2021 in the Redlands as reported by Redlands2030

A review of 2021 by Redlands2030 including photos from and links to some of our stories is presented below.

As usual, we start with December and work our way back to the start of 2021.

December

Plans by Karreman Quarries to expand operations at the West Mount Cotton Quarry attracted strong community interest. A petition opposing the expansion achieved more than 20,000 signatures in a fortnight.

We reported on the opportunity to make comments about the proposed quarry expansion in this story:

Karreman Quarries proposes offsets for koala habitat destruction

November

In November Redland City Council approved the demolition of an historic home at 219 Middle Street Cleveland. This was one about 40 historic homes that the Council had considered including in its Local Heritage Register.

We wrote about the application for demolition of this property in:

Demolition of local heritage house in Cleveland

October

A long running legal stoush resulted in Queensland’s Court of Appeal quashing plans for a new petrol station and retail outlet that conflicted with Redland City Council’s planning scheme.

King of Gifts Pty Ltd proposed in 2012 to develop a new petrol service station and retail outlet in Alexandra Hills, next to the roundabout at the southern end of Redland Bay Road.

Court quashes development that conflicts with Planning Scheme

September

Redland City Council has been considering improvements to the regulation of medium density in the Redland City Plan since May 2020.

Community consultation about the proposed amendments closed on 16 September 2021. We wrote about the opportunity to have your say here:

Improving medium density development in Redland City

August

Some residents in Birkdale have been severely impacted by changed overland flows resulting from a Council approved subdivision. In August, we reported on their plight:

Flooding impacts of Council approved subdivision

July

Cost benefit analysis of the proposed 3,600 apartment residential project between the Grand View Hotel and Toondah Harbour was discussed by Howard Guille in this story:

Cost-benefit analysis of the Toondah proposal

June

Redland City Council’s 2021/22 Budget was announced on 24 June 2021.

Council controlled rates and charges were increased by about 4.4% for home owners – more than double the 1.7% annual CPI increase to March 2021 (for Brisbane).

Analysis by Redlands2030 shows rates and charges increases for two example property valuations – $325,000 and $425,000. Because of the way that general rates are set for 2021/22, there was a large increase in general rates for properties with a valuation between $400,000 and $500,000.

Yet again, the rates discount for pensioners was not increased to compensate for inflation.

We wrote about the 2021/22 budget here:

Redland City Council Budget hits homeowners with increased costs

May

Lights in the Mud

More than 400 people celebrated World Migratory Bird Day at the ‘Lights in the Mud’ rally held late afternoon on 8 May 2021 in G.J. Walter Park, near Toondah Harbour.

Lights in the Mud a celebration of migratory birds

Council removes Pirate Ship from Beth Boyd Park

A decision to remove the much loved pirate ship from Beth Boyd Park in Thorneside was announced by Redland City Council in May 2021.

“Sadly, it must be removed to ensure the safety of park users and the delicate ecological values of the marine zone in which it is situated” said Mayor Karen Williams.

April

For two days in April, the community was given an opportunity to inspect Willard’s farm and part of the Birkdale lands bought by Redland City Council from the Federal Government in 2019.

These open days were part of a Redland City Council consultation exercise about future uses of the Birkdale lands.

A few months later, Redland City Council adopted a vision for development of this site which is centred around a white water sports facility proposed for use at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

Comments provided to Redland City Council (obtained by Redlands2030 through Right to Information) showed an overwhelming community preference for the site’s heritage and environment attributes to be respected.

Birkdale Community Precinct Vision ignores community feedback

March

The Federal MP for Bowman (Andrew Laming) apologized in Parliament for his on-line behaviour to two women in March 2021, though this apology was “withdrawn” a few months later.

The LNP decided that Mr Laming would not be their candidate for the next Federal election.

Five people nominated to be the LNP’s new candidate for Bowman including Redland City Mayor Karen Williams who disclosed in a leaked preselection campaign video that she has had a”long term affiliation with the LNP”.

The party ignored comments from Prime Minister Scott Morrison that he wanted a strong female candidate to replace Andrew Laming. Mr Henry Pike (the sole male nominee) emerged as the new LNP candidate for Bowman.

It’s understood that Mayor Karen Williams finished in third place.

February

Destruction of koala habitat at Cowley Street in Ormiston in late January provoked community outrage including several letters to Redlands2030 and a community organised demonstration outside Redland City Council’s February meeting.

A section of the koala habitat was not felled because a koala named Ember was living in one of the trees. Shamefully, the state government authorised the capture and eviction of Ember in August.

The remaining koala trees on the Cowley Street site were felled on 30 August 2021.

January

In January we reported about the impending demolition of a historic home at 509 Main Street, Wellington Point. This was one of about 40 properties proposed for inclusion in the Redlands City Local Heritage Register.

Wellington Point heritage property to be demolished

Demolition was delayed while the property was nominated unsuccessfully for inclusion in the Queensland Heritage Register, at the request of Mayor Karen Williams.

Demolition was then postponed due to Council approving a temporary local planning instrument which was intended to protect the properties proposed for inclusion in the Local Heritage Register.

But the Planning and Environment Court approved demolition of the property, with Judge Richard Jones saying that Redland City Council – in appealing to the government to have a stop work order put on the property – had failed to provide any evidence that the house should be saved.

The property was demolished in September 2021.

Redlands2030 reviews for earlier years

If you want to know what happened in earlier years:

2020 in Redland City – a Redlands2030 review

2019 in review – a Redlands2030 recap

Redland City in 2018 – a Redlands2030 recap

Redlands2030 – 31 December 2021