Redland City

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Redland City
Queensland
SEQ-Councils-Redland.png
Map of Redland City in South East Queensland
Population 147,437 (2013)[1]
 • Density 274.506/km2 (710.97/sq mi)
Established 1948
Area 537.1 km2 (207.4 sq mi)
Mayor Karen Williams
Council seat Cleveland
Region South East Queensland
State electorate(s)
Federal Division(s) Bowman
Website Redland City
LGAs around Redland City:
Brisbane Moreton Bay Region Pacific Ocean
Brisbane Redland City Pacific Ocean
Logan Gold Coast Pacific Ocean

Redland City is a local government area of South East Queensland, spread along the southern coast of Moreton Bay covering 537.1 square kilometres (207.4 sq mi). It is located adjacent to the cities of Brisbane to the north, Logan to the west, and the Gold Coast to the south.

Redland attained city status on 15 March 2008, having been a shire since 1949 when it was created by the merger of the former shires Tingalpa and Cleveland.[2]

History[edit]

One of Redland City's koalas
A satellite view from the southwest of south Moreton Bay, Queensland. Labelled are the many islands created from the outflow of the Logan River behind the barrier of North and South Stradbroke Islands.
The Redland Museum, viewed from the Cleveland Showgrounds
North Stradbroke Island's beaches
Eastern Curlew visiting Cleveland in Redland City
Protest against planned marina and high rise buildings in Cleveland
Raby Bay Marina
Cassim Island viewed from G.J. Walter Park, Cleveland

On 11 November 1879, under the Divisional Boards Act 1879, the Tingalpa Division was created to govern the area to the east of metropolitan Brisbane. On 30 May 1885, the area around Cleveland split away to form the Cleveland Division. Under the Local Authorities Act 1902, both became Shires on 31 March 1903. The Tingalpa council met at Mount Cotton.

On 1 October 1925, a sizeable portion of the Shire of Tingalpa (including the suburbs of Upper Mount Gravatt and Rochedale) became part of the new City of Brisbane along with 20 other local governments.

On 9 December 1948, as part of a major reorganisation of local government in South East Queensland, an Order in Council renamed the Shire of Cleveland to be Shire of Redland and amalgamated part of Shire of Tingalpa into it (the other part of Tingalpa amalgamated to form the Shire of Albert). On 15 March 2008, Redland was granted city status.

Geography[edit]

Although most of the population resides on the main urban conglomeration based around the centres of Capalaba, Cleveland and Victoria Point, over 6,000 people live on islands in Moreton Bay that are part of the City. These are North Stradbroke, Coochiemudlo and the Southern Moreton Bay Islands of Karragarra, Lamb, Russell and Macleay.

Environment[edit]

Redland City has many immediately recognisable animals and plants such as koalas, migratory shorebirds, flying foxes and scribbly gum forests. It is also home to over 1,700 other recorded native species, many of which are under threat from population growth and its associated effects such as habitat clearing and fragmentation, roads, pollution and expanding development.[3]

In April 2013 the Redland City Council cleared vegetation from public land on the foreshores of Moreton Bay at the request of nearby residents. The Council has been required by the State Government to restore the cleared vegetation and install signage about the restoration.[4] Trees felled included many sheoaks.[5]

The city's koala population has declined significantly in recent years. In 2010 it was estimated that there were only 2,000 koalas left, a 65% decline since 1999. Figures from a count in 2012 have not yet been released by the Queensland Government.[6] The Redland City based Koala Action Group has warned that: "Rampant expansion of urban areas will lead to the loss of the koala populations that are vital to the long-term survival of the species."[7]

The city boundaries include internationally significant coastal wetlands within the Moreton Bay Ramsar site. Tidal flats, mangroves and seagrass beds provide important habitats for fish, Crustaceans and:

Freshwater systems in the Redlands catchment do not meet set ecosystem health values according to the Healthy Waterways Report Cards for both 2013 and 2014.[11] [12]

Fire ants have been detected in a number of Redland City suburbs with Sheldon and Mount Cotton being assessed by BioSecurity Queensland as high risk and requiring treatment by ground teams.[13]

Culture and heritage[edit]

Redland City has a number of important cultural facilities including:

  • Redland Art Gallery
  • Redland Museum
  • Redland Performing Arts Centre

Redland City has a number of heritage-listed sites, including the Cleveland Point Light[14]

The External links section of this article includes a link to a search of the Queensland Heritage Register which gives a complete list of all heritage-listed places in Redland City.

