Investment keeps Redlands Coast naturally wonderful

Redland City Council will spend more than $31 million enhancing and maintaining the city’s naturally wonderful parks, conservation areas and sports areas in 2020-21.

It builds on a multi-million-dollar program of park and playground upgrades across the city in recent years and follows the acquisition of key strategic land for community use, including the former Commonwealth land at Birkdale, historic Willard’s Farm, the Redlands Coast Regional Sport and Recreation Precinct at Mt Cotton and the former Department of Primary Industries land at Alexandra Hills.

Mayor Karen Williams said the Redland City budget, delivered today, includes $13.8 million for improving popular community parks and sports fields alone.

“There is $1.6 million for the Hanover Drive Park upgrade at Alexandra Hills, $1.3 million for Apex Park at Wellington Point, $1.1 million for Headland Park at Point Lookout and close to another $1 million for the next stage of Thornlands Community Park,” Cr Williams said.

“We have also seen substantial works either completed or underway in Raby Esplanade Park and at Pt Lookout Oval.

“These are just some of the parks across the city to benefit from major makeovers, as we know Redlanders love their outdoors spaces and we want them to be the best they can be.

“Simply maintaining our parks – mowing and cleaning to keep them in tip top shape and safe – will take the total investment to $30.2 million in 2020-21, while fire mitigation alone costs almost $2 million.”

Cr Williams said she was excited by the potential of the former Commonwealth land at 362-388 Old Cleveland Road East, Birkdale, which was acquired last December.

“Council has backed heritage protection for key features of the site, including the former US Army Radio Receiving Station used in World War II,” she said.

“We worked hard over several years to purchase this land to ensure it becomes a great community asset for Redlands Coast.”

Cr Williams said the commitment in this year’s Budget followed more than $3.5 million in park upgrades set to open in the coming week.

“I know Redlanders love their parks and they will have a whole lot more reason to love them with upgraded parks including Thornlands Community Park, which opens this Saturday; Raby Esplanade Park in Ormiston that opens mid next week; and Apex Park at Wellington Point,” Cr Williams said.

“As part of this year’s Budget we will continue that investment, providing plenty of exciting new parks for local families to enjoy.”

Cr Williams said Council was also committed to supporting sports groups, with major renewal projects planned for Thorneside’s William Taylor Memorial Sportsfield and Redland Bay’s Charlie Buckler Sportsfield.

“We also have earmarked $612,000 to progress the Redlands Coast Regional Sport and Recreation Precinct proposal for Heinemann Road, Mount Cotton,” Cr Williams said.

“The masterplan for this new multi-million-dollar regional sport and recreation precinct has been approved, with the project implemented in stages to provide exciting new sporting facilities.

“With our sports group particularly hard hit by measures to keep COVID-19 at bay, we have already moved quickly to provide them with access to a $50,000 operational funding pool from last year’s budget to help them continue supporting the local community.

“Council is also continuing to work with any clubs suffering financial hardship to ensure they are supported through COVID-19.”

Major parks and sportsground projects

Hanover Drive Park upgrade, Alexandra Hills, $1.6 million

Apex Park renewal, Wellington Point $1.3 million

Headland Park upgrade, Point Lookout $1.1 million

Thornlands Community Park stage 2B $996,000

William Taylor Memorial Sportsfield renewal, Thorneside $827,000

Charlie Buckler Sportsfield carpark renewal and expansion $800,000

Raby Esplanade Park stage 2 $777,000

Redlands Coast Regional Sport and Recreation Precinct $612,000

Go to our website at redland.qld.gov.au/budget for full budget information.