FEDERAL MP Andrew Laming has stolen council’s fire by revealing the city’s new brand name – Redlands Coast.
Despite this, councillors are yet to make a decision on the branding, expected to include a name, logo and taglines.
Mr Laming told a Raby Bay crowd at Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s Redlands visit that the city would become “Redlands Coast” within months.
“I don’t know if everyone’s happy about that but, consistent with the Gold and Sunshine Coast, you now proudly have a Redlands Coast,” he said.
Council started the rebranding work about a year ago, so far incurring $223,990 on research and development of a brand proposal.
The process is intended to drive tourism and business opportunities to the Redlands.
The Redlands Coast term has emerged over recent months with councillors asking people to say “Welcome to Redlands Coast” while being filmed during the prime minister’s visit and at the Commonwealth Games Baton Relay event at Cleveland.
A council spokesperson said the place branding and project details had not yet gone to council for a decision and endorsement.
The spokesperson said they had consulted with almost 5000 residents, visitors, business owners and stakeholders since July last year.
“The consultation showed significant community support for developing a clear identity and discernible image for the Redlands,” the spokesperson said.
Mayor Karen Williams said in November the Redlands coast and Redland coast were surprise names put forward in focus groups.
They reflected Redlands’ 220 kilometres of coastline, including the mainland and island shorelines.
The council spokesperson said place branding was important.
“Place branding is recognised worldwide as an important tool to support the functions of government in fostering city pride and achieving economic goals, job creation and the right type of growth to match community values and culture,” the spokesperson said.
Last year Redland City Bulletin readers wrote stories about the Redlands strongest selling points for council to use in preparing branding material.
Earlier this year council appealed for people to apply to be in promotional material to showcase the Redlands as part of the branding.
