Inquiry recommendation made without all the relevant information

Redland City Council respects the intent of the Senate Inquiry into Australia’s Preparedness to host Commonwealth, Olympic, and Paralympic Games, but does not believe they have all the information required to make the recommendation they have made in regard to the Redland Whitewater Centre.

Birkdale Community Precinct, at Birkdale, will be home to the Redland Resilience Training Centre which incorporates the Redland Whitewater Centre. The whitewater centre will be capable of hosting international, national and state events before, during and long after the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, when it will be a host venue for Canoe Slalom competition.

Council has commissioned more than 20 independent studies to support evidence-based decision making in relation to the venue, its design and its legacy mode. These include environmental and ecological studies, social value assessments, and heritage impact assessments.

This evidence demonstrates that the venue and broader precinct will not have a detrimental environmental impact. Council has conducted its own financial investigations and there is confidence the venue will deliver positive financial returns for Council.

Council invited the Senate Committee to a briefing on the Redland Whitewater Centre as there are concerns regarding the accuracy of information shared by community groups in their submissions and at the Senate Hearing.

Council has been invited to provide a late submission to the Senate Inquiry and this is forthcoming.

The Queensland Government is undertaking a Project Validation Report for the Redland Whitewater Centre.

This process is ongoing until the State Government and the Federal Government endorse the Project Validation Report, so it is pre-emptive to form such an opinion as that expressed within the interim report.

Council is committed to the venue delivering a lasting legacy for our community, which is why Council has been building strategic partnerships to ensure the venue can also be used for emergency services training.

Council this week reconfirmed its commitment and support for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a Junior Games Partner.

The resolution at Wednesday’s General Meeting means Council is committed to realising the successful delivery of the Redland Whitewater Centre, which would be a host venue for the Canoe Slalom events at the Brisbane 2032 Games.