CBD package extended and new Horizon at Runnymede

At Wednesday's council meeting, it was decided to extend the $1.5million Cleveland CBD Development Incentives Program for two years until June 30, 2017.

Under the extended package, council will provide waive fees for development applications and infrastructure charges on a "first come, first served" basis for new approved material change of use developments.

Developers of aged care facilities, special needs housing, apartment buildings commercial offices, community facilities, hotels and ventures including cinemas, convention centres or fitness centres can all apply for the concessions.

In February 2013, council set up a $1.5million incentive package fund designed to pay for infrastructure and development application fees for businesses undertaking projects within the business district.

The incentives were then extended to tourist accommodation providers across the city

Mayor Karen Williams said it was perfect timing for the second phase of the incentives package and there had already been waivers for development application fees.

Only councillor Paul Gleeson voted against the move.

Also at Wednesday's meeting, it was decided to make Capalaba the home to a new facility specially designed to help people with disabilities.

Community-based organisation Horizon Foundation lodged a development application to build a 1600sqm facility on Redland City Council land at 377-385 Redland Bay Road, Capalaba.

It is expected the building will accommodate meeting rooms, training facilities, an employment service, family case management services, and an early-intervention centre.

The early-intervention centre, which will be located inside the facility, will be built using $450,000 from the Ian McDougall Trust.

Horizon will also house its Social Enterprise service, which employs people with disabilities, at Runnymede.

Horizon Foundation chief executive Joe Gamblin said the project was a major win for Redland residents.

"Council has wanted to activate this site for years but nobody has had the money to do it," he said.

"By us going on to this site, it will provide opportunities for other community groups because it opens up the balance of the site because we are putting the infrastructure in.

"This is probably the biggest community services infrastructure project in Redland City and we are proud to have the support of council to make this exciting initiative possible," he said.

Only councillors Julie Talty (Division 6) and Paul Gleeson (Division 9) voted against the Horizon move.

Council also set aside $20,000 for international ambassadors, who champion the city abroad.

The money will be used to provide adequate resourcing for trade and delegation visits and sister and friendship city visits.

It was decided to revise council's International Relations Policy Guidelines in a bid to establish new sister city relationships.

Redlands has a sister city relationship with Qinghuangdao in China and there is a Friendship Agreement with Yong In, in South Korea.

One of the city's biggest international advocates is Dr Tetsuo Mizuno from the Australia-Japan Wildlife Conservation and Education Foundation.

The foundation has already played a part in forging cultural ties between Japan's Kani city and Redland.

Dr Mizuno was integral in linking Cleveland District State High School with schools in Kani and was part of a trade delegation which introduced wine from Sirromet to Japan.

It was his idea to set up bilateral video-conferencing language classes between Cleveland High and Kani schools for students to discuss environmental issues.  

Dr Mizuno said the relationship had flourished since students at Cleveland District State High had started skyping students in Kani City.

"In September, we will host 100 students from Japan who will visit Sirromet and Stradbroke Island and the Lighthouse at Cleveland," he said.

"The mayor has supported our ventures and we hope they will strengthen."

Sirromet vintner Adam Chapman said bilateral relationships were important and his wines had benefited from strong ties with Japan forged by Dr Misuno and the council. 

"We were in Kani City recently where our wine is being sold and I've seen many other industries benefit from relationships started from food and wine exports and sales," he said.

"Who knows where this will lead - it started from a cultural exchange with students learning a different language and then to exchange of food and wine and now tourism."

Councillors Lance Hewlett (Division 4) and Murray Elliott (Division 7) voted against the $20,000 allocation.