Draft Birkdale Community Precinct Master Plan released this month

The next milestone in the creation of Birkdale Community Precinct will be reached later this month with the presentation of the site’s draft master plan for Redland City Council consideration.

The Draft Birkdale Community Precinct (BCP) Master Plan outlines suggested concepts for the 62-hectare site over the next two decades.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said a five-week community consultation campaign would begin on 30 April, should the draft master plan be approved by councillors for release.

“This next phase would allow for further input into the numerous concept plans that have been created with supporting strategies based on the phenomenal response from the community who told us what they wanted to see on the site, which formed the framework for the community-led BCP Vision document,” Cr Williams said.

“When we opened the site to the public for two days last year during the initial consultation period, the response was overwhelming, both in the number of visitors and in the positivity we received for the diverse opportunities for the precinct.

“I’m excited that two more public information days are scheduled on site during this next round of consultation – scheduled for Friday 13 May and Saturday 14 May.

“This will offer the chance for our community to see for themselves the exciting details that are in the Draft BCP Master Plan as they walk the site and talk with Council officers about the Plan.

“We have a once-in-a generation opportunity to transform this land at Birkdale into a world-class precinct of local, regional and national significance. Council worked long and hard over many years to prevent the land from being subdivided for residential development and to secure the site for community use.

“BCP is the largest and most diverse project of its kind ever delivered in the city. We are confident that, thanks largely to the invaluable input from residents, it will be a truly superb showcase of all that’s great about Redlands Coast.”

Division 10 Councillor Paul Bishop said the information days were another chance for community members and those from further afield to experience this much-loved property for themselves.

“Going forward this precinct will remain  open to everyone in the community, but for now this is a great opportunity for those interested to learn about its rich history, environmental significance and to imagine what it could become and, importantly, have your say on the master planning stage,” Cr Bishop said.

“The precinct includes two heritage listed sites – Willard’s Farm and the fascinating US Army-built World War II Radio Receiving Station, as well as a large parcel of land that remains significant for many wildlife species and local residents. Your voice and engagement is essential at this time as we plan for the future of the site.”

For the latest updates about BCP go to the Your Say website.