Community feedback to inform vision for Birkdale Community Precinct

Redland City Council today voted to develop a vision for Birkdale Community Precinct, based on a huge response from the community.

Mayor Karen Williams thanked the community for having its say on ideas for the 62ha site, including younger residents who Council heard from in greater proportion than it usually does for Council engagements.

“We heard from all age groups, saw some 3,000 people visit the site for open days; had more than 25,000 interactions online; 1600 surveys completed; about 700 people attending pop-ups across the city; and held a series of ideas forums involving school students, youth groups and interested stakeholders, community groups and organisations,” Cr Williams said.

“The community engagement has provided a clear, well-rounded picture of what the community wants and expects for the transformation of the site, which will be a project spanning 25 years.”

The vision will incorporate five core themes into a future community-use precinct: environment/ecology; adventure/recreation; heritage/history; education/discovery; and agriculture/rural tradition.

Cr Williams said the core themes would be the building blocks for a world-class precinct that would serve Redlands Coast for generations to come.

“We received a strong response to our call for people to tell us what they wanted to see as part of what is one of the most exciting projects ever proposed on Redlands Coast,” she said.

“The community told us they wanted picnic facilities, cycling and walking paths and circuits, access to Tingalpa Creek and natural areas, café and dining areas, community markets, camping and overnight stays, an amphitheatre and performance spaces, education and training facilities, paddock to plate, wildlife tourism and night walks.

“They supported the concept of a Redlands Coast Adventure Sports Precinct – including an Olympic-standard pool, Olympic-standard canoe slalom whitewater facility that could serve as a venue should Brisbane be selected as host of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, water play and adventure sports facilities.

“They also saw preserving the natural environment and our heritage as priorities.

“I thank the thousands of people who participated in the consultation for their invaluable submissions. This feedback has, and will continue to be, of enormous assistance in guiding us during the planning stages.”

Cr Williams said Council would continue to consult the community in the development of the precinct, including significant community engagement on a draft master plan.

An analysis of feedback data from the first round of consultation showed 17 per cent (approximately one in six) Redlands Coast households indicated an interest in the project by visiting the Birkdale Community Precinct Your Say page.

Eighty-eight per cent of respondents to the engagement were Redlands Coast residents, approximately three in four Birkdale households visited Council’s Your Say web page to seek information about the proposed development of the site and, importantly, all suburbs were represented in survey responses and submissions.

Cr Williams said Birkdale Community Precinct provided a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Council to develop a community-use area catering to the diverse tastes of the community and the uses they envisaged for the site.

“It presents the opportunity to create a world-class precinct that could drive employment, boost local and regional economies, become a significant drawcard for tourism and shine an even brighter light on the naturally wonderful Redlands Coast,” she said.

“The site has identified environmental, cultural and historical significance, which will be protected.

“This is a large precinct that has space for many exciting projects that would enhance lifestyle and benefit communities and economies, as well as bring forward important transport infrastructure.”

A dedicated Redlands Coast Your Say page was at the centre of the campaign.

It featured extensive facts about the site along Old Cleveland Road East at Birkdale, as well as videos, detailed commissioned reports, a virtual tour and the survey portal.

“It is evident the five themes that formed the basis of the engagement have all resonated with the community,” Cr Williams said.

“The huge response was staggering.

“It shows that the community really has a sense of ownership over this land and are genuinely interested in what it could become, not only for themselves, but for generations to come.”

For more information on Birkdale Community Precinct, go to: yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au/imagine

For the agenda from today’s Council meeting, go to: 27 May 2021 Agenda