Queensland Touch Football deserves full credit for its outstanding three-day carnival in Cleveland from 9–11 July.
With around 4,000 players and an estimated 17,500 visitors spending time at the Redland Showgrounds and Henry Ziegenfusz Park, this event provided a welcome economic boost for local businesses and showcased Redlands as a first-class sporting destination.
The organisers did their job well. Nearby residents were notified well in advance, participants were courteous, and the carnival itself ran smoothly.
The problem wasn’t the event. It was Redland City Council’s failure to adequately manage traffic impacts on surrounding neighbourhoods.
Residents had been warned that local streets would be busy, but many found streets clogged with illegally parked vehicles blocking driveways, occupying footpaths and parking too close to intersections.
In some locations, roads became so restricted that access was difficult, raising legitimate concerns about emergency vehicle access.
When Council approves major events—and in many cases helps fund them—it should also accept responsibility for ensuring neighbouring residents are not left to bear the consequences.
Simply warning people that congestion is likely is not an adequate traffic management strategy.
Some residents contacted their local councillor and were advised that infringement notices had been issued.
Yet it seems locals saw little evidence of Council compliance officers or police during the periods when illegal parking was at its worst.
If enforcement is largely confined to normal office hours, it is clearly not aligned with the demands of major weekend and evening events.
Redlands should continue attracting events of this calibre. They are good for our economy, our sporting reputation and our community.
But Council should recognise that successful event management extends beyond the venue gates.
At least some impacted residents who contacted Redlands2030 feel that the same care devoted to hosting touch football visitors to our City, should be applied to protecting the safety, access and amenity of the people who live nearby the venues.
