Create | Birkdale Community Precinct

Redland City Council has unveiled plans for what will become one of Queensland’s largest and most exciting parks, including Redlands Coast’s first ever swimming lagoon, and an adventure playground sure to be a hit with local families.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the Birkdale Community Precinct Master Plan that was adopted by Council at its general meeting on 15 March 2023 focussed on giving the 62 hectares of public space back to the community.

“Local families have been crying out for a project like this for years, and Council has listened by creating a Master Plan with the community for the community,” Cr Williams said.

“Brisbane has South Bank and New Farm Park, Townsville has the Strand and Cairns has the Esplanade, and now Redlands Coast will have Birkdale Community Precinct.

“This land was always owned by the community, but it was locked away as a Federal Government communications facility for decades. It is time it was opened up for the community to enjoy.

“After buying the property in 2019 to save it from being used for small-lot housing, Council has spent the last two years engaging with the community to create this exciting Master Plan.”

Cr Williams said Birkdale Community Precinct struck the perfect balance between the past and future.

“This Master Plan maps out a 20-year journey – so it has specifically been designed with our youth in mind – providing somewhere for kids to play, somewhere local bands will take to the stage and somewhere our youth can meet their friends,” she said.

“But just as importantly it also includes some exciting history that will be retained and celebrated, including the restoration of the 1870s Willards Farm, which is expected to begin later this year. Again this property was saved from demolition when Council bought it in 2016.

“We will also be breathing new life into the heritage-listed World War II Radio Receiving Station that sits at the heart of the precinct; delivering an historical precinct that commemorates Redlands’ role in the conflict in the Pacific.”

Cr Williams said the Birkdale Community Precinct Master Plan would ensure Redlands Coast was the focus of international attention as host of Olympic whitewater slalom events during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Knowing the eyes of the world will be on our community thanks to this precinct should provide a real sense of pride for every Redlander. This is your city and thanks to Birkdale Community Precinct we will have the opportunity to show the world why it is the best place to live,” she said.

“The whitewater venue is about so much more than the Olympics. It is being specifically designed as a swift-water and resilience training facility that will train emergency service agencies from across the world, meaning the skills perfected at Birkdale could quite literally save lives.”

Cr Williams said the Master Plan was rounded out with about 40 hectares of protected environmental land.

“As former farming land there are clearings in the centre of the property where we will build the playgrounds, stages and water play, ensuring the surrounding vegetation is protected,” she said.

“These areas have tracks and trails where residents will be able to take a stroll to appreciate our naturally wonderful lifestyle.

“We will also build a 2km running track around the perimeter, which will be a huge hit for local running groups.”

Division 10 Councillor Paul Bishop thanked the community for their engagement on this important project.

“In the years ahead I look forward to working together with the community to bring the many historic stories of the site to life,” Cr Bishop said.

“There are important educational opportunities on this site that help us understand our past in ways that can be appreciated by future generations.”

Redland City Council has welcomed the NSW State Government’s recent announcement of a $3.1 million investment to upgrade the Penrith Whitewater Stadium in preparation for the 2025 Canoe Slalom World Championships.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the two Councils were working together to ensure both the existing Penrith facility and the new Birkdale venue being delivered for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games were first class and continued to deliver legacies for their communities.

“We know the best way to deliver a first-class facility is to learn from others and our partnership with Penrith focuses on sharing information to ensure our Birkdale facility is not only used by tomorrow’s Olympic champions, but also delivers a lasting legacy for local families and businesses,” Cr Williams said.

“The announcement by the NSW State Government will allow us to work with Penrith as part of their upgrades and use that information to ensure the Birkdale venue is the best it can be.

“We have been working with Penrith City Council and Paddle Australia since last year as part of our plans for the Birkdale facility and, on behalf of the community, I congratulate them, the NSW Government and International Canoe Federation on the announcement.

“I will be writing to Penrith ... to arrange a discussion in the near future so we can start exchanging information as well as exploring training opportunities that will deliver significant tourism and economic benefits to both cities.

“It is exciting that we are working together to see two world-class Australian whitewater facilities come to fruition within the next decade, providing unrivalled opportunities for accessibility to this sport for all ages and abilities, including staging of elite competition, in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Birkdale Community Precinct will be home to the Redland Resilience Training Centre which incorporates the Redland Whitewater Centre.

