Create | Birkdale Community Precinct

Willards Farm is getting ready to welcome you Redlands Coast!

With restoration of the heritage-listed farmhouse and outbuildings now complete and landscaping soon to commence, works to install a temporary amenities block immediately adjacent the site have started and are expected to be completed by mid-February.

The amenities will support community use of the heritage-listed property when it opens later this year.

Redland City Council at this week’s General Meeting (15 May 2024) confirmed its continued support of the Redland Whitewater Centre.

A Council spokesperson said the decision followed previous Council resolutions, in April 2021 and September 2023, to commit to being a Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Brisbane 2032) Junior Games Partner.

“Council has confirmed its continued support for the Redland Whitewater Centre,” the Council spokesperson said.

“The resolution adopted at this week’s meeting noted that the Sport Venue Review panel report acknowledged the proposed whitewater centre presented a compelling case, with a sound financial model and strong legacy outcomes.

“The review panel findings noted the facility would provide a regional attraction that could have broader benefits to Redlands Coast and would provide a convenient training facility for Queensland Government Emergency Services, Queensland Surf Life Saving and other first responder agencies.

“Council noted the Queensland Government’s response to the recent Sport Venue Review: Independent Review of Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Venue Infrastructure report that recommended the project proceed subject to the continued support of Council.

“Council also noted that it will also refer the Birkdale Community Precinct, which includes the proposed Olympic venue site, for assessment under the Australian Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

“No construction, beyond heritage and maintenance works, will be undertaken on the site until the EPBC referral process has been decided.”

The spokesperson said the Redland Whitewater Centre – as part of the broader Birkdale Community Precinct – was a region-shaping project.

“Council undertook extensive consultation with the Redlands Coast community to design a precinct that would meet community needs as well as Games requirements to deliver a legacy project for the city,” the spokesperson said.

“According to the Trade and Investment Queensland website, the Games are forecast to drive more than 90,000 jobs per year, $3.5 billion in social benefits and more than $4.5 billion in tourism and trade boost for Queensland.

“Being an event venue city will give businesses and investors the confidence that our city is worthy of their attention, and Redlands Coast has a golden opportunity to participate under this once-in-a-lifetime spotlight.”

The Queensland Government’s Project Validation Report process on the Redland Whitewater Centre is in progress and, upon completion, will be considered by the Australian and Queensland governments for an investment decision.

Following consideration by the Australian and Queensland governments, anticipated to be later this year, summary Project Validation Report information will be released.

Council will also share the information with the community at that time.

The proposed Redland Whitewater Centre, to be located on about 18 per cent of the 26 hectare core parkland within the Birkdale Community Precinct, will be funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, and will be planned and delivered by the Queensland Government.

The total area for the Birkdale Community Precinct is 62 hectares, which comprises a 36-hectare conservation area. The proposed Redland Whitewater Centre will encompass about eight per cent of the total area of the precinct.

Three of the four historically significant rhombic antennae located at Birkdale Community Precinct are being removed so they can be safely stored prior to restoration and to enable construction across the site when approved.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said removal of the antennae planned for the end of January, subject to weather conditions, was vital for site safety and to ensure their ongoing preservation.

“Also known as the rhombic array, these antennae played an important role in world history,” Cr Williams said.

“Installed in several locations from 1943 as an integral part of the former World War II Radio Receiving Station, the array – along with others in Redlands Coast and Brisbane – was crucial for effective communications during the War in the Pacific.

“Records show that the two functions of the station were to listen to enemy broadcasts and receive encrypted messages from Washington DC, which were then relayed directly to General McArthur’s headquarters at Lennon’s Hotel in Brisbane.

“It is thought that the message that the Japanese surrender had occurred, and the war was over was relayed to this very station – you can imagine the joy and exultation of the people working here at the time.

“Redland City Council is honoured to be entrusted with helping ensure these important World War II artefacts are safeguarded for future generations.”

The historic rhombic antennae arrays are located to the east of the receiving station, well away from the site of the proposed Redland Whitewater Centre which is to the north-west of the receiving station. They are being removed now to simplify the construction of the precinct’s access roads and initial park space.

Division 10 Councillor Paul Bishop said the condition of the antennae has been fully recorded and the relocation approved by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science.

“The entire process of relocating, restoring and returning the antennae to the same position will be fully supervised by Australian Heritage Specialists,” Cr Bishop said.

“The three antennae leaving the precinct site will be stored safely before being restored and then returned to their precise locations.