Economy[edit]

For the year ending 30 June 2013, Redland City's Gross Regional Product (GRP) was estimated to be 4.66 billion dollars. The City's economy grew by only 1.0% over the year to June 2013 compared with growth of 3.6% for the whole of Queensland.[15]

Year (Ending June) Redland City – % Change in GRP Queensland –  % Change in GRP
2013 1.0 3.6
2012 3.9 5.6
2011 2.2 0.4
2010 0.2 0.5
2009 1.2 1.2

Key industry sectors include health care and social assistance, retail trade, education and training, sand mining, construction and tourism.

47.2% of Redland City's employed residents who work travel outside of the area to work.[16]

North Stradbroke Island, one of the world's largest sand islands, has been the subject of sand mining operations since 1949.[17] In 2010 Queensland's Labor Government announced a phase out of the sand mining industry over a 17 year period with up to 80% of the island to be covered by national park. In April 2011, the government then extended key expired mining leases to allow mining to continue at the main Enterprise sand mine until the end of 2019. Sibelco wanted an extension to 2027. [18] In 2013 the LNP Government passed legislation that allows sand mining on the island for an extra 16 years from 2019 to 2035.[19]For mining to continue past 2019 at the Enterprise sand mine, the lease owner (currently Sibelco) would have to apply for an extension in 2019 under the legislative amendments passed by the Newman government in November 2013. However, if the amendments are repealed by a future government before 2019, the mine will close on 31 December 2019, the closure date legislated by the government in April 2011[20]

The circumstances leading up to this legislative amendment have been referred to Queensland's Crime and Misconduct Commission.[21] On 6 June 2014 North Stradbroke Island's traditional owners, the Quandamooka people, initiated a legal challenge saying that the LNP Government's extension of mining contravened the Federal Native Title Act.[22]

Toondah Harbour in Cleveland is the location of the Stradbroke Island Ferry Terminal used by water taxis and vehicular ferries to provide access to North Stradbroke Island. Cleveland's Toondah Harbour and Redland Bay's Weinam Creek were declared Priority Development Areas (PDAs) under the Economic Development Act 2012 on 21 June 2013. PDA designation means development can be fast-tracked but also means that local communities and interest groups have less opportunity to comment on issues of concern.[23]

The Government and Redland City Council have proposed PDA development schemes which have attracted widespread community opposition. On 23 February approximately 300 people attended a rally to protest against the Government's plans to "carve up" the G.J. Walter Park as part of its Toondah Harbour redevelopment proposal.[24] On 4 March 2014 a petition with 1,211 signatures calling for the Government's Toondah Harbour PDA plan to be withdrawn was tabled in the Queensland Parliament.[25]

On 31 May 2014 an approved development scheme was released[26] together with a lengthy report on the 583 submissions received during the consultation period.[27]

Local government[edit]

Redland City Council has a Mayor, and a Councillor for each of its 10 divisions. Elections are held every four years and voting is compulsory.

Karen Williams was elected mayor at the 2012 elections. She pledged to cap rate rises to inflation, control debt, abolish fees to dump rubbish at local tips, and make the council more transparent and accountable.[28]

For the year ending June 2014 the Council budgeted to achieve a surplus of $317,000 but is expected to post an operational deficit of $2 million.[29]

The 2014/15 Budget presented by Mayor Williams featured an operational deficit of $11.2 million and rates increasing by an average of 3.47%, more than the 2.9% inflation rate as measured by the Australian CPI.[30]

Suburbs[edit]

Redland City consists of the following suburbs and localities:[31]

Redland City also includes a number of uninhabited or sparsely populated islands in Moreton Bay, including[32]

  • Peel Island
  • Cassim Island near Cleveland is a low-lying area of mangroves with seagrass around it which provides a high value habitat for wading birds and other fauna.[33] It is named after William Cassim, an early Cleveland hotel keeper.[34]

