The Federal Government has decided to reconsider its earlier decision that the proposed Redland Whitewater Centre and other parts of developing the Birkdale Community Precinct would not be a controlled action under Federal environmental laws.
The Government’s reconsideration is in response to a request from local community and environment groups (including CARP, Redlands2030 and the Koala Action Group) who put forward new scientific information showing a serious risk that excavation and other works for the proposed Redland Whitewater Centre could harm a groundwater aquifer which supports nearby trees used by endangered koalas.
The community has until 27 August to submit comments to the Federal Government about this reconsideration request.
If the Federal Government agrees that it should regulate this project as a Controlled Action, it could require Redland City Council to do an environmental impact statement which would ensure that all impacts of the proposed Redland Whitewater Centre are examined thoroughly in a report made available for public consultation.
Comments can be provided to the Federal Government online through the EPBC website
If you wish to support the reconsideration request, here are some suggested comments that you could make to the Federal Government. This information is provided in the order required to complete the Federal Government’s online form for making comments. Alternatively you could copy and paste this information into an email, and send it to EPBC.Referrals@dcceew.gov.au
Make a comment about reconsideration of the Redland Whitewater Centre decision
Provide title for your comment:
PUBLIC SUBMISSION: EPBC 2026/10471 –
Reconsideration Request (Section 78) – Birkdale Community Precinct & Redland Whitewater Centre
Submission made by email to EPBC.Referrals@dcceew.gov.au
Provide your full name:
(add your name here)
Provide your email:
(add your email here)
I request a reply to this email address to confirm receipt of my submission.
1. Do you consider there is substantial new information available about the impacts the action has, will have or is likely to have on a matter protected under Part 3* of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act?)?
If unsure, skip this question and provide your comments in the comment box below.
Yes
Provide reasons for your answer and/or any comments below.
New research shows koala trees near the Whitewater Centre likely rely on a shallow underground water table that extends into the protected Conservation Zone. No complete on-site testing has been done to see how Whitewater construction might affect this. Without these studies, we don’t know how construction could harm the groundwater. If this water table drops, impacted koala trees will experience water stress causing leaf canopy loss rendering them unfit as a koala food source, and ultimately risking tree dieback. These trees are in protected national, state, and federal zones near the Whitewater Centre.
2. Do you consider there has been a substantial change in circumstances that was not foreseen at the time of the first referral decision and that relates to the impacts the action has, or will have or is likely to have on a matter protected under Part 3* of the EPBC Act?
If unsure, skip this question and provide your comments in the comment box below.
Yes
Provide reasons for your answer and/or any comments below.
New research shows key koala trees in the Conservation Zone rely on shallow groundwater, especially in dry periods. This groundwater extends under much of the Birkdale Community Precinct, not just the Whitewater Centre. Construction of the Whitewater Centre could lower groundwater, harming koala trees even without clearing land. This calls for urgent further study.
3. If applicable, provide any other comments on whether you consider there are reasons to revoke the first referral decision and substitute a new decision. This may include any other comments on whether a matter referred to in any of the paragraphs 78(1)(a) to (ca) of the EPBC Act applies in relation to the action.
(The current version of the EPBC Act can be accessed through the agency’s website).
A new decision should declare the project a Controlled Action, requiring a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess risks to groundwater and koala habitat. An EIS would require detailed field studies to identify groundwater-dependent ecosystems; assessment of direct (excavation) and indirect (lowering groundwater) impacts; and studies beyond the construction footprint into the wider Conservation Zone. These studies must follow Queensland guidelines and include multi-year groundwater monitoring with multiple bores. These studies would fill gaps in earlier limited drilling and data.
Alternative:
Consider rejecting the Referral, which would prevent construction of the Whitewater Centre and avoid environmental risks, while noting a world-class Olympic Whitewater facility already exists in Penrith, NSW.
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Ask any Local Government what infrastructure consumes the most amount of ratepayers funds for maintainable.
The answer will be in all cases…. swimming pools.
The white water complex will be no different….
How much more information do you need to see the damage done and has been done and will be done. I hope common sense prevails
The Proposed Whitewater development should not go ahead. Quite simply, this is protected Koala habitat and needs to remain protected. For tye Koalas and every other Native Creatures who will be impacted by this
The Whitewater recreational facilities infrastructure will require ongoing scheduled & preventive maintenance programs, most of that cost will be passed on the the RCC ratepayers – what is the current maintenance costs as it sits now being a wildlife sanctory & habitat for native flora & fauna.
There has been so much unjustified destruction to koala and wildlife habitat already in the Redlands. It is inconceivable why Australian governments want to continue the slaughter. Once the wildlife is gone, it is gone forever, no matter how many trees you plant.
With overwhelming Ratepayer objections to the proposed Whitewater facility and the huge ongoing costs of water, energy and maintenance which will effect us for years to come (all for a 2 week sports event which may use the facility for a couple of days) it’s not difficult to understand why we choose koalas and water security over white elephants.
At no stage have we been provided with the business plan or any ongoing costings for the facility. The fact all other similar facilities have run at a substantial loss has not been addressed.
The destruction of Koala habitat in the Redlands has been huge and is still ongoing with this disastrous niche event facility.
It is an absolute disgrace to go ahead with this proposal when RCC will not provide any costing for ratepayers. When consultation was done a few years, residents did not vote for this facility. Overwhelmingly they wanted to maintain a natural environment. Also Birkdale Road will be a nightmare for residents trying to go about life as it a carpark at the moment during peak hour. The clearing of land in Redlands is out of control only making developers and council richer.