Council to make a submission on Willards Farm state heritage listing application


September 15, 2021

Redland City Council has moved to ensure work to protect the historic Willard’s Farm can start as soon as possible while the Queensland Heritage Council considers another application from a small group of neighbouring residents calling for the property to be listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.

Mayor Karen Williams said Council supported the community’s desire that Willards Farm be protected but was concerned the application currently before the Queensland Heritage Council could delay restoration works on the homestead and farm buildings.

Historic Willards Farm at Birkdale Community Precinct.

“Council bought this property in 2016 to save it from demolition, which had been approved by a private certifier, and prevent the land from being developed into residential housing,” she said.

“We also included the farmstead it on our Heritage Places Register to help protect its local heritage.”

“We are committed to ensuring this piece of local history is protected and have $250,000 allocated this financial year to plan the restoration of the Willards Farm homestead and farm buildings to protect the property for future generations to enjoy.

“Unfortunately, the application from a small group of residents to list the property on the Queensland Heritage Register will delay this body of work and subsequently the restoration works, as the application creates uncertainty in the scope and timing of design works.”

Cr Williams noted that a previous application made in 2015 to have the property listed on the Queensland Heritage Register was denied by the State Heritage Council, and said Council’s initial submission to the Queensland Heritage Council would seek to clarify inaccuracies in the new application.

“As the owner of the site and the local government authority responsible for planning the site, we need to make sure the community has accurate information, so we will be correcting some inaccuracies in the application with the Queensland Heritage Council,” Cr Williams said.

“This includes a suggestion there will be large scale development on the site that will threaten known heritage values. We have already done a great deal of work to identify and protect heritage on the site and any suggestion this won’t occur is just inaccurate and puts at risk the projects the community has told us they want to see delivered.”

“We are committed to the protection and preservation of Willards Farm, which is located on Old Cleveland Road East and is part of Birkdale Community Precinct.

“Earlier this year we asked the community what they would like to see on the Birkdale Community Precinct, resulting in an exciting vision that includes protecting and celebrating Willards Farm, while also delivering new recreation spaces such as a water park for the community.

“Council will also make a further submission once the recommendation by the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment and Science is received and before the Queensland Heritage Council’s final determination.

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Council to lobby State Government to introduce water leaks rebate


September 15, 2021

Redland City Council today voted unanimously to lobby the Queensland Government to introduce a policy to reimburse residents for concealed water leaks.

Mayor Karen Williams said the Government had a moral obligation to implement a policy to complement a Council reimbursement policy already in place.

“Council is seeking a collaboration with the State Government by supporting a new State Government bulk water concealed leaks policy,” she said.

“The State Government is responsible for more than 80 per cent of resident’s water consumption price, yet offers no assistance at all if a Redlands Coast resident finds a concealed leak.

“Council’s component of a resident’s water consumption price is about 16 per cent and we already have our own policy in place to reimburse residents for this component.

“They can claim a rebate from Council covering a portion of the lost water costs, but the vast majority of the charge has been levied by the State Government, which disappointingly has no policy to assist in the event of a leak.”

Total water charges to Redlands Coast residents are currently included in rates notices issued by Council.

  • Council retail water price – $0.629 per kilolitre
  • State bulk water price – $3.231 per kilolitre.

“State-imposed bulk water charges have more than doubled since 2012 and Council believes the Government has a moral obligation to reimburse some of the funds it receives from residents who discover a concealed leak on their property,” Cr Williams said.

“We have been lobbying the State unsuccessfully for many years to accept their responsibility and implement a concealed leaks policy to complement our own.

“Our pleas have so far fallen on deaf ears, but now Council has urged local State MPs to consider the inequity that currently exists and support our crusade to convince the Government of the need to soften its thinking and do something for hard-hit residents.

“I know some of our fellow South East Queensland Councils have had similar situations and no doubt they will support our calls for such a policy.”

Council resolved today to write to the Government and Seqwater and request they support Council’s existing concealed leaks policy by implementing a new policy to cover the State Government’s bulk water component of water consumption in Redland City.

To allow time to enact changes for next year’s Budget, Council has asked for the State Government to advise if it enacted such a policy by February 2022.

Subject to a State concealed leaks policy being implemented by February next year, Council will then consider any policy change to complement the new bulk water rebate to further assist ratepayers.