Chairmen[edit]

Other notable members of the Redland Council include:

Population[edit]

Capalaba Library, 2008
View east from Mount Cotton, 2014
Year Population
1947 5,211
1954 7,365
1961 10000
1966 12,632
1971 16,672
1976 27,539
1981 42,527
1986 58,501
1991 80,690
1996 100,101
2001 117,252
2006 131,210
2012 145,336

References[edit]

  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (3 April 2014). "3218.0 Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2012–13". Retrieved 7 April 2014. 
  2. ^ Queensland State Archives, Search for Agency Details of Redland City Council:http://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/Search/AgencyDetails.aspx?AgencyId=1689#bookmarkDescription, Retrieved 7 April 2014
  3. ^ Biodiversity Strategy 2008–2012, Redland City Council, May 2008: http://indigiscapes.redland.qld.gov.au/PlansStrategies/Biodiversity/Pages/default.aspx, Retrieved on 5 February 2014
  4. ^ Judith Kerr, "Council guilty of illegal tree clearing", Redland City Bulletin, 26 July 2014: http://www.redlandcitybulletin.com.au/story/2441642/updated-council-guilty-of-illegal-tree-clearing/?cs=212, Retrieved 27 July 2014
  5. ^ Wildlife Bayside,"Council cleared protected coastal vegetation for individual ocean views?": http://wildlifebayside.wordpress.com/2014/04/09/why-has-qld-government-council-cleared-protected-coastal-vegetation-for-individual-ocean-views/, Retrieved 27 July 2014
  6. ^ Tony Moore, "State Government's go-slow on Koala Coast population figures", Brisbane Times, 9 December 2013: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/state-governments-goslow-on-koala-coast-population-figures-20131208-2yzaa.html#ixzz2vRMYAQmF, Retrieved on 9 March 2014
  7. ^ KAG comments on Draft EPBC Act Referral Guidelines for the Vulnerable Koala: http://www.koalagroup.asn.au/about-us-20/news-16/item/75-kag-comments-on-draft-epbc-act-referral-guidelines-for-the-vulnerable-koala, Retrieved on 13 March 2014
  8. ^ Moreton Bay (Ramsar Site) Overview, Australian Government, Department of The Environment : http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/wetlands/ramsardetails.pl?refcode=41 , Retrieved on 5 February 2014
  9. ^ Migratory waterbirds, Australian Government, Department of The Environment http://www.environment.gov.au/node/14284#flyway, Retrieved 13 February 2014
  10. ^ BAAM Ecological Consultants and FRC Environmental, "Expert Advice in Ecology (Marine and Terrestrial)and Coastal Processes for Input to the preparation of a Structure Plan and Development Scheme for Toondah Harbour and Weinam Creek Priority Development Areas":[1], Retrieved 5 May 2014
  11. ^ James Kelly, "Moreton Bay's grade falls in Healthy Waterways report", ABC News, 23 October 2013: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-23/moreton-bays-grade-falls-in-healthy-waterways-report/5040700, Retrieved on 8 March 2014
  12. ^ Judith Kerr, "Water report gives Redland 'F' for fail", Redland City Bulletin, 22 October 2014: http://www.redlandcitybulletin.com.au/story/2642893/waterway-report-fails-redland-again/?cs=212, Retrieved 22 October 2014
  13. ^ Judith Kerr, "Fire ants on the march in Redlands", Bayside Bulletin, 20 June 2013: http://www.baysidebulletin.com.au/story/1585809/fire-ants-on-the-march-in-redlands/, Retrieved on 9 March 2014
  14. ^ "Cleveland Lighthouse (former) (entry 15547)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 12 July 2013. 
  15. ^ .Id, Redland City Gross Product: http://economy.id.com.au/redland/gross-product , Retrieved 25 May 2014
  16. ^ Id, Redland City, Residents place of work by industry – All industries: http://economy.id.com.au/redland/residents-place-of-work-industry, Retrieved 25 May 2014
  17. ^ Queensland Historical Atlas, Mining: http://www.qhatlas.com.au/content/mining , Retrieved 7 April 2014