The Redland Whitewater Centre will be capable of hosting international, national and state events before, during and long after the Brisbane 2032 Games, when it will be a host venue for Canoe Slalom competition.

The historic Willards Farm will start to be brought back to life from early in the new year after Redland City Council’s plans for the heritage-listed property at Birkdale Community Precinct (BCP) recently received State approval.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council had worked closely with the Department of Environment and Science to ensure the c1870s historic farming property could be revitalised for future generations to enjoy while protecting its exciting heritage values.

“If this property could talk it would tell stories of farming history dating back centuries that have helped forge our city’s identity today,” Cr Williams said.

“This history was set to be lost forever in 2016 when the property was facing demolition, prompting Council to step in and buy it for $1.45 million to protect its heritage for future generations.

“This is one of the oldest surviving examples of a farming homestead on Redlands Coast and I am pleased that the State has now approved our designs, paving the way for us to create a place for local families to visit and learn about our city’s farming history.

“State-approved restoration works will breathe new life into existing historic buildings including the original farmhouse and fencing, milking shed, creamery, inground well and elevated water tank, and era-specific landscape areas.”

Cr Williams said Willards Farm would be the first stage of the 62-hectare BCP, an exciting inter-generational community destination.

“Willards Farm covers about 8200 square metres and forms a key hub within the broader precinct that the community was consulted about in May this year," she said.

“Council’s 2022-2023 Budget includes $12.7 million for the BCP, including restoration work at Willards Farm."

Cr Williams acknowledged the work of Council and State officers in finalising plans for the historic property.

“It is an exciting milestone in the revitalisation of this property,” she said.

“The fact that our plans were approved within a matter of weeks is a testament to the quality of Council’s designs and the strong partnership Council has with the Department of Environment and Science.

“I would like to acknowledge the work of officers as well as the support of Minister Megan Scanlon in supporting Council’s proposal.”

Division 10 Councillor Paul Bishop said he was delighted that Willards Farm and associated buildings would be restored in accordance with best practice state heritage principles.

“This unique pastoral homestead anchors precinct, which also contains the state heritage-listed former US Army Radio Receiving Station,” Cr Bishop said.

“No other property in our part of the world contains remnant habitat, iconic species, evidence of First Nations occupation, pioneer structures hewn from timbers felled on site and the American Radio headquarters that helped transform global democracy during World War II.

“Everyone will want to learn about this place in years to come. Thanks to Council and all who have helped preserve these intrinsic and irreplaceable values.”

Redland City Council was not asked at its general meeting today (17 August, 2022) to approve earthworks and the “first stages” for the Birkdale Community Precinct (BCP) site.

Reporting of that as published on couriermail.com.au at 6.40am on Wednesday 17 August 2022 is incorrect.

At today’s meeting Council endorsed a community engagement summary report for the Draft BCP Master Plan and confirmed the preferred process for statutory planning of the site.

The $34 million mentioned in the article is a $34.5million carry over of capital funds not spent last financial year and is across all of council capital works. As it is a carry over there is no additional cost to ratepayers.

A total of $147,922 from the $34.5 million carried over will be used for restoration work at Willards Farm this financial year.

In the 2022/2023 Council Budget, $12.7 million was already allocated to fund the next stage of Birkdale Community Precinct.

The couriermail.com.au article also incorrectly reports that the Federal Government “gave the land to Council”. In fact, Council purchased the land from the Commonwealth in late 2019 for $4.1 million to bring it into public ownership.

Further still, the article incorrectly refers to the 45-page community engagement summary report as an “in-house” report. In fact, it was completed by a third party external engagement expert.

The article also gets the year of the engagement campaign wrong. It was this year (2022) not last year as reported. Council held an extensive five-week community engagement campaign from 30 April to 6 June 2022 to gather community feedback on the Draft BCP Master Plan.

The results of an extensive five-week community engagement campaign conducted by Redland City Council have confirmed strong support for what is being delivered at Birkdale Community Precinct (BCP).

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the campaign was held from 30 April to 6 June 2022 to gather community feedback on the Draft BCP Master Plan.

The results were included in an independently prepared engagement summary report which was adopted at the 17 August, 2022, Council general meeting.

“During the consultation period, an online survey asked if BCP provided the right mix of facilities, spaces and activities. Overall, the majority of respondents agreed with the draft master plan directions,” Cr Williams said.