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STAR – a wonderful contribution to our community: Mayor


September 15, 2021

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams today praised STAR Community Services for 25 years of “wonderful contribution” to the Redlands Coast community.

Cr Williams said STAR was one of the most recognisable community organisations on Redlands Coast and continued to play a vital role within the community.

“STAR Community Services has come a long way since its formation in 1996. This month marks 25 years of wonderful contribution to the Redlands Coast community,” she said.

“STAR General Manager Patsy Wilshire and her management team and the STAR Board can certainly be proud of their achievements to date, and their ongoing role in improving the quality of life for our elderly and disabled residents.”

In 1996 the then Redland Shire Council recognised that a large percentage of older people and people with disabilities in the Redlands did not have convenient and affordable transport services available to them.

In response, the Special Transport Assistance Redlands Association Incorporated – STAR – was established.

“Boasting an original 10 drivers and three office staff, the aim was to provide a quality, affordable transport service locally,” Cr Williams said.

“STAR has been doing this – and so much more – for the past 25 years. They have touched thousands of families and made life that little better for many thousands of seniors and disabled people.

“From the initial 10 drivers they now have a fleet of 73 vehicles supporting those with limited transport options, providing transport and care services to more than 8500 community members, with the support of almost 200 volunteers.

“STAR’s ever-expanding list of services now includes NDIS and Disability Support Services, a range of aged care services including community transport, home care packages, in-home companionship care, respite care, home maintenance and modifications and seniors wellbeing services.

“In addition to Redlands Coast, STAR is now servicing areas in Logan City, Gold Coast, Darling Downs and Ipswich.”

Volunteering Redlands is the volunteering arm of STAR Community services. More than 800 volunteers and more than 53 community organisations work in partnership with council, other community groups and institutions to drive volunteerism on Redlands Coast.

“If the true measure of a community is how it cares for its most vulnerable then Redlands Coast measures highly indeed, thanks in part to the dedication, compassion and friendly smiles of all involved with STAR Community Services,” Cr Williams said.

“For 25 years, they really have shone among our brightest of stars and thoroughly deserve our community’s heartfelt gratitude for making a difference.”

 

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Council adopts city-wide Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy


September 15, 2021

Redland City Council has today adopted its Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy (CHAS), a comprehensive, long-term, coastal hazard management plan.

The CHAS is a city-wide strategy to protect the city’s coastline and islands and includes recommended actions to help Council and other stakeholders, including property owners, adapt to coastal hazards such as erosion, storm tide inundation and sea level rise up to the year 2100.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams, who chaired the project’s steering committee, said the adoption of the CHAS was a great achievement for both Council and the Redlands Coast community.

“Today, we reached a key milestone in protecting Redlands Coast against coastal hazards,” she said.

“The CHAS assessed the vulnerability of infrastructure, assets and property to coastal hazards and identified a range of city-wide actions and adaptation responses to assist Council and other stakeholders, including property owners, utility providers, local businesses, and community organisations now and into the future.

“The strategy will help us implement cost-effective mitigation measures, manage development and growth, budget for higher costs, collaborate regionally and seek funding opportunities.

“I’d like to thank the community and external advisory group for being a part of this journey and providing feedback into several of the project’s phases and the draft strategy.”

Cr Williams said the CHAS outlined where coastal protection infrastructure and management strategies would be required, as well as the timing and triggers for these interventions.

“The CHAS recommends a range of actions to enhance Redlands Coast’s adaptive capacity by gathering and sharing information that in turn identifies how infrastructure and assets may need to be modified in response to emerging hazards,” she said.

“The next steps for Council include embedding the consideration of coastal hazard risks and adaptation actions into our planning practices and processes, planning and delivering coastal protection works and initiatives based on an improved understanding of risks and impacts and appropriate adaptation responses and timeframes, and engaging utility and service providers to assist them in adapting their infrastructure and assets to coastal hazards, to the benefit of the community.

“The recommended adaption actions will be continually informed by community input and ideas, new knowledge, and monitoring the effectiveness of actions, and I encourage everyone to visit Council’s online project page to view the final CHAS and look through the online resources.”

Council’s CHAS has been developed in line with and is partly funded through the Local Government Association of Queensland’s QCoast2100 program.

To view the CHAS or for more information about the project, please visit yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au/CHAS.