  18. ^ Courtney Trenwith, "Green jobs to replace mining work on Stradbroke: Bligh", Brisbane Times, 21 June 2010:http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/green-jobs-to-replace-mining-work-on-stradbroke-bligh-20100620-yozf.html , Retrieved 7 April 2014
  19. ^ Judith Kerr, "Straddie Act amended to allow 16 more years of mining", Bayside Bulletin, 21 November 2013: http://www.baysidebulletin.com.au/story/1923238/straddie-act-amended-to-allow-16-more-years-of-mining/ , Retrieved 7 April 2014
  20. ^ Richard Carew, "The government is lying about Stradbroke Island sand mining", Brisbane times, 15 July 2014: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/the-government-is-lying-about-stradbroke-island-sand-mining-20140715-zt7j0.html#ixzz37V0d1JWF, Retrieved 15 July 2014
  21. ^ Tony Moore, "Labor refers Sibelco sand mining company to CMC", Brisbane Times, 24 June 2014:http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/labor-refers-sibelco-sand-mining-company-to-cmc-20140624-zsjxa.html, retrieved 29 June 2014
  22. ^ "Native title dispute goes to court after Queensland mining lease extended", The Guardian, 6 June 2014: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/06/native-title-dispute-court-queensland-mining-lease-extended#start-of-comments, Retrieved 6 June 2014
  23. ^ Economic Development Act 2014 (Qld): https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/ACTS/2012/12AC043.pdf , Retrieved 1 April 2014
  24. ^ "Future of GJ Walter Park defines Toondah debate", Bayside Bulletin, 24 February 2014, http://www.baysidebulletin.com.au/story/2106953/future-of-gj-walter-park-defines-toondah-debate/?cs=213, Retrieved on 25 February 2014
  25. ^ Judith Kerr, "Parliament hears petition demanding new Toondah plan", Bayside Bulletin, 6 March 2014: http://www.baysidebulletin.com.au/story/2132334/parliament-hears-petition-demanding-new-toondah-plan/?cs=213, Retrieved on 8 March 2014
  26. ^ Toondah Harbour Priority Development Area Development Scheme May 2014: http://www.edq.qld.gov.au/resources/plan/pda/development-scheme-toondah-harbour.pdf, Retrieved 1 June 2014
  27. ^ Toondah Harbour Priority Development Area Development Scheme Submissions Report, May 2014: http://www.edq.qld.gov.au/resources/plan/pda/submissions-report-toondah-harbour.pdf, Retrieved 1 June 2014
  28. ^ Daniel Hurst, "Redland voters ponder change at the top", Brisbane Times, 26 April 2012: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/redland-voters-ponder-change-at-the-top-20120425-1xla3.html , Retrieved 21 February 2014
  29. ^ Judith Kerr, "Council poised to post $2m deficit", Bayside Bulletin, 19 May 2014: http://www.baysidebulletin.com.au/story/2292242/council-poised-to-post-2m-deficit/?cs=213, Retrieved 25 May 2014
  30. ^ Judith Kerr, "Mayor asks ratepayers ' how to improve deficit' ", Bayside Bulletin, 27 June 2014:http://www.baysidebulletin.com.au/story/2378059/mayor-asks-ratepayers-how-to-improve-deficit/?cs=213, Retrieved 29 June 2014
  31. ^ "Our Suburbs". Redland City Council. Retrieved 10 September 2013. 
  32. ^ "Redland (C)". Queensland Local Government Areas (LGA), 2011. Queensland Government. Retrieved 28 October 2013. 
  33. ^ Peter Davie et al, "Wild Guide To Moreton Bay", Queensland Museum, 1998, p 376
  34. ^ Joshua Peter Bell, "Moreton Bay And How To Fathom It", Queensland Newspapers, 1984, p 52
  35. ^ a b "Wood, Mr Ernest Gaden Western (Dick)". Re-Member Database. Queensland Parliament. Retrieved 18 June 2014. 

External links[edit]

Suburbs in Redland City, South East Queensland
Local government areas in South East Queensland

Coordinates: 27°35′35.86″S 153°15′59.11″E / 27.5932944°S 153.2664194°E / -27.5932944; 153.2664194

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