“The remaining antenna cannot be removed without impacting important vegetation, and as it is unlikely to affect site safety due to its location, it will remain in-situ and be provided an extra level of protection while works are being carried out.”

As shown in the Birkdale Community Precinct Master Plan, the former World War II Radio Receiving Station will be the centrepiece of the precinct’s Communications Hub.

The 62-hectare Birkdale Community Precinct – designed for and by the Redlands Coast community – will feature seven hubs:

• Cultural Hub – a meeting point and launching pad for all the precinct offers.
• Willards Farm Food Hub – a celebration of farming heritage with a restored Willards Farmhouse, classic Victorian garden and space for outdoor food markets, restaurant, café and cooking school.
• Innovation Hub – an exhibition space showcasing the future of farm methodologies and techniques, agricultural technology and food production.
• Entertainment Hub – multiple outdoor spaces for local performers and touring artists as well as BBQs, picnic areas, oversized games and outdoor movies.
• Communications Hub – memorial and contemplation space paying homage to war and peace-keeping services, anchored by the former US Army-built World War II Radio Receiving Station.
• Recreation, Resilience and Adventure Sports Hub – Redlands Coast’s first public lagoon, whitewater centre as well as an adventure playground and running track.
• Conservation Hub – 2.8km of walking trails, interactive tours, wilderness experiences and enhanced koala habitat.

South-east Queensland residents have been invited to enter Redland City Council’s ‘Name the koala joey’ competition.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council launched the competition to find names for the joeys of ambassador koalas currently living in and around Birkdale Community Precinct.

“Birkdale Community Precinct is one of our important sentinel sites for koalas on Redlands Coast,” Cr Williams said.

“The eight ambassador koalas tracked and tagged within Birkdale Community Precinct contribute to Council’s understanding of koala movement and behaviour in an urban setting, and the better we understand that behaviour, the better our ability to improve conservation outcomes,” she said.

“We are fortunate to have some adorable koala joeys nearing their first birthdays, a time when joeys typically leave their mothers and find their home range.

“Naming the joeys helps with tracking family lines, creating a family tree and understanding the genetic history of each generation of koalas.

“These joeys – like the one released onto the site with its mother Jazza earlier this year – are true locals, born and raised on Redlands Coast, and we want south-east Queensland residents to give us suggestions for what to name them.

“Some great prizes are up for grabs, including tickets to a ‘Koalas in the Wild’ walk, double passes to a family theatre production at Redland Performing Arts Centre in 2024, and IndigiScapes gift vouchers.

“With the school holidays coming up, we’re asking our young people to express their creativity in coming up with some innovative names they think will best suit these important new members of the Redlands Coast koala family.”

Cr Williams said the koala joey naming competition was part of Council’s community engagement program to create awareness of koalas in urban areas.

“The Redlands Coast Koala Conservation Plan and Action Plan 2022-2027 outlines the extensive work undertaken by Council, our research partners, conservation groups and the community to continue protecting our koalas into the future,” she said.

“Increasing community connection through the koala joey naming competition is one example of how we can involve our community in this important work.”

Cr Williams said naming the joeys was an important part of the research program in place for koalas living in and around the Birkdale Community Precinct.

“Redlands Coast is home to one of the most significant urban koala populations in Australia and, just like in other places around the country, disease is one of our key concerns for this precious native animal,” Cr Williams said.

“Every two weeks the Detection Dogs for Conservation from the University of the Sunshine Coast track and check on the health of each ambassador koala living in and around the Birkdale Community Precinct.

“These regular health checks enable the chance to pick up and treat any illness or injury quickly, giving the best chance at a positive outcome for that koala.

“The work being done here goes further, contributing to a knowledge base that will help all koalas.”

The 62-hectare Birkdale Community Precinct – designed for and by the Redlands Coast community – will feature seven hubs:

• Cultural Hub – a meeting point and launching pad for all the precinct offers.
• Willards Farm Food Hub – a celebration of farming heritage with a restored Willards Farmhouse, classic Victorian garden and space for outdoor food markets, restaurant, café and cooking school.
• Innovation Hub – an exhibition space showcasing the future of farm methodologies and techniques, agricultural technology and food production.
• Entertainment Hub – multiple outdoor spaces for local performers and touring artists as well as BBQs, picnic areas, oversized games and outdoor movies.
• Communications Hub – memorial and contemplation space paying homage to war and peace-keeping services, anchored by the former US Army-built World War II Radio Receiving Station.
• Recreation, Resilience and Adventure Sports Hub – Redlands Coast’s first public lagoon, whitewater centre as well as an adventure playground and running track.
• Conservation Hub – 2.8km of walking trails, interactive tours, wilderness experiences and enhanced koala habitat.

