Create | Birkdale Community Precinct

A delegation from the International Canoe Federation (ICF) and Paddle Australia met with Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell on 23 January 2026 to discuss strategies to best position Redlands Coast in the lead up to and beyond the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Delegates included ICF President Thomas Konietzko, ICF Secretary-General Richard Petitt, ICF Slalom Chair Richard Fox, Paddle Australia CEO Kim Crane, and Chair of the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) Athletes’ Commission Ken Wallace.

Redlands Coast is an event venue city for Canoe Slalom for the Brisbane 2032 Games with the proposed Redland Whitewater Centre to be constructed at Birkdale Community Precinct.

The Mayor, who is also Chair of the Redlands Coast 2032 Legacy Working Group, said the delegation meeting complemented Council’s own legacy planning and that Council must now seek out opportunities to engage and activate the venue.

“It was a positive opportunity to hear from the delegates about their international strategies, such as community activation, sustainability, wellbeing and recreation,” the Mayor said.

“It was also an opportunity to discuss how to grow paddle sports from the grass roots up on Redlands Coast – including come-and-try programs, pre-Games training, and attracting potential national and international events.

“Paddle Australia gave an update at the meeting on its bid for the inaugural 2030 World Paddle Games which bring together all 10 ICF disciplines in a single global competition and festival.

“Games events are expected to include the Olympic formats of Canoe Sprint, Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross, as well as Paracanoe, Canoe Marathon, Wildwater Canoeing, Ocean Racing, Canoe Polo, Canoe Freestyle, Dragon Boat and Stand Up Paddling.

“Redlands Coast presents an ideal location to help stage this world-first event and to include Canoe Slalom at the Redland Whitewater Centre which is due for completion in 2030.

“It is important to secure events to support the project and its legacy.”

ICF President Thomas Konietzko said the Redland Whitewater Centre project represented exactly the kind of forward-thinking the sport encouraged to provide a world-class facility shaped by community needs and long-term vision.

“It was extremely encouraging to discuss with the Mayor how the Redland Whitewater Centre project can support participation, sustainability and international competition, including the exciting opportunity for Redlands to be part of Paddle Australia’s bid to host the inaugural World Paddle Games ahead of Brisbane 2032,” Mr Konietzko said.

ICF Slalom Chair Richard Fox said from a Canoe Slalom perspective, the proposed Redland Whitewater Centre had the potential to set a new international benchmark.

“What makes the Redland Whitewater Centre project particularly compelling is the legacy first approach and a clear focus on community use, athlete development and long-term legacy,” he said.

“Bringing experts together at this early stage, and engaging directly with the Mayor on how Redlands can welcome the international paddling community, reflects exactly the kind of joined-up thinking required in the lead-up to 2032.”

ICF Secretary General Richard Pettit said it was fantastic to see a truly world-class Canoe Slalom facility being developed with a clear community-first strategy at its core.

“The approach is what delivers genuine, long-term impact, benefiting local communities, athletes and the sport well beyond a single Games cycle,” he said.

“From concept through to delivery, we have been delighted to bring international expertise to the table, and it was a real pleasure to meet with Mayor Mitchell to discuss how Redlands can play a meaningful role in supporting Paddle Australia’s bid to host the inaugural World Paddle Games, just two years ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Paddle Australia CEO Kim Crane said the vision for the Birkdale Community Precinct was truly inspiring and the organisation was excited to help bring it to life.

“Our sport and lifestyle is built on a shared enthusiasm and strong belief in creating places and dynamic, thriving communities,” she said.

“We look forward to working with the community to develop new ways to activate and enjoy the water, connecting people to Redlands Coast as a new home for paddle sports.”

The international delegation last visited Redlands Coast in early 2023 when they visited the proposed whitewater centre site on Birkdale Community Precinct.

The ICF provides global leadership to enable, inspire and activate people in the pursuit of participation and excellence in paddling activities. It represents a wide range of paddle sports, overseeing 10 core disciplines.

Paddle Australia is the peak body for paddle sports in Australia.

An Expressions of Interest (EOI) for a Principal Consultant to lead the design of the Redland Whitewater Centre at Birkdale has gone to market today.

The Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) is searching for an industry partner ready to shape Queensland’s first whitewater venue.

Located in Redland City Council’s planned Birkdale Community Precinct, the centre will be a venue for canoe slalom events during the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Redland City Deputy Mayor Julie Talty welcomed the investment from the Australian and Queensland governments in the centre.

“The Redland Whitewater Centre will be a vital element of the new Birkdale Community Precinct master-planned parkland,” Cr Talty said.

HISTORIC HOMESTEAD BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE ... IT'S TIME TO FIND OUT WHODUNNIT

It is not exactly an Agatha Christie whodunnit but there are similarities – there’s a detective on the case, a creepy rundown old house, the ghost of an old woman who suffered a mysterious and grisly death, clues dug up from the past, and a jaw-dropping reveal in the third act.