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Combined approach seeks regional waste solution


September 14, 2021

Three South East Queensland councils are united in a bid to apply for funding to help the business case for a new local recycling and waste recovery facility.

Logan City Council, Ipswich City Council and Redland City Council have formed the SEQ Sub-Regional Waste Alliance which represents more than 700,000 residents.

They have now lodged a joint funding application for a regional Material Recovery Facility (MRF) through the Queensland Recycling Modernisation Fund (QRMF), which has up to $40 million to invest in recycling solutions across the state.

A site for the new facility is yet to be determined, but if funding is secured, it is hoped it will be operational within three years.

It would recycle waste from all three councils.

Mayors from the three councils within the Alliance said the joint MRF project could stimulate investment, create jobs and help develop a sustainable local circular economy.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said a combined approach to recycling would help all councils in the Alliance deliver on the Queensland Government’s waste diversion targets.

“We have a shared goal within this Alliance to build a Material Recovery Facility and create a new, collaborative approach to recycling and waste management that will bring numerous benefits to our communities,” Cr Harding said.

“We need the Queensland and Australian governments to support the Alliance in delivering this important project for the SEQ region, the state and the nation.”

City of Logan Mayor Darren Power said partnering with other councils makes sense economically and environmentally.

“I know our community wants a cleaner, greener environment and we are delighted to be working with neighbouring councils to explore new and more efficient ways to recycle,” Cr Power said.

“This is a great opportunity for the other levels of government to support us through the QRMF to achieve positive outcomes for all three communities.”

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council recognises the importance of waste infrastructure in the improvement of waste management on Redlands Coast.

“In planning for the future, we need to ensure economies of scale by collaborating with others and planning for the right infrastructure and services at the right time,” Cr Williams said.

“We now have the opportunity to work with other South East Queensland councils to explore opportunities for shared resource recovery infrastructure and programs and I look forward to positive waste management outcomes for our communities.”

The SEQ Sub-Regional Waste Alliance was formed after a 2019 Expression of Interest (EOI) campaign seeking partners to help find innovative and efficient methods of waste disposal and resource recovery.

The worldwide EOI campaign was in response to significant changes in waste management in recent years.

The changes include tough new restrictions on sending items collected from yellow-lid bins to be recycled overseas.

In June this year, the SEQ Sub-Regional Waste Alliance agreed to develop a business case for a new MRF in the region and to seek funding support from other levels of government.

If sufficient funding is secured, the facility would be designed, constructed and operated by an experienced contractor selected through a tender process.

The proposal is the only MRF project involving three councils in South East Queensland.

The QRMF is a co-contribution fund between the Australian and Queensland Governments with each investing $20 million. Any funding granted must be matched dollar for dollar by the successful applicant.

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Mask wearing extended to 4pm on 24 September


September 10, 2021

Mask wearing requirements will remain until 4pm on 24 September in South East Queensland, including Redland City.

The Queensland Government made the announcement on Friday 10 September.

You must carry a face mask at all times and wear it in indoor spaces. You only need to wear a mask outdoors when you are unable to social distance. For more information read the updated roadmap for easing of restrictions.

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Redland City to host major business and jobs expo


September 8, 2021

Redland City Council is again supporting a major business and jobs expo to help local businesses thrive and to foster more employment opportunities.

Mayor Karen Williams said registrations were now open for the 4 November event which would offer business operators the ideal opportunity to network, buy and sell products and services, and attend business education workshops.

“Last year’s Redlands Coast Business and Jobs Expo was a great success so, on the back of another challenging year for many local businesses due to COVID-19, Council will again sponsor this expo as part of its commitment to helping our business community to recover and to continue providing local jobs,” Cr Williams said.

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

“It will provide access to specialised workshops, while allowing business operators to engage with job-related and training businesses and learn more about export opportunities, research and development and how to attract investment.”

This year’s expo, organised by The Small Business Expos and again at the Alexandra Hills Hotel and Convention Centre, is set to feature 145 stands supported by food vendors and live entertainment.

Cr Williams said Council was also supporting local businesses through other workshops in addition to hosting a business breakfast in partnership with Trade & Investment Queensland (TIQ) in mid-November with the focus on the New Zealand market.

“This business breakfast will present investment and marketing opportunities in New Zealand for Redlands Coast businesses to nurture and grow through exports. Additionally, the businesses will have an opportunity to engage with TIQ New Zealand in taking their business interests forward,” Cr Williams said.

