permitting, mainly during daylight hours from Mondays to Saturdays, but with the possibility of some night works,” she said.

“Every effort will be made to minimise noise and dust by using a water truck for dust suppression, and working between 6am and 6pm.”

Cr Williams encouraged residents to either hold onto waste and recyclables or make use of the Redland Bay Recycling and Waste Centre while the Birkdale facility was closed, with commercial operators being asked to use alternative facilities during this period.

“COVID-19 social distancing rules and extra safety conditions are still in place at all Council recycling and waste centres, so please remain patient,” she said.

“Limits on the number of visitors may cause delays on entry, particularly at peak times, such as weekends.”

Division 8 Councillor Tracey Huges said she acknowledged the temporary closure may be an inconvenience for some people.

“I appreciate the community’s patience and understanding while these vital works are completed,” she said.

“Ensuring the safety of the community and of Council’s employees and contractors is paramount.

“This is a short term closure that will deliver much needed maintenance and upgrades.”

Redland Bay Recycling and Waste Centre, located at 761–789 German Church Road, is open seven days a week from 7am–5pm.

Vehicles must arrive before 4.45pm to gain access.

This facility only accepts residential waste in vehicles with a gross combination vehicle mass (GCVM) of less than 4.5 tonnes.

The following commercial items are not accepted at Redland Bay Recycling and Waste Centre:
• Commercially generated or transported fibro, cement sheeting and asbestos-containing material. Redland Bay only accepts residential quantities (up to 10m2)
• Commercial bricks and concrete
• Commercial and industrial mixed waste in vehicles greater than 4.5t GCVM

Commercial operators are encouraged to go to alternative locations where possible during this time. These may include:
• Chandler Resource Recovery Centre (Brisbane City Council), Tilley Road, Chandler – vehicles less than 4.5 tonnes GCVM
• Resource Recoveries and Recycling, 706 Mount Cotton Road, Sheldon – does not accept Commercial and Industrial waste
• Carbrook Waste and Recycling Facility (Logan City Council), 1801 Mount Cotton Road, Cornubia – vehicles less than 4.5t GCVM

The procedure for Southern Moreton Bay Island property owners to purchase surplus, Council-owned freehold land that adjoins their property has been simplified after Council this week agreed to streamline the process.

The Southern Moreton Bay Islands include Russell, Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra islands, with the new process applying to approximately 345 of the 4200 Council-owned blocks on these islands.

Mayor Karen Williams said Council regularly received requests from SMBI property owners who were interested in purchasing Council land that was situated next to their property.

“In the past, these have been dealt with on a case by case basis, with many sales not proceeding due to the time and cost of processing one-off requests,” she said.

“However, we now have standard assessment criteria that allows these purchase requests to be processed in a more timely manner.

“The assessment criteria must be met before a sale could proceed but, generally, the land under consideration would be zoned for residential purposes.

“There are benefits in this to property owners, who can enjoy the benefits of a larger property, and to the city in terms of increased revenue of an estimated $80,000 to $120,000 per year for land that is surplus to Council needs and offers no broader community benefit.”

Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards said he was pleased to see a simplified process in place for SMBI property owners.

“Where all relevant criteria is met, the property would be offered to interested, adjoining property owners at the assessed market value,” he said.

“This removes the previous need for tender or auction of the land, allowing more SMBI property owners to amalgamate their land with surplus Council land.

“It’s a good move for both property owners and Redlands Coast.”

Under the assessment criteria:

• Adjoining owners would be expected to pay all costs associated with any sale
• The contract of sale would depend on purchasers agreeing to obtain approval to amalgamate the land with their existing property
• The sale would only proceed if other adjoining property owners have indicated they have no interest in buying the land
• Council will only consider selling land zoned non-residential where exceptional circumstances have been demonstrated
• An assessment will be made of whether the land serves an operational need for Council

Any sale of the blocks is through application by adjoining land owners, followed by the operational assessment.

