A report on the second round of community consultation for the Birkdale Community Precinct (BCP) was dead-locked five-five and carried by the Mayor's deciding vote at the council's general meeting.
Two Councillors slammed minimal planning reports at the meeting on Wednesday.
Redland Councillors passed the Draft Birkdale Community Land Precinct Consultation Report five votes to five, with Councillors Wendy Boglary, Adelia Berridge, Paul Golle, Paul Bishop and Lance Hewlett voted against the motion.
Cr Bishop and Cr Boglary spoke against the report. They said their communities had expressed disappointment about the consultation process and believed further reports in the precinct were necessary.
Cr Bishop was interrupted with points of order throughout his speech and only spoke for 2.45 minutes of his allocated five, and said residents were not specifically asked if they would like a whitewater facility in the Redlands.
"Throughout the entire consultation process, there has been a sense of urgency and haste, which has meant our decisions have been progressed without the benefit of access to full information," he said.
"If someone can show me a clear business case that mitigate risk for this proposal, I will be able to put my mind at rest and be honest with my community that this is an affordable and appropriate way to progress toward our shared future."
Bishop proposed a separate motion which was moved in council on statutory planning pathways for the BCP to allow for more reports and research to be done into the precinct.
Cr Bishop was supported by Cr Boglary, who agreed more reports were necessary and that she was worried about the funding for costs to run and maintain the facility long term.
The five councillors were asked about their motives for their votes against the reports, and most attributed their talks with the community and a lack of research reports done.
- Paul Bishop said: The reports suggest our community likes most of the plans for the precinct. Yet, I know many of my residents were shocked and dismayed that the council announced Olympic plans on 1 April 2021 during consultation, while residents were asked to 'Imagine' their preferred future on one of the most significantly constrained 62-hectare site in the city. As a result, I have withheld my support for many of the proposals to advance ambitious plans relating to the Birkdale Precinct since 2021. At present, I have more questions than answers for my community.
- Adelia Berridge said: There's much community angst over this at present. After attending a community meeting this Tuesday night, I could see we needed to deep dive into the whole matter. The information came through at that meeting and was followed up with an email that required further attention.
- Wendy Boglary said: What is the cost of getting that infrastructure? It could be millions of dollars that we are really not aware of. If we can't afford it going forward, if it's going to be a financial burden on ratepayers, we need to know this before we get carried away with all the wonderful and positive things about it. I've had my own opinion right from the beginning, but I'm hearing it every time I go out in the community.
- Paul Golle said: I don't believe there should be an Olympic proposal for the Redlands, due to the QLD State Government not supporting Redland City Council full stop. The QLD State Government, despite my writing to the premier's office three times, has not provided me with any assurance they support the Redland City Council. In fact, they have done everything in their power to give the council a black eye of late.
- Lance Hewlett did not respond.
Emily Lowe
Redland City Bulletin journalist covering community, politics, crime and human interest stories. Griffith University Alumni.
Redland City Bulletin journalist covering community, politics, crime and human interest stories. Griffith University Alumni.