DETAILS

When: 10am-4pm, Thursday 4 November 2021

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

Cost: Entry by gold coin donation. You must register to attend.

Info: smallbusinessexpos.com.au/redlands/

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Residents urged to sort their recyclables correctly


September 8, 2021

Redlands Coast residents are being urged to keep an eye on what they throw out and where they put it.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said approximately 16 per cent of the household general waste collected each week is made up of materials that could have been recycled.

“Redlands Coast generates 42,369 tonnes of general waste annually from kerbside wheelie bin collections. Some 6,779 tonnes, or approximately 16 per cent of that, is made up of recyclable materials that are unnecessarily going into landfill,” Cr Williams said.

“That’s equivalent to 917 extra waste trucks or 1.8 Olympic size swimming pools of recyclable material going literally to waste.

“When you think about what should go in your recycling bin, think about newspaper, paper, cardboard, glass jars and bottles, tin cans, and hard plastic items such as milk bottles, fruit punnets and takeaway containers.

“When clean and emptied, these items can all be recycled by placing them in the yellow-lid recycling bins.

“So let’s all watch our waste lines and be the sort of people who sort correctly.”

The breakdown of the 16 per cent of wasted weekly recyclables includes: paper/cardboard 9.6 per cent; hard plastics 3.39 per cent; metals 1.32 per cent; and glass 1.01 per cent.

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More time to help shape prized Redlands Coast park – survey closing date extended to 24 September 2021


September 8, 2021

Redland City Council is providing an extra two weeks during which those interested in the future of Thorneside’s William Taylor Memorial Sports Field will be able to have their say.

Mayor Karen Williams said that, while more than 180 people had already provided input, extending the survey period to 24 September would give more people the opportunity to review the draft site layout and improvements to the recreation area.

“The proposed upgrade at William Taylor Memorial Sports Field follows a recent renewal of the tennis courts and public cricket nets,” Cr Williams said.

“Council is still keen to hear what park features users enjoy. The two-minute survey focuses on the recreation area, including the theme of the play space and skate park, which includes the bike skills track, with space to provide views on the proposed site layout.

“While the survey will remain open until 24 September 2021, the competition to win one of three $100 gift cards will still end on 10 September 2021, so I would encourage people to get in early and not miss that opportunity.”

Division 10 Councillor Paul Bishop said numerous locals and other users had contacted him in support of the consultation and wanting to share their views about this sports park upgrade.

“William Taylor Memorial Sports Field is beloved in the Thorneside community. Having extra time for consultation will allow local residents, youth and families to offer feedback during week one of the holidays, which is very important,” Cr Bishop said.

“Officers have worked together with tenant clubs and identified some drainage, access and layout issues that need to be managed, with some changes proposed across the balance of the site. Local residents also have a lot of knowledge and wisdom that can help Council plans for this open space area, which includes Charles Toni Reserve.

“I’m pleased there will be further conversations with other user groups once the consultation period is finished.”

It is expected the detailed design for the William Taylor Memorial Sports Field will be finalised by June 2022, ready for construction when funding becomes available.

To complete the two minute survey and to find out more about the William Taylor Memorial Sports Field Upgrade, visit yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au.

The competition to win the three $100 gift cards will close on 10 September 2021, with gift card winners being selected via random draw.

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Planned burns scheduled – Russell Island


September 8, 2021

Redland City Council’s Parks and Conservation crews, along with Russell Island Rural Fire Service, will undertake hazard reduction burns on Russell Island between Wednesday 8 September and Saturday 11 September, weather conditions permitting.

The locations of the planned burns are:

  • Melomys Wetland at 4-10 Susan Street, 83-87 Glendale Road and 66-84 Glendale Road
  • Water Mouse Wetland at 47-71 Stradbroke Drive
  • Fern Terrace Bushland Refuge off Fern Terrace
  • Whistling Kite Conservation Area at 172-216 High Street.

Traffic control teams will be on site and advisory signs will be placed in locations where traffic may be impacted by smoke.

The purpose of the burns is to reduce the volume of forest litter fuel, which will assist with hazard reduction – reducing the fire danger and providing conditions essential for native regeneration.

It is appreciated that the burns may cause some inconvenience, however all attempts will be made to limit any smoke hazards.

For more information about Council’s planned burn program, visit redland.qld.gov.au/PlannedBurns.

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