Water play park for the Redlands Coast
Principal Petitioner: Aaron Anderson
Closing Date: Tuesday 13 January 2026, 4.30pm
At 10 signatures, this petition will be considered properly made.
Petition Request:
This petition calls on Redland City Council to investigate and deliver a free access public water play park on the Redlands mainland. The Redlands Coast has a growing population of young families and experiences long, hot summers. Despite this, Council currently operates no public swimming pools on the mainland and provides only one very small water play facility at Thornlands Community Park. As a result, many families are required to travel outside the Redlands to access safe, free water-based recreation and cooling spaces that are commonly provided by neighbouring councils.
A mainland water play park would support:
• Community health, wellbeing, and social connection
• Safe, accessible summer cooling for children and families
• Inclusive, low-cost recreation
• Improved livability in a growing city
The petition recognises there are multiple viable options for delivery, including integration with planned facilities at Birkdale or Heinemann Road, or at an alternative location identified through community consultation. We respectfully request that Redland City Council prioritise investigation, community consultation, and planning for a mainland water play park and consider its inclusion in future capital works and precinct planning.
Petition Response:
Thank you for your petition requesting a water play park for Redland City Council. The petition was tabled by Councillor Talty at the General Meeting held on 21 January, 2026, Council Resolution 2026/4. The matter was defined as operational in nature and referred to officers to consider and respond.
Council has investigated the petition request and provides a response to you as the Principal Petitioner, with the following considerations and information.
Council acknowledges the points raised in your petition, including the region’s warm climate, continued population growth, the importance of community health and wellbeing, and family-friendly public spaces. While Redland Coast offers a range of naturally wonderful coastal swimming locations, and smaller nature-based water play at some parks across the city, public aquatic facilities on the mainland are limited.
Over the past several years, the community’s longstanding interest in expanding water-based recreation opportunities is recognised and has been at the forefront of a number of investigations.
Council has explored opportunities for water-play facilities at a number of locations across the city, including:
• Improved water play facilities at Redlands Coast Aquatic Centre in Cleveland
• Zero depth water play at Heinemann Road Sport and Recreation Precinct
• Water play facilities at Birkdale Community Precinct
• Discussions with private developers through planning for new residential communities
While these investigations identified potential opportunities, decisions have been influenced by site constraints, project timing, State and Federal approval requirements, competing community priorities, and the significant investment associated with constructing and maintaining water-play infrastructure.
Birkdale Community Precinct – Future Water Play Opportunities
Council notes that the petition highlights the Birkdale Community Precinct as a possible location. Water based recreation has already been incorporated into the adopted Birkdale Community Precinct Master Plan, which includes Redland City Council’s first major public swimming lagoon and associated waterplay elements designed as a key family friendly feature of the precinct. These facilities form part of the broader recreational and community offerings planned for the site.
Birkdale Community Precinct is currently progressing through the design phase. This is a large, multistage, long-term project, and further detailed planning will determine the final configuration, staging, and operation of the lagoon and water play facilities. This and other options will be considered during the detailed design, operational planning, and budget processes.
Community members will be kept informed as planning progresses via the Council’s ‘Your Say’ page, where updated information, project milestones, and opportunities for public feedback will continue to be shared.
https://yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au/imagine
Please note this response has been provided to you as the Principal Petitioner. You may choose to notify other persons listed on the petition of the outcome.
Council appreciates the community’s advocacy for enhanced water-based recreation and will take the petition’s request into account as planning for the Birkdale Community Precinct and other citywide recreation priorities.
Thank you for your interest in the improvement of Redland City’s parks and open spaces.