And it started a little like this …

Dawn’s earliest tendrils of light claw towards the abandoned farmhouse. They touch the peeling, powdery white paint of its exterior walls where they have been relentlessly causing it to dry, to curl and flake away. It is in that quietness of first light that the culprits arrive. Their hands hidden in gloves.

Armed with crowbars, hammers and sharpened chisels, they move cautiously over the verandah’s rotting boards. Once inside the dilapidated, vine-riddled old Queensland homestead they waste no time … they raise their weapons and attack! With steely determination they strike again and again, knowing that once this is over, nothing will ever be the same again.

Time passes. When they are done and the dust has settled, they head out front again. Looking back, there before them stands a beautifully restored 1870s homestead – a now-straight roofline of tin; spotless new glass in the sash windows; white iron balustrading gleaming in the sun …

The House Detective – aka Marianne Taylor – has worked out whodunnit. She couldn’t be happier that Willards Homestead at Birkdale has been brought back to life.

Her denouncement? Those responsible are Redland City Council, Baroque Group Pty Ltd, and Australian Heritage Specialists (AHS).

Council contracted local restoration company Baroque Group in late 2023 to undertake the restoration of the heritage-listed farmhouse and outbuildings along with consultants AHS. Work was completed in January this year, with the next steps being the installation of a temporary amenities block and some exquisite and extensive landscaping. It will open to the public later this year.

Ms Taylor, an architectural historian highly experienced in heritage strategy and management, said Willards Farm had been “beautifully” restored and renovated.

“It was in a really bad condition for a long time. It was overgrown with vines and it was boarded up,” she said.

“(Council) recognised not only how significant it is to the local area but also to the history of Queensland.

“They’ve followed heritage best practice in terms of as much as necessary but as little as possible.”

Ms Taylor – who, as The House Detective, researches the history of houses and buildings for a living – first inspected the homestead in March 2021, and then again earlier this year after the restoration work was complete.

A video of her tour of the restored Willards Farm is currently showing at Council’s Visitor Information Centre, Middle Street, Cleveland, where artefacts found during the renovation work are on display along with activities for children to inform them of the history of Willards dairy farm.

The found artefacts – or clues dug up from the past – include a toy farmer figure from the 1920s-1940s, a swatch of knitted fabric, old bottles and shards of green glass.

“It’s so important to retain and look after these old places because essentially they’re a portal to the past,” Ms Taylor said.

“It’s so great that Redland City Council has come in and ensured that (Willards Farm) will be around for another 160 years at least.

“It’s such a little house, but it can tell big stories and it is evidence of so many aspects of our history here in Queensland.”

PART OF OUR HISTORY

Willards Farm – which was entered into the Queensland Heritage Register on 8 March 2022 by the Queensland Heritage Council – is one of the oldest surviving farms and residences on Redlands Coast.

The site of the homestead was registered in 1865 to James Willard (who arrived at Moreton Bay from Plymouth in 1858) and Mark Blundell. In the same year, James and his brother Edward were granted a timber licence to clear trees on the property.

While the exact date is uncertain, it is thought that original owners James and Margaret Willard built the house in stages circa 1876 as this was when James took out a mortgage on the land.

The homestead and outbuildings were built using bush carpentry techniques, evidenced by adzing and hand-saw marks that are still visible today on the rough-hewn timber slabs in the milking shed. Timber for its construction was felled on site and included white beech, swamp beech, cedar and pine.

The Willards ran a dairy farm on the property, which was also known as The Pines, until the mid-1920s. The property changed ownership a couple of times after 1933 before Rosemary Cotton and her husband Doug bought it in June 1941. However, only a few years later the Commonwealth asserted possession over a large portion of the property to establish a radio communications facility to be built by the US Army as World War II raged. It was later transferred to the Australian Postmaster-General’s Department for use.

The Cottons farmed their portion of the land for many decades, with the property being sold several times following Rosemary Cotton’s death in 1979.

The wider estate is often associated with a local identity referred to by locals as ‘the goat lady’. Isabelle Alcock lived alone as a squatter on the Commonwealth land for some 60 years until her death in 2019, aged 84.

She cared for cattle and sheep and a small herd of goats on the property, which she vigorously defended from trespassers.

Willards Farm was bought by Council in 2016. The purchase followed community concern that the site was subject to a development approval for subdivision into residential allotments.

Locals have always held a strong connection to Willards Farm and that has only strengthened after it came into public ownership and started its journey to full restoration.

Division 10 Councillor Paul Bishop acknowledged the heritage significance of Willards Farm and its structures as a “portal into our pioneer past” saying it “remains anchored in its historic context on the pastoral estate 150 years after establishment”.

“The Birkdale Precinct is quite a remarkable property which offers our community many more layers of value and significance than appears at first glance,” Cr Bishop said.

