Judy Holt Park Environmental Rehabilitation Works
Principal Petitioner: Shaun Holloway
At 10 signatures, this petition will be considered properly made.
Petition Request:
Council provides the Redlands community with a detailed update regarding the Judy Holt Park Environmental Rehabilitation Works project including:
Changes in scope since the project commenced including any scope changes, which may have caused the closure of Lloyd Vista on 16 February 2026.
Increases in costs over and above the $34,336,538.14 contract with McMahon Services which was disclosed in January 2025.
Current expectations for when the project will be completed and the community given full access to sports fields at Judy Holt Park.
The Council advises any plans for undertaking environmental rehabilitation works at other Redlands parks and sports fields built on former landfill sites.
Petition Response (30 April 2026):
Thank you for raising questions about the Judy Holt Park environmental rehabilitation project. Council recognises the significance of this park to the local community and sporting clubs and understands the disruption caused by the works. The following information is provided to address the matters raised in the petition, based on what is currently known and able to be shared.
Since the project commenced, phasing and timing of the works have been adjusted. These changes included:
- bringing forward the relocation of the Redlands Rugby Union Club (Muddies) by approximately 12 months
- advancing vegetation clearance works
- revising construction staging and sequencing to safely manage site conditions.
The rehabilitation of Judy Holt Park forms part of Redland City Council’s broader landfill management program, which aims to safely manage former landfill sites so they can continue to be used as public open spaces and sporting facilities into the future.
The project’s core purpose remains unchanged – to manage legacy environmental risks associated with historical landfill activity. This includes:
- reshaping and stabilising landfill slopes (batters)
- installing landfill gas ventilation systems
- expanding leachate (liquid) management systems
- enhancing environmental monitoring to meet modern regulatory standards.
Changes in Scope
In addition, further remediation works were identified and added following site investigations and significant rainfall events, including Tropical Cyclone Alfred. These include:
- additional leachate control works on the Southern Batter and Western Batter
- demolition of the existing clubhouse and construction of a new facility, required because leachate management infrastructure now extends into areas previously not affected.
These additions arose after heavy rainfall events caused leachate breakouts. Investigations confirmed that further works were required to fully contain leachate and protect surrounding waterways and the environment.
Closure of Lloyd Vista
The closure of Lloyd Vista was originally included as part of McMahon Services’ Construction Safety Plan. As planned, Lloyd Vista remained open during earlier stages of the project. However, as construction progressed, additional land was required for construction compounds and material storage and heavy vehicle movements increased significantly. Understandably, this resulted in increased risks to pedestrians, cyclists and park users.
For these reasons, Lloyd Vista has been closed from the Birkdale Recycling and Waste Centre entry point for the remainder of the project.
The closure is solely for safety reasons, to separate the public from heavy construction activity and to allow the contractor full possession of the site to undertake the works safely and efficiently. Access to park facilities continues via alternate routes.
Project Costs
As you are aware, in January 2025, Council awarded a contract to McMahon Services for the Judy Holt Northern Batter Remediation works. While we understand the petition seeks information about increases beyond the originally disclosed figure, at this time Council has not publicly released an updated project value beyond the original contract sum. Furthermore, some cost information relates to contract variations, risk allocations and negotiations that are commercial‑in‑confidence while the project is still active.
We do acknowledge, however, that as referenced above, Tropical Cyclone Alfred and periods of heavy rainfall over the winter months caused additional leachate breakouts across the site, which have led to further costs being incurred to capture and contain leachate in multiple locations. Additional waste and buried materials have also been uncovered in previously undocumented or unrecorded areas of the former landfill, requiring further remediation.
These matters are common risks associated with the rehabilitation of older landfill sites and are being actively managed to ensure environmental compliance and public safety. Council will continue to meet its transparency obligations while also protecting ratepayers’ interests and contractual confidentiality.
Project Completion and Return to Field Use
Council previously advised that completion was anticipated in late 2026, weather permitting. Due to the additional remediation works outlined above, periods of inclement weather and the complexity of managing leachate and undisclosed waste, the current delivery program now indicates an expected completion in May 2027.
Council continues to meet with the Redlands Rugby Union Club each month to discuss progress and address any impacts and concerns in a collaborative and proactive manner. A monthly project update is also distributed to all other sporting and recreational clubs that use the Judy Holt Park precinct.
Environmental Rehabilitation at Other Former Landfill Sites
Judy Holt Park forms part of Redland City Council’s broader, long‑term landfill management program, which addresses the legacy of historic waste disposal practices. Under this program, Council monitors 28 closed landfill sites, including locations beyond parks and sporting fields.
In addition to Judy Holt Park, Council actively monitors and undertakes maintenance or minor works at several parks and sporting field sites, including Duncan Road Baseball Fields, Sharks Sporting Park, John Fredericks Park, Laurie Burns Oval and Charlie Buckler Park.
Where required, environmental rehabilitation construction works are undertaken to protect specific environmental values. These works may include full or partial landfill capping, as well as drainage and leachate management. Any future works are subject to detailed investigations, funding approvals and community engagement prior to commencement.
Council is also currently funding further drainage works at John Fredericks Park to improve water quality outcomes.
Council acknowledges that the duration and impacts of this project have been challenging for residents, park users and sporting clubs. However, the works are essential to ensure Judy Holt Park remains a safe, environmentally responsible and usable community asset for future generations.
Council remains committed to providing updates as the project progresses and thanks the community for its patience and understanding.