Council backs heritage listing recommendation for Birkdale community land

Redland City Council today backed a State Government recommendation for heritage protection of a former US Army Radio Receiving Station used in World War II.

Mayor Karen Williams said key heritage features located on the Council-owned land – including the main radio receiving building, surrounding yard and access road to Old Cleveland Road East – were included in the preferred boundary proposed for a State heritage listing.

“Council finalised purchase of the former Commonwealth land at 362-388 Old Cleveland Road East, Birkdale in December 2019, knowing of the Commonwealth’s intention to apply to the State Government for a heritage listing over part of the site,” Cr Williams said.

“The Australian Government has since applied to the Queensland Department of Environment and Science to have a portion of the historical site listed on the Queensland State Heritage Register.

“As part of this process, the Department of Environment and Science (DES) has prepared three possible options for the extent of the heritage listing and has asked Council for comments on these.

“Council supported the DES recommended boundary.

“This feedback will be passed onto the Queensland Heritage Council, which is expected to consider the matter on 26 June 2020.

“I worked hard over several years to purchase this land for the Redlands Coast community and Council has an obligation to manage the various heritage values on the site, irrespective of any State listing.

“Council engaged a consultant to undertake a site review and prepare a heritage management plan, the report for which will be finalised once the decision of the Queensland Heritage Council is known.

“Council’s review also includes heritage values of the property that don’t necessarily meet the criteria for listing on the State Government heritage register. This will include identifying heritage values that can be included on the local heritage register.”

Councillor for Division 10 Paul Bishop said it was a site with many stories, from the Quandamooka people through to early pioneers and the US-army radio receiving station technology that was used during World War II and was the radio headquarters for all in-coming communications in the fight against the Japanese Imperial Army.

“They were able to receive messages from across the world using encrypted technology that was the basis of the modern internet,” Cr Bishop said.

“I look forward to this site being protected and many more stories being told about this remarkable place.”