Delivering on the detail for Birkdale Community Precinct

The next stage of Birkdale Community Precinct is here and with it comes an opportunity to see the amount of detailed research and planning required to bring this highly anticipated and exciting 62-hectare community space to life.

Redland City Council has released the proposed Local Government Infrastructure Designation (LGID) for Birkdale Community Precinct (BCP) for public viewing and has called for submissions on its content.

The Redlands Coast community currently have until midnight on Monday 22 May, 2023, to read the LGID and supporting documents, and make a submission.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said an LGID is the statutory planning process required to deliver a community facilities precinct such as BCP and includes the preparation and assessment of an Environmental Assessment Report (EAR).

“This is to ensure that all planning matters, including the environment, design, traffic and transport, cultural heritage and hazards, and much more, are all addressed in detail,” Cr Williams said.

“A comprehensive EAR has been prepared that shows how any impacts of the proposed LGID will be mitigated or managed in accordance with statutory policy and best practice.”

Cr Williams said Council has been working diligently behind the scenes on a comprehensive delivery plan for BCP.

“The current LGID process follows two rounds of extensive community consultation over the past two years that informed the development of both the Vision for the site and the Birkdale Community Precinct Master Plan,” Cr Williams said.

“Similar to a large, complex development approval, the LGID will ensure that precinct-wide land use and activity rights are in accordance with the concepts and design principles in the Master Plan that – thanks to the previous consultations – reflect our community’s aspirations for the site.

“As explained in the LGID, Development Applications will still be required for relevant works on site as they occur, and these will proceed through the usual public notification and approval processes.

“Making a submission on the LGID is yet another way the community can be involved in bringing this exciting precinct to life.

“Moving forward, the community will be with us on each step of the journey.

“An existing multi-year activation framework has already seen successful implementation of a pilot community partnerships program. Combined with a social value action plan, the activation framework will form the basis of a future deliverable, Bringing Birkdale Community Precinct to Life – Social & Community Activation plan.

“Birkdale Community Precinct is the largest community precinct project ever delivered by Council – it has lots of moving parts and it is essential we keep the community informed and able to have their input throughout all stages of its rollout.

“While we believe the intergenerational precinct is likely to cost approximately $300 million, the reality of operating a precinct of the scale and complexity of Birkdale Community Precinct is that the ultimate financial operating costs, and indeed the capital investment, will depend upon future decisions of Council, as well as the complex interconnectedness of those decisions.

“This city-shaping project includes the significant commitment by the Federal and State governments to fund the construction of the Redland Whitewater Centre that will be a host venue for Canoe Slalom events during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Council will also actively seek industry and government partners and grants to assist in its delivery, Cr Williams said.

To view the LGID documents and to make a submission (closing 22 May) visit Council’s Your Say site at: yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au/imagine.

Once consultation closes on the proposed LGID, Council will review all submissions it has received and prepare a consultation report summarising matters raised and how they have been addressed. It will also consider the outcomes of a state interest review by the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning.