The former World War II Radio Receiving Station located at Birkdale Community Precinct is a future centrepiece of the precinct’s Communications Hub, an interpretive space to commemorate the US alliance with Australia.
It is a space where our community can experience Redlands Coast’s contribution to wartime and peacekeeping efforts and learn about the history of radio communication then, today and into the future.
Essential repairs that will pave the way for the receiving station’s eventual restoration are underway, with all works approved by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science and supervised by accredited heritage specialists.
Interest in the historically important building is growing.
The ABC recently aired the following story about the receiving station and the crucial role it played in ensuring effective communications during the War in the Pacific.
ABC 7.30 Birkdale Community Precinct
The 62-hectare Birkdale Community Precinct – designed for and by the Redlands Coast community – will feature seven hubs:
- Cultural Hub – a meeting point and launching pad for all the precinct offers
- Willard’s Farm Food Hub – a celebration of farming heritage with a restored Willard’s Farmhouse, classic Victorian garden and space for outdoor food markets, restaurant, café and cooking school
- Innovation Hub – an exhibition space showcasing the future of farm methodologies and techniques, agricultural technology and food production
- Entertainment Hub – multiple outdoor spaces for local performers and touring artists as well as BBQs, picnic areas, oversized games and outdoor movies
- Communications Hub – memorial and contemplation space paying homage to war and peace-keeping services, anchored by the former US Army-built World War II Radio Receiving Station
- Recreation, Resilience & Adventure Sports Hub – Redlands Coast’s first public lagoon, whitewater centre as well as an adventure playground and running track
- Conservation Hub – 2.8km of walking trails, interactive tours, wilderness experiences and enhanced koala habitat.
Site photos showing progress of the works as well as studies and reports that inform how Council is upholding and enhancing the cultural and environmental values of the precinct are available on Council’s Birkdale Community Precinct Your Say page.