Redland City Council will temporarily close a section of Shore Street West, Cleveland to undertake sewer maintenance works overnight from Sunday 31 May to Friday 12 June 2020.

The west bound lane of Shore Street West, between Wynyard and Waterloo streets, will be partially closed from 7pm to 5am for this work, weather permitting.

The east bound lane is expected to remain open.

To complete the work, the contractors will need to use machinery and tools that will generate noise, and every effort will be made to keep noise levels to a minimum, with steps taken to mitigate noise wherever possible.

To contact Council, call 3829 8999 or email rcc@redland.qld.gov.au

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams has applauded local businesses that have quickly adapted to meet demand for medical-grade equipment and sanitiser during the COVID-19 response.

Cr Williams said a group of Redlands Coast businesses including Cleveland manufacturers Shine Precision Industries, Asterisco Group, Alchemy Cordials and Dye-Pac and Capalaba’s Freelance Robotics had been exceptional in the way they had rapidly evolved.

“They and others like them are great examples of how Redlands Coast businesses have been creative, innovative and flexible in the face of the coronavirus pandemic,” Cr Williams said.

“They identified what was needed and what they needed to do to ensure the health of their businesses and the community and that is commendable.”

Cr Williams, who visited the Enterprise Street businesses Shine Precision and Asterisco Group on Thursday to say thank you on behalf of Redlands Coast, said Council had developed a suite of measures to help local businesses get through the pandemic.

“These range from advice and assistance in accessing federal and state financial support to targeted grants and financial hardship assistance,” Cr Williams said.

“Council is also boosting its ‘buy local’ preference, which is already having results with a four per cent increase in local spend in the last three months.

“We are also seeking to bring forward more than $60 million in infrastructure spending to recharge the local economy.

“We need our local businesses and employers to succeed for everyone’s sake, which makes it so pleasing to see businesses like Shine Industries, Asterisco, Alchemy Cordials, Dye-Pac and Freelance Robotics respond so brilliantly.”

Shine Precision Industries’ Ian Boileau said his company, which is heavily involved in the aerospace and defence sectors, identified Australia’s vulnerability to extreme shortages of medical supplies and immediately geared up to produce about 2000 medical-grade face shields and masks a week on a “not for profit basis”.

“We also see a huge opportunity and need for medical equipment supplies, now and post-Covid-19,” Mr Boileau said.

“We have established ourselves on Redlands Coast as a company that has a huge apprenticeship program, and plans for extensive growth, which in turn means hiring of more staff. Training and growth of our staff is our highest priority.”

Asterisco Group’s Brendan Armstrong, whose company manufactures leading international hygiene, sanitation and coatings brands, said the group was able to team with Enterprise Street neighbours Alchemy Cordials to produce a 65 percent alcohol gel-based hand sanitiser.

“Production of this under the Asterisk Hygiene banner is planned to be ongoing and a long lasting partnership is expected with Alchemy Cordials,” he said.

“We also have further products to announce in coming weeks to support the narrative of ‘The Power is in Your Hands’.”

Freelance Robotics, which specialises in the development of automation and mechatronics products, has been assisting with the provision of personal protective equipment and pandemic management technology.

Dye-Pac, which manufactures printing dyes and inks, has repurposed some capabilities to produce clinical-grade hand sanitiser spray.

To stay connected with what’s happening locally during the current situation, go to redland.qld.gov.au/COVID19 or, for health issues, visit www.health.qld.gov.au

The team at Redland City Council would like to wish residents a very happy Easter and thank you for your awesome response to measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus in our community.

We understand that you will miss our wonderful Redlands Coast outdoors lifestyle this Easter but it is so important that we all heed the State Government’s rules to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and only leave our homes for essential reasons, such as to work or volunteer, get food and essential supplies, provide assistance to an immediate family member or to avoid illness or to escape harm.

