A community survey of 347 local residents has left no doubt that the proposed 2032 Olympic Whitewater Centre is not wanted in the Redlands.
“Our July survey, conducted in multiple locations across the Redlands, confirms what we have clearly known since 2021 – this proposed Olympic Whitewater Centre is unwanted, unnecessary and an irresponsible waste of $100 million of taxpayers’ money,” said Lavinia Wood, spokesperson for the Community Alliance for Responsible Planning (CARP) Redlands Inc.
“When asked ‘Do you want a Whitewater Centre in the Redlands?’ 79% of Redlanders surveyed said NO”, she said.
What’s more, nearly 89% said they were not happy that all operating costs are to be carried by Redlands ratepayers and 91% thought that Council should not borrow some $50 million to pay for supporting infrastructure into the greenfield Birkdale site (such as sewerage, water, power) as it was not wise use of our money.
While nearly 83% of those surveyed were aware of the proposed Whitewater Centre, just over 48% of respondents believed that the venue was to include a Southbank style swimming lagoon – a confusion arising from misleading graphics consistently published by Redland City Council and local media.
“These survey findings confirm Council’s own 2021 community consultation, in which Redlanders did not support Whitewater, but said we wanted to protect the Natural, Indigenous Cultural and European Heritage values of the special Birkdale lands. We want wild koalas, not a whitewater elephant,” Ms Wood said.
“The findings also confirm our 2023 petition to the Queensland Parliament, which garnered 2,574 signatures asking that the Redlands Whitewater Centre be stopped.”
“Yet in May this year, despite the wishes of the community, six Redland City Councillors voted in favour of an Olympic Whitewater Centre in Birkdale. Mayor Jos Mitchell and four other Councillors voted against it, but were outnumbered 6-5.”
“It appears what we have here in the Redlands is a rogue Council determined to burden us with an Olympic venue we don’t want, on special lands where it should never be.”
“Clearly it is time for Premier Steven Miles to step in and stop this debacle. The solution is simple. The Premier can rescue the Redlands, and save $100 million of public funds, by holding the 2032 Canoe Slalom events at the existing Sydney 2000 Olympic Whitewater Stadium in Penrith, NSW, as International Olympic Committee policy says he should.”
I have to ask why the Council does not do proper opinion surveys rather than use project consultation which brings so many other issues.
It seems a simple ask…what does the community think?
If the people get the (so-called) wrong answer at least show some respect! Or if the people are out of synch with council at least there is are options to try and tell a better story! Maybe try and convince those ratepayers of the merit of an out-of-step proposal! or better still …listen to the people. I’d also suggest the Councillors themselves listen to the debate of that meeting (15 May)…it was embarrassing…bad, insulting behaviours, no listening to other Councilors and of course ignoring the voice of the people. It would be a lesson for all but probably not one “they want to learn.
As a former Councillor, River rafting guide and kayaker, resident of the Australian Institute of Sport, and graduate of the UCan Sports Studies program, where I studied the economics of large sporting events, I can say that this is the dumbest thing I ever heard. The Redlands needs a whitewater center like a fish needs a bike. It is perhaps even dumber than proposing a 3600 unit housing land reclamation in a Ramsar wetland as a way of paying for a transport facility upgrade…The former Mayor was responsible for both. And now her remaining foot soldiers on Council (Mitchell, Talty, Hughes, McKenzie), assisted by the Laming supported Councillors (Rendalls and Colley) use their numbers on Council, in defiance of the huge mandate given to the Mayor, to continue to commit ratepayers for years to come to pay and pay and pay for something they won’t use. Gold Medal stupidity.
Agreed!
Gold Medal Stupidity – totally agree.
Am very annoyed that this council never listens to us.
Oh you are so right!! Why can’t you be the mayor !
Thankyou for those names , I’ve been trying to recall said “foot soldiers” identities!
I am ready to get rid of these councillors. Can we? They are not listening to the people of the Redlands.