How to enter the competition: Complete and submit your competition form by Friday 2 February, 2024, to be in the running to win some great prizes. Competition forms are available on the Birkdale Community Precinct Your Say page or request a form from one of the friendly staff at our Redland City Council libraries, customer service centres, the Redland Performing Arts Centre or Redlands IndigiScapes Centre.

Works have commenced to bring the former World War II Radio Receiving Station located within Birkdale Community Precinct into the 21^st century.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the historically important building, constructed by the US Signal Corps in 1943, was the centrepiece of the Communications Hub featured in the Birkdale Community Precinct Master Plan.

“This fascinating building has been an important communications centre for Redlands Coast and is in need of some essential repairs to help revitalise the structure prior to its future restoration,” Cr Williams said.

“Works have commenced, with the roof and gutters to be repaired in consultation with Australian Heritage Specialists to ensure protection of the building’s important historical values.

“At the same time, hazardous materials and some of the newer, unusable and unstable structures – added by past occupiers from 1950 onward – will be removed to make the area safer for Council staff, visitors and contractors.

“Electricity is already connected, and soon sewerage and WiFi connections will also be in place, helping prepare the building for its ultimate purpose as a community space within Birkdale Community Precinct.”

Cr Williams said work being undertaken by local restoration company Baroque Group Pty Ltd for the Willards Farm homestead and outbuildings on another section of Birkdale Community Precinct were also progressing well.

“We have reached a milestone in that the Baroque Group are preparing the homestead for restumping, which will provide a solid foundation for this legacy building into the future,” Cr Williams said.

Division 10 Councillor Paul Bishop said undertaking the works on the historical buildings was an important step at this stage of delivering Birkdale Community Precinct.

“The former radio receiving station was one of the first places in Australia to receive vital telecommunications, including the message that the Japanese had surrendered and World War II was over,” Cr Bishop said.

“This legacy building is one of only a handful of US Army-built radio receiving stations remaining in Australia and these important works will pave the way for its eventual restoration so it can be appreciated for generations to come.

“Australian Heritage Specialists are also overseeing the restoration of Willards Farm homestead and outbuildings to ensure the heritage values of the circa 1870s dairy farming property are carefully protected while work undertaken to revitalise its historic beauty.”

The structures to be removed at the former World War II Radio Receiving Station are the radio hut and telecommunications tower, with works expected to be completed by early 2024. Once works are completed, the building will be used as a temporary site office for Council staff and a central meeting point for visitors to Birkdale Community Precinct.

The restoration of Willards Farm homestead and outbuildings is expected to be completed in mid-2024.

The 62-hectare Birkdale Community Precinct – designed for and by the Redlands Coast community – will feature seven hubs:

• Cultural Hub – a meeting point and launching pad for all the precinct offers
• Willards Farm Food Hub – a celebration of farming heritage with a restored Willards Farmhouse, classic Victorian garden and space for outdoor food markets, restaurant, café and cooking school
• Innovation Hub – an exhibition space showcasing the future of farm methodologies and techniques, agricultural technology and food production
• Entertainment Hub – multiple outdoor spaces for local performers and touring artists as well as BBQs, picnic areas, oversized games and outdoor movies
• Communications Hub – memorial and contemplation space paying homage to war and peace-keeping services, anchored by the former US Army-built World War II Radio Receiving Station
• Recreation, Resilience & Adventure Sports Hub – Redlands Coast’s first public lagoon, whitewater centre as well as an adventure playground and running track
• Conservation Hub – 2.8km of walking trails, interactive tours, wilderness experiences and enhanced koala habitat.

Koala-proof fencing that will help protect the local koala population is being installed on the Old Cleveland Road East boundary of the Birkdale Community Precinct (BCP).

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the koala-proof fencing was a proactive measure that could help prevent vehicle strike of koalas and other wildlife along Old Cleveland Road East.

“Designed with input from an ecologist, the fencing will help stop koalas on the site from heading onto the busy roadway and instead guide them to move through the precinct and the Tingalpa Creek corridor,” Cr Williams said.

“In addition, koala escape poles will be installed along the fence to assist any koalas in the roadway area to enter the precinct site.”

Cr Williams said installation of the first stage of the koala-proof fencing would run from the Willards Farm homestead all the way to the northern point of the property at 380 Old Cleveland Road East.

