Mayor in Asia
Get Ready Redlands – fire alert
Squashing litterbugs!
Council projects make the grade
Feedback on priority projects
Koalas counting on you
Game on
Mayor in Asia
The Redlands’ “open for business” strategy has been drawing strong interest during my trade mission to China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan.
You may also like these stories
The positive feedback I have been receiving shows that our City has much to offer, particularly in terms of tourism, investment, education and, of course, our lifestyle.
Ties also have been strengthened with our sister city Qinhuangdao, which I believe will lead to greater opportunities for economic development in tourism and education, as well as our marine industry.
In Qinhuangdao, encouraging talks have been held with senior education officials keen to further exchanges with our schools.
A major investor and developer has also shown keen interest in the Redlands’ priority development areas and will visit our City for site inspections and further discussions.
Other consortiums also have shown interest in seeing the Redlands for themselves and are planning to send delegations here.
China has rapidly become Queensland’s second-largest international market … and that growth is accelerating.
The Redlands is now better positioned to capitalise on China’s massive investment potential and demand for the quality services we have to offer – something that will help reinvigorate our local economy, boost local businesses and create local jobs.
This investment also is vital as we strive to make the most of the Priority Development Area status granted to both Toondah Harbour and Weinam Creek transit hubs, which link the mainland to our City’s beautiful islands.
I am encouraged that potential investors from Asia as well as from within Australia and the Redlands have already shown interest in these projects and we will be reporting back to residents on this shortly.
There is little doubt that Redlands is now on the map. I will be attending and speaking at the Urban Development Institute of Australia Encouraging Urban Development in South East Queensland breakfast with other SEQ Mayors on October 11 and have been asked to deliver the keynote address on our two Priority Development Areas to the Queensland Transport Infrastructure Conference at the Stamford Plaza in Brisbane on 23 October.
Get Ready Redlands – fire alert
Tinder dry conditions have put the Redlands on high fire alert with Redlanders urged to ensure they are bushfire ready.
Redland City Council and the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service have been closely monitoring conditions and increasing personnel and equipment in high risk areas.
They have also completed 14 planned burns to back burn 40 hectares of vegetation to minimise the bushfire threat.
You can check where and when there are hazard reduction burns by logging on to the Council’s Disaster Hub by going to www.redland.qld.gov.au, clicking on “About Redlands”, then “Disaster Management”.
Residents need to be mindful of the heightened fire danger and ensure they have a family emergency plan and emergency kit at the ready; including a first aid kit, protective clothing, medication and a battery-operated radio.
You will find more details at www.emergency.qld.gov.au.
Squashing litterbugs!
In-car litter cameras are being rolled out in the Redlands as Council works to protect our beautiful environment by deterring litterbugs.
The cameras will provide evidence to then be used by Council to prosecute people who show little regard for the City.
The technology is designed to not only capture isolated incidents of littering but also the larger problem of illegal dumping.
Fixed cameras will keep watch over key illegal dumping locations to catch out people who think it is fine to trash our environment.
Mayor Karen Williams says the move is in line with Council’s policy to guarantee the Redlands’ character is maintained and wonderful wildlife protected.
Meanwhile, Council officers will continue proactive patrols and educating people about issues such as illegal dumping and littering.
Council projects make the grade
School drop-offs and pick-ups will be made safer at four local schools thanks to just over $210,000 in Redland City Council projects.
Part of Council’s ongoing commitment to community safety, the projects are jointly funded by Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Construction commenced on the first of the four projects during the recent September school holidays and will see a 270 metre new path constructed at Star of the Sea School in Cleveland. Work is expected to be completed by mid October.
Three more projects will then be constructed at other schools during the Christmas school holidays.
The future projects are:
- New 220 metre path along Vintage Drive and crossing point for Bayview State School
- New 330 metre path along Syracuse Street and Caswell Street near Redland Bay State School
- Upgrade of signage and road/path markings for Birkdale South School.
Work has been timed to occur during school holidays to lessen the impact on schools and the community.
Feedback on priority projects
Recent residents meetings, forums and surveys have produced a wealth of good ideas for Council’s Priority Development Area projects at Weinam Creek and Toondah Harbour.
These prime waterfront projects are a partnership between Redland City Council and the State Government and have sparked plenty of community interest.
You can now go online to check out what residents said about what they would like to see at Toondah Harbour and Weinam Creek – check out the feedback.
This information is now being turned into practical planning options, from which two proposed development schemes will be released for public comment late this year and early next year.
A new website has also been launched as an online resource for developers and investors.
The site showcases the Toondah Harbour and Weinam Creek projects, explaining the Priority Development Area process and investment benefits, as well as what makes each of these sites unique from a development perspective.
Visit www.redlandsopenforbusiness.com.au
Koalas counting on you
Residents can help our koalas while having a fun family day during the annual Koala Action Group koala count-a-thon on October 19 and 20.
The weekend event, supported by Redland City Council, encourages locals and visitors to report all koala sightings to help us better protect these special Redlanders.
In addition to providing vital information, family koala spotting can be a fun and rewarding activity and a great opportunity to explore the City’s wonderful parks and bush environment.
October is the ideal time for the survey as it coincides with koala breeding season, when koalas are most active.
Participants will be asked for the exact location of the koala, whether it looks healthy, the type of tree it is in (eucalypt or other) and whether they can identify the sex.
Sightings can be logged by:
- Phoning 3820 1103 from 8am – 5pm;
- Posting it www.facebook.com/KoalaActionGroup;
- Going online at www.koalagroup.asn.au; or
- Emailing [email protected].
Game on
Locals may spot some very athletic types in the Redlands in the lead-up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Six countries from across the Caribbean and Africa have shown interest in visiting the City as they prepare for the big event. And there are indications more nations might accept the city’s offer of a convenient relaxation and training zone as part of their visit to Queensland.
It’s the brainchild of Redlands’ Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards, who wrote a personal invitation to the organising committees of other Commonwealth states, offering hospitality and support to athletes, coaches and officials.
“The idea is to help lessen the financial burden involved in bringing overseas teams to the games, to provide appropriate training facilities and accommodation and strengthen the bonds between countries,” Cr Edwards said.
What started as an idea to show-off the Southern Moreton Bay Islands soon gathered momentum and now has potential for the whole of the Redlands to showcase its great facilities and natural environment.
Pulse will keep you posted.
