Redland City Bulletin recently ran a news item Call for bushland plan concerning the future of the Commonwealth land at Birkdale. In this article Mayor Williams was quoted as saying “the future use (of the Commonwealth land) will be determined by the community….we don’t yet know what the community wants on the land”.
Mayor Williams, this is what Birkdale Progress Association wants on the land.
Willard’s Farm
Willard’s Farm
Birkdale Progress Association (BPA) has been a community voice for Willard’s farm (the old farmhouse) and the Commonwealth land for many years. The old home and the Commonwealth land are historically connected. Together they comprised Willard’s farm, established during the 1860s by James and Margaret Willard.
The future of the old home and the Commonwealth land remain uncertain, however.
Environmental protection
The Commonwealth land has healthy koala habitat. Two surveys conducted by the State Environment Department and a small, recent survey by Koala Action Group (KAG) found koalas.
BPA wants the environment protected on this land as it has a rich biodiversity – koalas, Glider possums, wallabies, native bees, etc.
Indigenous heritage
The Commonwealth land has significant Indigenous cultural heritage. BPA has been told that prior to European settlement, the land was a tribal meeting ground where wrestling matches took place. Archaeological research will inform us further of Quandamooka cultural heritage.
BPA wants Indigenous cultural heritage protected on this land.
European Heritage
BPA has applied for Commonwealth Heritage Listing of the communications centre, formerly the US Radio Receiving Station, built in 1942 by General Douglas MacArthur, for the war effort. The building, situated in an open section of the land, should be protected as a museum telling the story of the Australian-American war effort and the history of radio.
BPA wants European heritage protected on this land.
In September 2015 when I addressed council [Speech commences at 21:40 on the meeting video recording] to request the purchase of the Willard farmhouse, Redland City Council didn’t have a Heritage Policy. It still doesn’t have one in 2018.
So Mayor Williams, is heritage valued in Redland City?
Without a Heritage policy what is the future of the Willard’s farmhouse and the US Radio Receiving Station? How will the story of South Sea Islanders, used as labourers at Willard’s farm, be revealed?
BPA wants Heritage protected on this land.
Gateway to Quandamooka Country
The Commonwealth land has the potential to become the jewel of the Redlands, the gateway to Quandamooka country. This wonderful piece of open space lies 25 minutes from Brisbane CBD, close to public transport and on the way to the ferry terminal at Cleveland. It is a unique piece of land that is not found in other cities. It has Environmental, Indigenous and European significance that must be valued.
Mayor Williams, this is Redland City Council’s chance to protect and promote the past, the present and the future of the Commonwealth land and the Willard farmhouse, valued by the people of the Redlands and of great significance to locals and national and international tourists.
Pam Spence
President
Birkdale Progress Assoc Inc
Further reading
Don’t develop the Birkdale Commonwealth lands
BPA says Council should protect our heritage
Willards Farm – part of the Redlands heritage
Published by Redlands2030 – 17 June 2018
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2 Comments
Sounds to me like Mr Cheng is an environmental vandal with no heritage values. How many houses has he seen in Redlands, intact, like Willard Homestead, built in mid-1800’s adjacent to the Commonwealth land? Seems he wants to support the building industry only… leaving nothing of value to the community at large who want to promote the Commonwealth land for tourism and giving future generations a glimpse into our past of Indigenous and European heritage. It is well known local developers prefer to fill the land with housing in one form or another & agree with comments by a Taringa resident that…’most developers don’t give a damn about the city, as they are primarily concerned with filling their saddlebags’… and Mr Cheng is happy to support them. This is one time that Mayor Williams should exercise her power to, instead of bowing to demands of developers, rightly supports, as she stated in Redland City Bulletin, and I quote: ‘future use of the land will be determined by the community’.
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What sort of environment or heritage value does this land have?? Nothing! Just an eye sore and could be used for better things like schools or low cost housing or apartments for them who need it.