Council submission to Senate Inquiry backs Redland Whitewater Centre

With Redland City Council committed to its role as a Junior Games Delivery Partner for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Council has made a submission to the Senate Inquiry into Australia’s Preparedness to host Commonwealth, Olympic, and Paralympic Games.

Mayor Karen Williams said Council believed it was imperative that the Inquiry was provided with information about the comprehensive research, planning and community consultation Council had undertaken for the proposed Redland Whitewater Centre and Birkdale Community Precinct.

“We do not believe the Inquiry has all the information required to make the recommendation it did in a recent interim report in regard to the Redland Whitewater Centre,” she said.

“Our submission is in support of the Redland Whitewater Centre to be built at Birkdale Community Precinct.

“It was made to provide factual information on which the Inquiry could make accurate recommendations.

“Our submission also will address information that other parties may have submitted during the hearings.

“Council is aware of the local lobby groups views made in their address to the Inquiry, but is also aware those views do not represent all the evidence and facts.”

Cr Williams said Redland Whitewater Centre was a Queensland Government project for which the Queensland and Australian governments had committed funding for its construction.

“This whitewater centre will be capable of hosting international, national and state events before, during and long after the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” she said.

“The centre also has significant legacy opportunities as a swift-water rescue training facility, which will include a flooded urban landscape mockup, for State, national and Asia Pacific emergency services personnel.

“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.

“This evidence has demonstrated that the venue will not have a detrimental impact on the environment, and Council’s financial investigations show there is confidence the venue will deliver positive financial returns for Redlands Coast.

Cr Williams said the Queensland Government was currently undertaking a Project Validation Report for Redland Whitewater Centre.

“This process is ongoing until the Queensland and Australian governments endorse the Project Validation Report, so we believe it is pre-emptive to make the recommendation that was expressed within the interim report,” she said.

To read Council’s submission, go to the Birkdale Community Precinct page on Council’s Your Say site.