Yes, you can also head outdoors to exercise but please observe social distancing. And be aware that while members of a household can leave home together as long as you abide by the State Government’s confinement rules, you can only be accompanied by one other person not from your household unless you are in need of physical assistance, when you can be accompanied by more than one carer or support worker.

Playgrounds, skate parks, outside gyms and the like remain closed and police will be monitoring popular Redlands Coast holiday spots to ensure the confinement rules are observed in the interests of our health and safety. Officers are also at Cleveland’s Toondah Harbour to that check travel to North Stradbroke Island is within the rules.

While you may be home, we want to let you know that you are not alone. Crews are on standby during the break to deal with emergencies and our libraries, galleries and IndigiScapes have a host of fun and engaging activities available online. The library has a great selection of audio books and e-books, as well as Kanopy for movies and Freegal for music.

And please be reassured that, as the library return chutes are closed, any books you may have in possession don’t need to be returned for the time being and there will be no fees for overdue items.

While home, why not share your Easter and “staycation” experiences with others at #RCKindness and spread some cheer? You can get regular doses of Redlands Coast Kindness messages at our local radio station, Bay FM (100.3).

Meanwhile, your kerbside bin collections will continue as usual over the Easter break, with all waste transfer stations closed on Good Friday. Remember, trips to waste transfer stations must be essential, in line with the State Government’s directive to only leave home if absolutely necessary, so fully utilise your bin service first and avoid generating any unnecessary waste. When open, social distancing and safety requirements apply at waste transfer station which may mean considerable delays, so allow time and be patient. And where there is a fee, it will only be accepted via EFT or account.

Our Customer Service Centre phones will be closed for general business and inquiries from 5pm on Thursday to 8am on Tuesday 14th April but, for emergencies, you can still call 3829 8999 and our after-hours team will assist.

The Customer Service Counter in Cleveland will be closed from 4.30pm on Thursday, re-opening at 8.30am on Tuesday 14th April.

For more information about COVID-19 and the response, go to www.health.qld.gov.au or www.redland.qld.gov.au/covid19.

Council’s land assessment studies into the former Commonwealth land at 362-388 Old Cleveland Road East, Birkdale are underway, with Council this week noting a status update report.

Land activities include the following:

Council has engaged an ecologist to report on the ecological values of the property and prepare a management plan for the land’s conservation area, to meet contractual arrangements for long-term protection and conservation of koalas and koala habitat, a subtropical and temperate coastal saltmarsh ecological community and other ecological values within the land’s conservation area.

A heritage consultant has also been engaged to conduct a review of Indigenous, historic and natural heritage values, and to prepare a Heritage Management Plan that Council will be required to implement.

A planning consultant has commenced work on a planning investigation that will give Council a clear understanding of the statutory framework and physical attributes associated with the land, an assessment of opportunities and constraints and details of any information gaps.

Since Council took ownership of the property late last year, assessments have also been carried out relating to site safety and security, general land maintenance, including mowing, and weed and fire management.

The first phase of Council’s community engagement on the land is still underway, with members of the public asked to share their stories and knowledge of the land to help Council understand its values to the community.

For more information on the consultation, visit the project page on Council’s Your Say site.

A further report following completion of all relevant studies and management plans will be presented to Council later this year.

Redland City Council has resolved to enter an interim agreement with the State Government for a minimum of six months for the management of the Bay Islands Aquatic Centre.

This interim agreement will allow time to conduct further on the ground, face to face community consultation and ensure a range of appropriate long-term management models are explored.

Council recognises the important service the pool provides to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands community and is eager to find a practical and cost effective management arrangement that retains both community access and school-based usage.

Last year Council consulted with the users and broader community to gauge views on the current and future management of the facility.

Island communities were generally in favour of Council continuing to manage the popular facility.

Residents also expressed a desire for longer and more consistent opening hours, a longer season (facilitated by the installation of a heat pump), more seating on the grass area, availability of seasonal tickets and more flexible pricing options.

The existing agreement with the State of Queensland is due to expire on 19 April 2020.