“It has a wealth of stories, lessons and knowledge to impart, including stories of connection with First Nations People and South Sea Islander labourers. It also is a place that remains uniquely undeveloped due to its incredible history, which can be enjoyed, treasured and celebrated by generations to come.”

According to The House Detective, giving access to the community and visitors, means that the Willards, Cottons and Isabelle Alcock stories live on.

“By sympathetically incorporating existing heritage features into new endeavours like this one, we can pay tribute to our history while also celebrating the next chapter in their story,” Ms Taylor said.

PART OF THE PRECINCT

Situated on Old Cleveland Road East, Willards Farm will be one of the main attractions on Birkdale Community Precinct.

The 62-hectare 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 the restored Willards Farmhouse, classic gardens 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 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.

The Willards Farm display can be viewed at the Redlands Coast Visitor Information Centre. For opening hours and more information go here: Visit Redlands Coast – Visitor Information Centre.

PART OF THE MYSTERY

Are there any actual murders, mysteries or mayhem in Willards Farm’s history that may need unravelling by The House Detective or another sleuth? The answer is “well, at least not that anyone is aware of”.

This article’s opening statement does raise one more question though – Is the place haunted?

Hmm. Possibly.

According to notes taken by a Birkdale Progress Association member during a Redland Museum history lecture about Willards Farm on 25 March 2009, the homestead may not be as empty as it appears.

“A woman was killed by the front door. The elderly lady, almost blind … walked into the front (heavy) solid door which caught her on the forehead between the eyes,” read the notes, before adding that she was now the home’s “only ghost. Though (you) feel strange things in the house.”

Whether that is true or not, let’s just say that the only spirit Council can confirm, is that the spirit of Willards Farm and its rich and fascinating history is well and truly alive again.

Redlands Coast is set to remain an event venue city for Canoe Slalom for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The news follows today’s announcement by the Queensland Government that it accepts the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority’s 100 Day Review into Games venues and transport infrastructure final report recommendation for the Redland Whitewater Centre project to proceed as scoped.

Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell said Redland City Council welcomed the findings of the 100 Day Review, which considered integration across venues, transport systems, athlete villages, and precincts, while evaluating demand, affordability, deliverability, and overall impact to maximise social, economic, and environmental outcomes.

“Council considers this exciting news for the city and one step closer to receiving multi-million-dollar investment in new sports infrastructure from the Australian and Queensland governments,” the Mayor said.

“Council has been on this journey with Brisbane and other south-east Queensland councils since 2015 and sees the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a catalyst to deliver the infrastructure, including public transport infrastructure, our community needs.

“Council is pleased that the 100 Day Review, led by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority, ensures progression of the Redland Whitewater Centre project and supports it being of great benefit to the Redlands Coast community.

“I am advised the planned Redland Whitewater Centre will be designed for all ages and abilities, offering activities like tubing on calm waters, learning water safety, beginner paddling, and even tackling rapids for canoeing, kayaking, and rafting. This will be a year-round venue for families, emergency services and athletes.

“I acknowledge the Redlands Coast community for their passionate debate regarding this project to ensure Council is doing the best it can for our people and environment, and I thank them for contributing to the Games Independent Infrastructure Authority’s call for ideas and feedback on plans and legacy projects for the Brisbane 2032 Games.

Fast facts

• Council formally committed to being part of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games at a Special Meeting on 1 April 2021.
• Council reaffirmed its support as a Junior Games Partner at General Meetings on 13 September 2023 and most recently on 15 May 2024.
• The proposed Redland Whitewater Centre, to be located on about 18 per cent of the 26 ha 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 Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority’s Project Validation Report 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, summary Project Validation Report information will be released.
• The total area for Birkdale Community Precinct is 62 ha, which includes 36 ha of conservation area. The proposed Redland Whitewater Centre will encompass about eight per cent of the total area of the precinct.
• Council will refer Birkdale Community Precinct, which includes the proposed Olympic venue site, for assessment under the Australian Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Council acknowledges its long-time partners on the project – the International Canoe Federation (ICF) and Paddle Australia.

ICF Canoe Slalom Technical Chair, Richard Fox described the decision as an “exciting day for paddling worldwide”.

“As a sport, we started our engagement with Redland City Council five years ago, and have worked side by side ever since,” he said.

“It is wonderful to see the legacy vision and delivery plan for the Redland Whitewater Centre endorsed by the Queensland Government.

“Following the announcement today, we will continue to contribute to the development of an adventure attraction at the heart of an innovative community precinct.

“Following the ICF slalom world championships in Sydney this year, we can now look forward to world class events on Redlands Coast, ahead of and beyond the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.”

Paddle Australia CEO Kim Crane said the new Redland Whitewater Centre would create an important and strong connection between the sport and the community.

“This is clearly a venue not just for an Olympic competition in 2032, rather it will offer long-term, sustainable opportunities for the community to enjoy active recreation,” she said.

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.