• WEINAM CREEK
• TOONDAH HARBOUR
• BIRKDALE PROJECT THREE MAJOR PROJECTS TO TRANSFORM REDLANDS COAST FOREVER! Three major projects on the agenda for our Redlands Coast, are to change the perception of our important area of the Queensland SE Coastline, forever! The three projects, when they come to final fruition, will turn our once ‘quiet cousin’ of a playground SE Queensland Coastline, into the most strategic new tourism hub located closest to Queensland’s largest population hub, Brisbane. The three developments are all related to what appear to be community development hubs, but in real terms will become major tourism attractions. The three areas are: • The Birkdale Community Precinct • Toondah Harbour PDA • Weinam Creek PDA Birkdale is a 62ha site that Redland City Council has earmarked for a major community hub for the entire community to use and enjoy. There are five core themes to the project that will make it a future community-use precinct. The five themes are: environment/ecology; adventure/recreation; heritage/history; education/discovery; and agriculture/rural tradition. The community has already indicated, from considerable consultation, that it is in support of picnic facilities, cycling and walking paths and circuits, access to Tingalpa Creek and natural areas, café and dining areas, community markets, camping and overnight stays, an amphitheatre and performance spaces, education and training facilities, paddock to plate, wildlife tourism and night walks. They have also supported the concept of a Redlands Coast Adventure Sports Precinct – including an Olympic-standard pool, Olympic-standard canoe slalom whitewater facility (that could serve as a venue should Brisbane be selected as host of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games), water play and adventure sports facilities. The community also saw preserving the natural environment and Redlands’ heritage as priorities at the Birkdale site. Toondah Harbour, being developed by the Walker Group, offers to enhance lifestyle and economic opportunities for locals at what will be one of the world’s leading year-round harbourside locations. The project, once finally approved, will bring about much-needed port infrastructure, recreational and visitor facilities; opportunity for a new standard of environmental stewardship; and a celebration of unique local culture and heritage. Not only that, the 3.5 hectare waterside precinct will become a wonderful waterside family zone that will include a South Bank-style lagoon pool and water play area. It will be a tourism beacon for the Redlands that will also feature natural walking paths, picnic spots and green open spaces. A bonus will be other recreational amenities including a wetland education and cultural centre and low impact walking trails. A marina plaza with boutique retail and dining precinct will complement an exciting leisure and events destination attracting tourism to the region. Weinam Creek will be delivered in stages, transforming the waterfront of Redland Bay into a new destination hub. The project will provide much-needed community infrastructure for local families, improve the usability of the transport hub, attract visitors, create jobs, and drive economic development in the area. Central to Weinam Creek will be a major parking station that will house the parking of Southern Moreton Bay Island mainland vehicles, as well as local visitation parking. The parking station has the capacity for future expansion and development as parking needs expand. The building can be increased to eight levels, if required. Cr Mark Edwards told The Friendly Bay Islander the new look Weinam Creek will provide more than 21,000 sqm of new public open space, the rejuvenation of 46,920 sqm of existing parkland, new pedestrian and cycleways and the construction of a new public boat ramp. “There is also expected to be mixed use and medium-density residential development, retail and commercial spaces including cafes, restaurants and grocery outlets, as well as a health precinct for mainland and island residents,” the councillor said. “All three projects combined, involving hundreds of millions of dollars, will make the Redlands become a ‘mecca’ for increased visitation and positive change. Cr Mark Edwards said: “The final outcome will benefit our community in so many ways. Employment opportunities, business start ups, tourism, a larger rates base, and placing us on “the map” as a desirable place to work, live and play.”