Adventuring into Birkdale Community Precinct

Redland City Council is encouraging people to imagine exciting ideas for adventure sports as they have their say on a future vision for Birkdale Community Precinct.

Mayor Karen Williams said the 62-hectare precinct provided opportunity for a multitude of adventure and recreation-based uses.

“Council is committed to providing an Adventure Sports Precinct for Redlands Coast and it is one of the exciting ideas possible for Birkdale Community Precinct,” she said.

“A regional, integrated aquatic centre for Redlands Coast would include a world championship-level 50m pool while adventure sports facilities could include high ropes, zip lines, rock climbing, professional skateboarding, a lagoon and water play features.

“The integrated precinct would also include event space and amenities, with an amphitheatre.”

Cr Williams said such a transformation would bring more jobs to the local area and region during planning, construction and through to operation.

“It would generate a major boost to our economy,” she said.

“Part of an adventure sports precinct could be an Olympic-standard canoe slalom course that could be used for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games should south-east Queensland be the host.

“The whitewater and adventure sport aspects are part of an overall project that could be a game changer for the city.

“It is just one of the many ideas possible for the Birkdale site, though there are other possible locations for the adventure sports precinct across the city.”

Paddle Australia board director and long-time former Redlands Coast resident Andrew Trim said a whitewater facility would provide welcome opportunities for the sport.

“In the high-performance space, but just as importantly in the development recreation and increased participation space,” he said.

“A Queensland artificial course creates increased opportunities for high-performance athletes to train for major events on a reliable world class facility.

“This in itself is a major benefit.

“Having access to a course such as this would help Paddle Australia develop stronger pathways for our younger athletes; consistent access to a quality course is critical for the development of junior elite athletes.”

Mr Trim is a triple Olympian, having competed in canoe sprints in Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney, winning bronze (Atlanta) and silver (Sydney) medals in the K2 500m.

Living in Thorneside at the time, Mr Trim trained on Tingalpa Creek for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

“So many kilometres and hours were spent on that stretch of water,” Mr Trim, who lived on Redlands Coast from 1993 to just last year, said.

“The concept of an adventure sports precinct for that site is one of the most exciting developments for locals ever conceived for Redlands Coast.

“Having a course such as this would increase participation in the recreational side of paddling.

“Rafting, freestyle paddling and increased exposure to schools and recreational clubs would benefit the entire south-east Queensland community.”

Mr Trim said an adventure sports precinct’s legacy beyond a potential Olympic Games would involve the attraction of international competitions.

For more information about Council’s community consultation on possible future uses for Birkdale Community Precinct, visit yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au – see expert urban designers’ ideas, watch the videos, read the fact sheets, take a virtual tour of the precinct, and have your say.

Consultation on Birkdale Community Precinct closes on Tuesday 4 May 2021.