Whitewater nightmare or Olympic dream – letters to Redlands2030

Letters to the Editor – 25 September 2023

Whitewater nightmare or Olympic dream – what do you think about the Councils plans for the Birkdale Precinct?

Two other letters about Birkdale whitewater plans discuss the recent Interim Report of a Senate Inquiry, and an open letter to the mayor and councillors.

A petition to Queensland Parliament opposing plans for a $100 million whitewater facility at Birkdale has been signed by 2,387 people.

If you have something to say about a matter of local interest, email a short letter to:

theeditor@redlands2030.net

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Open Letter to Councillors was a Winner

I appreciated the open letter to the Redland City Council and its councillors by the Birkdale Alliance. Fancy having to alert elected officials about the whitewater nightmare at Birkdale.

It was a sad comment about the competence of most of the elected representatives but an excellent way to present the arguments.

In fact, it put forward points that just can’t be argued against.  But  I’m sure the proponents will try to justify their decision-making in the face of the huge financial black hole they are overlooking or skating past without equivocation. This problem is one of their own volition. Of course “they” won’t be around to pay the real costs.  

Clearly, Councillors are going down a path that has little community support. 

Being wedded to a whitewater facility that benefits so few is just obscene.  It is a sad state of affairs and no one seems genuinely accountable

B.H.
Redland City

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Whitewater nightmare

My thoughts on the proposed Birkdale Whitewater Stadium, that is now creating a serious nightmare in our Redlands community follow.

We had an opportunity to go online and have our say, and many Ratepayers put forward their ideas and concerns. Council have still not provided simple facts and figures, final plans and design to the Redlands Community, for example, long-term operational and maintenance costs, also initial and ongoing infrastructure harnessing precious water and power cost, predicted droughts are also being forecast in the coming years. 

Redland City Council needs to be honest and transparent with this controversial Project. Currently, the details are extremely ambiguous with no clear plans or costs. There needs to be Community Consultation in its final stages. The planning, costing and uses should be disclosed so we can envisage what will create obvious anger in our Redlands.

The Redland City Council has an opportunity to create a lasting legacy for the Birkdale Precinct, with the right Planning but it must be done with the community and in a holistic way. It offers a unique location and experience for tourists, and locals visiting our City. But the ends do not justify the means and I am very disappointed with most Councillors, especially those claiming to be about “protecting community values”!

M.S.
Victoria Point

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Thanks to the senators

I never thought I’d say this but I am grateful the ‘unrepresentative swill‘ of the Australian Senate for calling out the Redland City Council and the Queensland State Government about the lack of transparency and accountability in their mad pursuit of an unwanted whitewater facility at Birkdale.

Are Councillors really so bereft of ideas on which to spend millions of dollars so that they satisfy themselves with a project costing $100M which will “deliver so much to so few”. So few people are interested in white water events and yes there are far more deserving causes!

I also like the way “they” use their own propaganda social media outlet (Redlands Coast Today). It is paid for by ratepayers to deliver carefully crafted and tilted stories and narratives. Its really adds the cream to a self-serving agenda.

N.M.
Cleveland

More Letters To The Editor

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Wildlife protection and the housing shortage in southeast Queensland

Toondah And The Housing Crisis – Letters

Redlands2030 – 25 September 2023