“On average, three out of four respondents to the online survey conducted during the campaign, agreed or strongly agreed with what the Draft BCP Master Plan was proposing.”

Cr Williams said the survey results also showed a clear indication that the precinct will be visited regularly with general day-to-day activities being for recreation, meeting friends, using the public swimming lagoon, birthday and other parties and for personal fitness.

Located along Old Cleveland Road East at Birkdale and bordered in part by Tingalpa Creek, BCP is the largest, most encompassing and diverse community project ever delivered by Council for Redlands Coast.

Council will take a whole-of-precinct approach for the next major delivery stage of BCP.

“To address and protect the site’s significant environmental, ecological, cultural and heritage values, while delivering the diverse assets as detailed in the draft master plan, will be a very interconnected and complex process,” Cr Williams said.

“If the statutory planning approaches are not undertaken in a cohesive manner there will be potential for delivery, cost and integration risks leading to piecemeal and low-quality development outcomes.”

Also at the 17 August general meeting, Council resolved that a Local Government Infrastructure Designation (LGID) be prepared for BCP in accordance with the Planning Act 2006, Planning Regulation 2017 and the Ministers Guidelines and Rules 2020.

The overall delivery of BCP is based on a 20-year development timeframe with three core time periods, Cr Williams said.

“Although a relatively long period for overall delivery, the decision to commence the required statutory planning in 2022 is to ensure that the first major stage of BCP is open to the public in early 2027, with a possibility that some smaller parts of the precinct, such as Willards Farm, may be accessible to the public earlier,” she said.

“Council intends to involve and inform the community at all possible opportunities. This will be above and beyond the required statutory notifications and will, in general, have to do with specific communications campaigns around individual planning applications – allowing the public access to appropriate documentation and plans, and soliciting their input.

“We have already shown how willing we are to make this project first and foremost about community.

“Council has now conducted two extensive community engagement campaigns as well as launching a Local Partnerships Program, all of which were non-statutory; meaning that Council was not obliged under any legislation – apart from its own resolution – to undertake any of these engagement or feedback activities.”

The Local Partnerships Program (LPP) – commenced before and continued throughout the community engagement period, Cr Williams said. Nine pilot projects directly related to the precinct were established under the LPP with community and youth groups working on various topics such as recycling, storytelling and well-being.

“The LPP is a way for Council to build successful and long-term partnerships with community, business and youth, based around the intergenerational project that is BCP,” she said.

Council had planned two Info Days to be held onsite at Birkdale during the engagement campaign, unfortunately they had to be cancelled due to weather events.

Two exciting intergenerational projects are at the heart of Redland City Council’s $396 million 2022-23 Budget.

In handing down the 2022-2023 Budget, Mayor Karen Williams said Councillors were committed to delivering the projects local families had been asking for.

“This year’s Budget is all about delivering for today while also planning for tomorrow,” Cr Williams said.

“Local families will be the real winners with two key intergenerational projects set to deliver public water parks, sporting fields and plenty of space to enjoy the naturally wonderful Redlands Coast.

“This includes Birkdale Community Precinct (BCP), the largest, most exciting and diverse community project ever delivered for Redlands Coast.

“Council has just finished consultation on the Draft BCP Master Plan and now this Budget allocates $12.7 million to fund the next stage, which includes the restoration of the Willards Farm building.

“When complete, BCP will include a public swimming lagoon, entertainment and innovation Hubs.

“It will be our version of South Bank and Victoria Park all rolled into one and will be enjoyed by generations of Redlanders.

"This year’s Budget also includes an initial $15 million funding towards Stage 1 of the Redlands Coast Regional Sport and Recreation Precinct at Mount Cotton, which will give our cycling and BMX stars of tomorrow somewhere to participate in the sports they love.

“The complex multi-stage and multi-year project, being developed in a globally challenging environment, will also give families and visitors a great new location in the south of the city to enjoy the naturally wonderful Redlands Coast with an exciting play experience, picnic areas and trails and bike activity area.

“The play space includes a water play area for cooling down on a hot summer's day, designed to reflect the environmental story of this wonderful site.”

Cr Williams said the Budget, delivered during a time of rising costs, reduced revenue and high inflation, included funding for other major, long-term projects.

