FAQs

    Where is Birkdale Community Precinct?

    The street address of the precinct is 302 Old Cleveland Road East (known as Willards Farm) and 362-388 Old Cleveland Rd East, Birkdale. Bounded in part by Tingalpa Creek to the west and south, and by Old Cleveland Road East to the east, the precinct is made up of former Commonwealth Government land (61.78 hectares) and the Willards Farm land (8164 square metres). In total that is 62 hectares – almost 10 times the size of The Gabba precinct in Brisbane. It is towards the Capalaba end of Birkdale and approximately 23 kilometres east of the Brisbane CBD.

    Why did Council buy this land?

    Willards Farm was bought following community concern that development approval was being sought for a residential subdivision on the land. The former Commonwealth land was bought separately for $4.1 million after lengthy negotiations. It was secured for community use and to protect its environmental and heritage values. There was previous concern the Commonwealth would sell the land and that it would be used for residential subdivision, which was against the wishes of Council and the community. Council successfully sought to acquire the property off-market, to prevent this potential residential use. Council views the entire precinct as a strategic purchase that will be enjoyed by current and future generations. Council purchased the Willards land in March, 2016 and the much larger Commonwealth land in December, 2019.

    Isn’t all of the precinct a conservation area?

    A good majority is, representing about two-thirds of the precinct. The precinct has identified cultural, heritage and environmental values, which will be protected.

    What is a master plan?

    The BCP Master Plan is the result of two years of comprehensive community consultation. Concept designs within it offer a spatial representation of the uses and activities suggested by the community through their input into its Vision in 2021, and through responses to the Draft BCP Master Plan in 2022.  It represents the culmination of the creative ideas that were channeled during its formation.

    In the hourglass shape of available space at the precinct’s heart, flanked by important cultural, heritage and conservation areas that represent some two thirds of the entire site, are seven Hubs which are centred on the design principles that emerged in the Vision.

    Some of the Hubs offer education, inspiration, adventure and activity, while others are more passive, offering quiet reflection on the surrounding cultural landscape and affording relief from the urban environment. 

    Split into two time periods – pre-2032 and post-2032 – the Master Plan proposes how these Hubs will mature as BCP becomes an intergenerational showcase of Redlands Coast and the people at the heart of its community.

    What will the precinct cost to deliver and who is paying for it?

    Birkdale Community Precinct is an intergenerational community project set to be delivered to the Redlands Coast over the next 20 years and, pending community feedback and the final masterplan design, is likely to cost approximately $300 million. This city shaping project includes the significant commitment by the Federal and State governments’ to fund the construction of the Redland Whitewater Centre and Olympic standard Canoe (Slalom) facility.

    Council will also actively seek industry and government partners and grants particularly for infrastructure. With the numerous historic, heritage and environmental values within the precinct, Council will seek specific grants and partnerships for restorations, preservation and ongoing conservation works. 

    Community groups and local businesses will further be provided unique opportunities to co-design, co-invest and take up part custodianship of bespoke projects across the entire time-frame. 

    When will work commence on the precinct?

    It is anticipated that in early 2023 site preparation and initial infrastructure works will commence on the site. A restoration plan is already well-advanced for the Willards Farmhouse and outbuildings.

    When will the precinct be delivered?

    The precinct will be delivered over three stages.  

    • Stage one is proposed to be completed towards the end of 2026 and includes site preparation, infrastructure provision and the construction of core facilities, buildings and services.
    • Stage two includes the precinct being opened to the public in early 2027 and is for a period of up to five years to the end of 2031. This will be a time for visitors, community and business to start to use the entire precinct. It will be an important period for Council to work with many stakeholders on how the precinct is being used and to work with these groups in defining and re-defining future spaces.
    • Stage three, from 2032 and after the Olympics, anticipates that remaining proposed permanent buildings and structures will be constructed. The precinct will however continue to have flexible, adaptable and in some instances temporary uses and activities to meet the changing needs of all users as well as advances in technology.  

    Why did Council choose this location for the whitewater centre?