“This is a reflection of Council’s commitment to protecting our Redlands Coast koalas and how the Birkdale Community Precinct demonstrates best practise koala management to help protect and enhance the koala population on the site,” she said.

“We have a small, healthy breeding population of koalas residing on the BCP, eight of which are collared and monitored, three with joeys.

“One of these is ‘Jazza’, a koala that was recently released onto the site, and her joey.

“A number of other koalas use the site, although we’re not sure yet whether they visit regularly or occasionally.”

Division 10 Councillor Paul Bishop said Bluetooth collars on the koalas indicated how they moved around the site.

“Partnership with research organisations helps in our understanding of which areas and trees are most favoured by koalas and enables Council to plan and develop more effective habitat enhancement projects. For example, the Gourmet Gum Leaves project being delivered in collaboration with researchers from the Australian National University,” Cr Bishop said.

“Whether it’s koala-proof fencing to help prevent death by vehicle strike, research for better nutrition, or regular health monitoring, Council is committed to working with experts on initiatives and programs that help improve conservation outcomes for this precious, endangered marsupial that is so important to our community and ecology.”

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.

Click here to view Council’s submission documents.

Redland City Council has thanked the Redlands Coast community for their participation in the latest consultation into the delivery of Birkdale Community Precinct.

At its general meeting today[13 September 2023], Council endorsed the summary report on the consultation phase of the precinct’s Local Government Infrastructure Designation (LGID), and thanked those who made submissions.

Public consultation was held from 21 April to 22 May, 2023, with 2300 active visits recorded during that period to the dedicated Birkdale Community Precinct Your Say webpage.

Mayor Karen Williams said a total of 172 submissions on the LGID were received, of which 92 were proforma submissions.

In endorsing the Birkdale Community Precinct LGID Consultation Summary Report and its submissions, Council noted that officers would continue to progress amendments to the LGID based on the report, Cr Williams said.

“The submissions will help shape the detail in the precinct’s LGID which is the statutory planning process required to deliver this amazing intergenerational project on 62 hectares in Birkdale,” she said.

“The Birkdale Community Precinct LGID will ensure that precinct-wide land use and activity rights have been established in accordance with the conceptual spatial layout and design principles to reflect the values and aspirations of our community and stakeholders that are incorporated in the Master Plan.”

The Birkdale Community Precinct Master Plan was adopted by Council at its general meeting on 15 March 2023.

Work to restore the historic Willards Farm homestead and outbuildings will start soon, with contractors this week undertaking preparation works at the site on Birkdale Community Precinct (BCP).

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the heritage values of the circa 1870s farming property would be carefully protected while work was undertaken to revitalise its historic beauty.

“Restoring this fabulous homestead – along with the milking shed, creamery, garage, inground well and elevated water tank – to its former glory is a project dear to many Redlands Coast residents’ hearts,” she said.

“The history of this property dates back many decades, but in 2016 it was facing demolition, prompting Council to step in and buy it for $1.45 million to protect its heritage for future generations.

“Since then, locals have shared some fascinating memories of the property and I know I’m not the only one looking forward to seeing new life breathed into these historically important buildings.”

Cr Williams said Willards Farm was a key hub and first stage of the 62-hectare BCP, an exciting intergenerational community destination.

“Its restoration kicks off a program of works that will ultimately see a precinct for our whole community, today and in the future,” she said.

“The restored Willards Farm will be the welcome gate to international visitors as they arrive for our world-class Olympic venue for the Brisbane 2032 Games, which will leave a legacy as the Resilience Training Centre of Excellence for Swift Water and Urban Flooding training.

“I am excited to share our unique history with the world.”

“The history of this property dates back many decades, but in 2016 it was facing demolition, prompting Council to step in and buy it for $1.45 million to protect its heritage for future generations.

“Since then, locals have shared some fascinating memories of the property and I know I’m not the only one looking forward to seeing new life breathed into these historically important buildings.”

Cr Williams said Willards Farm was a key hub and first stage of the 62-hectare BCP, an exciting intergenerational community destination.

“Its restoration kicks off a program of works that will ultimately see a precinct for our whole community, today and in the future,” she said.

“The restored Willards Farm will be the welcome gate to international visitors as they arrive for our world-class Olympic venue for the Brisbane 2032 Games, which will leave a legacy as the Resilience Training Centre of Excellence for Swift Water and Urban Flooding training.

“I am excited to share our unique history with the world.”