An alliance of community organisations in Redland City is urging the Federal Environment Department to apply the highest level of scrutiny to Redland City Council’s proposal to construct the 2032 Olympic Whitewater Centre adjacent to Core Koala Habitat within the designated sensitive conservation lands of the Birkdale Community Precinct.
The Council recently submitted a referral under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
The community groups warn that failure to designate the proposal as a ‘Controlled Action’ would risk serious and irreversible environmental harm and would cause the demise of the local koala population.
The Community Alliance for Responsible Planning (CARP), Redlands2030 Inc, the Koala Action Group, the Birkdale Progress Association and the Wildlife Preservation Society Queensland Bayside Branch have all lodged detailed submissions highlighting significant risks and gaps associated with the Council’s proposal, which also includes other future developments across the wider Precinct.
“The referral lacks critical detail, is incomplete and not fit for purpose,” said Mr Steve MacDonald, President of Redlands2030 Inc.
“Key elements—including groundwater impacts, traffic volumes, visitor numbers, future uses, construction methods, and long-term environmental management—remain unclear or absent,” he said.
The groups argue that only a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) can truly assess the scale, complexity, and risks of the project. Anything less would limit informed assessment and decision-making by the Federal Minister and his Department.
The community submissions refute Redland City Council’s claim to a glowing record of environmental stewardship, noting that in the past thirty years the Redlands’ koala population has plummeted from a viable cohort of some 4000 animals to an at-risk population now counted in the hundreds.
Also noted is Redland City Council’s reticence to finalise the 2019 Conservation Agreement with the Federal Government, an Agreement designed to protect and conserve biodiversity on the Birkdale land.
At the centre of the concern is the survival of one of Southeast Queensland’s remaining — yet endangered—koala populations. The proposed site is not marginal land; it is a functioning, connected habitat and wildlife corridor with high conservation value. Scientific data indicates that at least 21 koalas have relied on this area in recent years.
Construction of an industrial scale whitewater facility with associated roads and infrastructure would fragment habitat, remove critical vegetation, and introduce human disturbance into a sensitive ecosystem at an unsustainable level.
Considerable earthworks would be required, similar to construction of the whitewater facility used for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Concerns for koalas also include construction impacts during the estimated two-year excavation/ construction phase required to build the massive concrete Whitewater course. Apart from fauna exclusion fencing, noise and heavy vehicle traffic, potential disruption to critical groundwater systems could affect the Core Habitat koalas depend on, with modelling considered insufficient to rule out these risks.
“Community consultation has shown very limited support for a Whitewater Centre, yet these findings have been consistently ignored. The project continues to advance without transparent justification or clear evidence of broad community backing,” said Ms Lavinia Wood, President of CARP Redlands Inc.
“A large majority of residents recognise the limitations of a Whitewater Centre for community use, as well as the significant and ongoing financial burden that owning and operating the facility would likely mean for Redlands ratepayers – and simply do not want it.”
“What Redlanders do want is to protect and conserve the special environmental and cultural values of the Birkdale Community Precinct.”
The proposal’s proximity to internationally recognised wetlands within the Moreton Bay Ramsar site further elevates the stakes. What’s more, the lands of the Birkdale Community Precinct hold sites of significant European and Indigenous Cultural heritage.
“These values must be honoured and protected,” said Ms Pam Spence, President of Birkdale Progress Association Inc who also questioned the compatibility of a Whitewater Centre with such values.
The groups contend that an evidence-based review would demonstrate the proposal is unsuitable for one of the region’s last intact conservation areas.
“We recognise the pressure to deliver Olympic venues, but this must not come at the expense of proper environmental assessment,” said Ms Debbie Pointing, President of the Koala Action Group Inc.
“The long-term impacts on local ecosystems and communities must be fully understood before any decision is made.”
Mr Steve Homewood, President of Wildlife Preservation Society Qld – Bayside Branch agreed, adding “This is not a minor local development—it has national environmental implications. Approving it without rigorous assessment risks setting a dangerous precedent for development in protected areas.”
A viable and practical alternative exists in the form of the Penrith Whitewater Stadium in New South Wales, an established Olympic facility which was previously recommended by the International Olympic Committee for use in the 2032 Olympic Games, as per the IOC policy which encourages use of existing venues.
By using the Penrith facility, not only could the estimated $100 million in capital costs be saved, but the clear and present environmental and financial risks associated with developing a new and unwanted facility on the Birkdale lands could be avoided.
“Clearly the Minister’s decision will shape the future of the Birkdale landscape,” Ms Wood added.
“Without proper scrutiny, the environmental cost will be permanent—and the community will bear the consequences.”
“This is all in the hands of the Minister now,” Ms Wood concluded.
Keep up the pressure Redlands2030 – well done a great article.