“This includes more than $20 million for the duplication of Wellington Street/Panorama Drive to help ease congestion, $5 million for the Weinam Creek project and $4.41 million towards the Southern Moreton Bay Ferry Terminals Upgrade for Lamb and Karragarra Islands,” she said.

Cr Williams said Council was able to commit to these exciting projects because of its strong cash reserves.

“It is important to point out that these projects will be funded through cash reserves as a priority over general rates, reducing the burden on ratepayers," she said.

“So while other councils are being forced to cut projects due to external cost pressures, the money we have saved over previous years means we can deliver the projects residents have been asking us for."

AITC students may be developing virtual ideas for Birkdale Community Precinct, but they are based in a real-world interest in partnering with Redland City Council as it delivers the largest and most diverse community project ever for the city.

A team of four Year 10 Australian Industry Trade College (AITC) Redlands campus students have been working on a VR program as part of Council’s pilot partnerships program for Birkdale Community Precinct (BCP).

Redland City Deputy Mayor Julie Talty dropped in on one of the trade college’s workshops this week and was impressed by the students’ work.

“This really is an excellent opportunity for the college to literally be part of the reality that is Birkdale Community Precinct,” Cr Talty said.

“The students’ project is focussed on the college’s future use of the precinct for multiple subjects – such as excursions, learning about Redlands pioneers and World War II history, as well as design of built form, landscape, playgrounds, agriculture and so on.

“Having the youth of Redlands Coast involved in this precinct’s creation has been an important and satisfying achievement for Council and the community.

“What I am particularly impressed with is how the work of these students will be carried forward by and for future student years.”

AITC Team Leader Erin Zammit said the students – William Palmer, Joshua Weeks, Devlin Burrows-Andrews and Hudson Vella – had learnt how to use a virtual reality program and then uploaded the BCP fly-through video, made additions and set it up in its own room on display.

“What they decided to do was to use VR to educate the rest of the student body on the benefits of the BCP to the whole school,” Ms Zammit said.

“So the idea is that from next year and ongoing into the future, if for example the students are asked to design a community space on their computer for an assignment, they design, then insert it on to the VR fly-through, they then can see how it looks in the overall site.

“This is very helpful for the BCP as it means that young people are not only aware, but also engaged with the BCP. For them, it means they can visualise exactly how their designs might work in its environment.

“This mutual benefit obviously has a positive knock on effect for employment in Redlands.

“On a more subtle level, it has the social benefit of increased self-esteem as the students feel connected to an exciting, vibrant project that they and their friends will enjoy.”

The AITC team is one of nine groups developing projects for the Birkdale Community Partnerships Program. The others are:

• Bayside District Amateur Radio Society (interactive radio communications)
• Redland Bayside Child & Family Support Hub / Playgroup Qld (ecology-based activities)
• EcoUnity (observation tower proposal)
• Redland Museum (theatrical presentation)
• Rotary Club of Cleveland (recycling and sustainability)
• TRACTION (bicycle recycling and youth empowerment)
• Wellington Point State High School (visual art)
• Wynnum Redlands Canoe Club (fitness, recreation and celebrating Tingalpa Creek)

Several of the groups will be presenting their projects in Cleveland Library Square, Middle Street Cleveland, this Sunday, 5 June from 9am.

Meanwhile, time is running out in the current opportunity for the community to have its say on the Draft Birkdale Community Precinct (BCP) Master Plan with consultation closing at midnight on Monday, 6 June 2022.

Pictured left to right: AITC Team Leader Erin Zammit, students Devlin Burrows-Andrews and William Palmer, Cr Julie Talty, Redlands AITC Campus Manager Damian Watt and student Joshua Weeks.

A Council commissioned report has shown the ongoing social benefits set to be delivered by Birkdale Community Precinct.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the report – Beyond the Boundary: Unlocking the enduring social value of the Birkdale Community Precinct (April 2022, Jacobs) – was helping lay the foundations for the once-in-a-lifetime project.

“This is the largest and most exciting project in our city’s history and we are committed to ensuring it delivers lasting legacies for generations of Redlanders,” Cr Williams said.

“This report shows the social benefits to be delivered through the project including increased community health and recreation as well as economic benefits and local jobs.”

Cr Williams said the lasting project benefits were built off the back of the Redlands Whitewater Centre, which would be a host venue for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“A project of this scale is only possible with investment from other levels of government and that investment is secured through the Redlands Coast whitewater venue,” Cr Williams said.

