Why would anyone think it a good idea to locate a public swimming lagoon and whitewater facility in an area known to be infested with biting midges? This and other whitewater questions are raised in letters to the Editor.
These letters highlight the importance of open governance, the need for meaningful community engagement, and accountability for decision-making when public money is being spent.
Add your thoughts about the proposed whitewater project in an email to: theeditor@redlands2030.net
What about the biting midges?
Has anyone considered the potential midge problem associated with the proposed Birkdale Whitewater facility?
I used to paddle with the Wynnum Redlands Canoe Club on the banks of Tingalpa Creek. Every time I went paddling there, I had to wear long clothing and cover myself with insect repellent because of the midges.
Given the proposed Whitewater facility will involve substantial water infrastructure in a natural, flood-prone environment, and that it will be mainly used by kids then surely the potential for midges and other biting insects deserves proper consideration.
If Council is going to promote this project as a community asset, residents deserve to know what assessment has been made of the potential impacts on public amenity and health.
Perhaps Council could tell us: has the midge issue actually been investigated?
J.S.
Wellington Point
Romp in the park
No doubt the primary school students enjoyed exercising their imagination to conceptualise a lagoon whitewater lazy river at the Birkdale site, but one can’t help think a real, practical learning opportunity relevant to their school curriculum was missed.
An essential primary student pathway we all recall is exploring the hydrologic cycle – rainfall, absorption, runoff, evaporation, transpiration etc.
As unhappy coincidence would have it, exposed whitewater channels and associated shallow concrete lined basins provide a litmus test of evaporation potential in high evaporation-rate latitudes like Brisbane.
To explain, the water capacity of the Redlands whitewater course is estimated at 18,000m3 or 18 million litres. Cited in the same Feasibility Study, is an assessment of annual whitewater course evaporation losses, being (wait for it… 18,750m3 !
Yes, the estimated volume of water given up to evaporation annually is equivalent to 100%+ of whitewater course capacity!
As we stare down a future of inconsistent weather and prolonged drier periods driven by climate change, and El-Ninos, it remains a source of sheer bewilderment that we’d be investing in such water-thirsty, expensive, niche infrastructure ostensibly for a 2 week canoe-slalom event in 6 years.
But I digress – so developing an understanding and respect for natural evaporation processes that the Redlands Whitewater represents might have been a more valuable take-away from this student field-trip, rather than a site visit for the purpose of imaginary pretence.
In all replenishing evaporation losses to this annual volume is planned to be sourced at regular intervals from the SEQ water grid, this will be at Bulk Water pricing rates!
M.D.
Redland Bay
Poor use of public money
I do not support Redland City Council’s proposal for a whitewater facility at Birkdale.
To me, it represents a poor use of public money, unnecessary environmental impacts and the loss of valuable animal habitat. The proposed site is also known to be flood-prone, raising obvious questions about whether this is the right location for such an expensive facility.
We already have a public swimming pool at Cleveland. Rather than spending millions on a new whitewater facility, why not invest in upgrading and improving the Cleveland pool so it better meets the community’s needs?
Council’s first obligation should be to act in the public interest — not to pursue projects simply because they are available or politically attractive.
Before committing substantial public funds to the Birkdale whitewater proposal, Council should demonstrate clearly that it represents the best environmental, financial and community outcome for Redlands.
At present, I don’t believe it does.
C.J.
Redland Bay
More letters to Redlands2030
Whitewater questions but no answers – letters
Survey about beach access, Ramsar opportunities, political polling – in letters
Ratepayers question Redland City Council’s financial management