    Council has the unique opportunity to aggregate projects and create an iconic place for Redlands Coast at Birkdale, and deliver intergenerational outcomes for the city.

    A range of factors pointed towards Birkdale Community Precinct as the most suitable location for the Redland Whitewater Centre including:

    • The sheer scale of the Birkdale Community Precinct means that a range of uses can be accommodated without compromising its integrity.
    • The location provides excellent connectivity potential across a range of transport options, with proximity to public transport and the main road network.
    • People, including Traditional Owners and early European settlers have a long history and relationship with the land and waterways around Birkdale.
    • Locating canoeing and kayaking activity at Birkdale builds on these strong links, particularly with Tingalpa Creek.

    When will work start on the whitewater centre?

    The State Government proposes to commence construction of the Redland Whitewater Centre in 2024 and aims to have it completed in the later part of 2026.

    Given that the whitewater centre is located within the broader precinct, Council is proposing to have the entire precinct, including the centre, opened to the general public by early 2027.

    What is the cost to build the whitewater centre?

    Costs for site works and initial infrastructure will be explored as the detailed scope for the Redland Whitewater Centre and the wider precinct becomes clearer. The whitewater centre is a State Government project for which the State and Federal Governments have guaranteed funding for its construction.

    How many people will the whitewater centre cater for?

    For the Olympic event the Redland Whitewater Centre will have capacity for 8,000 seats with the majority of these seats being temporary.

    What other benefits are there with the whitewater centre?

    Redland Whitewater Centre will help to bring forward significant infrastructure, in particular, road, rail and bus projects for Redlands Coast.

    The centre will be incorporated into the Redland Resilience Training Centre (RRTC) in the Recreation, Resilience and Adventure Sports Hub providing both elite and community facilities, including Redlands Coast’s first public lagoon. The RRTC has significant opportunities as a swift-water rescue training facility for State, national and Asia Pacific emergency services personnel.

    Will a new aquatic centre be built at the precinct?

    Based on community feedback from the Visioning stage and from a further technical review, the precinct will now deliver Redlands Coast’s first public swimming lagoon instead of an aquatic centre. A detailed analysis of related facilities throughout the region has highlighted that the existing Cleveland aquatic centre be upgraded to better meet the needs of the growing population.

    Will the precinct be accessible to everyone?

    Yes. Any future uses of the site would be required to conform to Council’s commitment to all-abilities access.

    What is the site's history?

    Traditional Owners have lived, traded and camped on or near the precinct for tens of thousands of years. The land has known Indigenous culture heritage sites, which Council will ensure are protected. The Willards site, which dates back to around the 1860s, is one of the oldest surviving farms and residences on Redlands Coast and represents a rare and fascinating example of early European settlement of the area. The precinct is also home to a building constructed by the US Army Corps in 1943 and used to house a radio receiving station during World War II. After the war, the site was used by the Federal Government's Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for radio communications infrastructure.

    How does the Master Plan address this heritage?

    Heritage values have been identified along with associated management guidelines through multiple technical studies including cultural heritage, conservation management plans and specialist input from subject matter experts throughout the planning and design process. A fundamental objective for heritage management is to ensure that such precious values are appropriately integrated throughout the precinct for today and future generations.

    What happens next?

    The BCP Master Plan marks a reference point for the delivery of BCP including its goals, aspirations and commitments. Once formal statutory approval processes have been completed under a Local Government Infrastructure Designation, Council will commence construction of key enabling infrastructure and the community should expect to see site works and restoration commence within the site during 2023.

    The BCP Master Plan and associated Foundation Report are underpinned by a legacy first approach to create impact and long-lasting benefits for Redlands Coast, Queensland and Australia. To realise the social value propositions that are possible for this intergenerational precinct, specific action plans will be created in concert with Master Plan implementation. A multi-year BCP Activation Framework, which has already seen successful implementation of a pilot community partnerships program, will also be extended and details of both will form the basis of a future deliverable, Bringing Birkdale Community Precinct to Life – Social & Community Activation Plan.