“Without the whitewater venue we couldn’t deliver our city’s first public lagoon and the exciting social benefits outlined in this report.”

Cr Williams said social value came from such benefits as inclusion, health and wellbeing, and connectedness to other people.

“You achieve this by providing ways to engage with historic buildings; by having high quality open spaces and green spaces; by having meeting spaces and areas for families; and to even simpler things like having cycling and walking trails,” she said.

“The Cultural Hub and Entertainment Hub have large open green spaces, as do parts of the Communications Hub and the surrounds of the public swimming lagoon in the Recreation and Sports Hub. Additionally, the Willards Farm (Food) Hub has a traditional Victorian garden to explore and enjoy.

“Additionally there will be ongoing opportunities for the community to be part of the precinct through training and apprenticeships; access to plenty of all abilities sport and recreational facilities; and increased access to other environmental and cultural experiences.”

The Beyond the Boundary report informs the Draft Birkdale Community Precinct (BCP) Master Plan which outlines how the 62-hectare precinct will be brought to life over the next 20 years. The Plan is currently open for community consultation, running until 6 June, 2022.

Wellington Point State High School students have developed a creative way to present the stories of Birkdale Community Precinct as part of Redland City Council’s pilot partnerships program for the site.

Mayor Karen Williams, who dropped in on one of the school’s Encore Art Program workshops recently, said the students were painting timber discs with images to reflect elements of the precinct’s history.

You can watch the video here

“Birkdale Community Precinct is all about celebrating our past while providing for our future Redlanders, so to see our students involved in the project is very exciting,” Cr Williams said.

“They are using a diverse collection of timber that originated from across Birkdale, such as trees felled by storms and the like.

“The students took their artistic inspiration from a visit to the Willards Farm site last month, so there is a real connection with the site and the messages being shared.

“This artwork will eventually take pride of place on the precinct for the community to enjoy.”

Wellington Point State High’s Encore Art Program, under the direction of art teacher Tamara Beale (pictured far left back with her students and Cr Williams, far right) is one of nine groups developing projects for the Birkdale Community Partnerships Program.

Of the groups, four are schools or youth groups.

“These young people have been taken through a visioning workshop to understand the opportunities at Birkdale Community Precinct and to develop their ideas for the site,” Cr Williams said. “What these groups have come up with is sensational.”

The other groups in the program are:

• Bayside District Amateur Radio Society (interactive radio communications)
• Redland Bayside Child & Family Support Hub / Playgroup Qld (ecology-based activities)
• EcoUnity (observation tower proposal)
• Redland Museum (theatrical presentation)
• Rotary Club of Cleveland (recycling and sustainability)
• TRACTION (bicycle recycling and youth empowerment)
• Australian Industry Trade College (virtual reality in trade sector)
• Wynnum Redlands Canoe Club (fitness, recreation and celebrating Tingalpa Creek)

The Redland Whitewater Centre at Birkdale will not in any way be affected by heritage listing of a site 600m away.

There are no State or local heritage constraints on the section of the Birkdale Community Precinct set aside for the Redland Whitewater Centre.

Reporting of that in The Courier-Mail on Tuesday 3 May 2022 is incorrect.

The whitewater centre is 600m away from the heritage-listed Willards Farmhouse and is located at the opposite end of the precinct (see map below).

The entire precinct site is huge – 62 hectares – and will be one of the largest community spaces in South East Queensland.

In addition, two-thirds – or 40 hectares – of the Birkdale Community Precinct is protected conservation land.

Council saved Willards Farmhouse and continues to protect it

Redland City Council has always been the protector of Willards Farmhouse and supports its inclusion, including outbuildings, into the Queensland Heritage Register

Importantly Council is not wanting to reverse the gazetted heritage listing, but is appealing a part of the listing in response to an expanded boundary beyond the immediate farm complex.

Council’s submission reflected that of the State Government’s own heritage experts and our own independent heritage experts – that the farmhouse and outbuildings are the areas with State heritage value.

In fact Council saved Willards Farmhouse from being demolished for housing when we bought it in 2016.

Separately we also purchased the neighbouring property (where the whitewater venue will be located) in 2019 after a decade of lobbying the Federal Government who had earmarked the land as potentially accommodating 400 houses.