A PROPOSED public lagoon at Birkdale Community Precinct could become a major new recreation drawcard for Redlands Coast, with Redland City Council now progressing procurement plans to begin opening the site for staged construction from 2027.
The broader precinct proposal includes a 2000sqm lagoon, children’s pool and water play area, with Council estimating the attraction could draw almost 400,000 visitors a year.
Council last week progressed a Significant Contracting Plan to support the first phase of works across the 62-hectare Birkdale parkland, including roads, carparks, utilities, bulk earthworks and other infrastructure needed to provide safe, staged access.
Acting Mayor Julie Talty said the plan provided a clear procurement pathway for one of Council’s most significant community projects.
“Birkdale Community Precinct will transform the 62-hectare site into a major destination for conservation, heritage, recreation, sport, culture and community activity,” Cr Talty said.
“The first stage of works will focus on critical infrastructure … required to support safe and staged access across the site.”
The enabling works are expected to be delivered between 2027 and 2029, with Council planning a multi-stage market process including expressions of interest and tenders.
Champion Redlands Coast Chief Executive Cindy Corrie said the lagoon was a vital investment in liveability, giving residents a safe and accessible place to swim, exercise and gather.
“Water play has been a priority for our community for a long time,” Ms Corrie said.
“We have an incredible coastline, but much of it hasn’t been developed or activated in a way that makes it easy for families to get out on the water or enjoy water-based recreation.
“A public lagoon provides another option – somewhere families can swim, children can play, people can exercise and the whole community can come together.”
Ms Corrie said Champion Redlands Coast research showed the region had slipped in the Australian Liveability Index, with community amenity one of four key influences on where people chose to live.
“If we want people to choose Redlands, stay in Redlands and feel proud of Redlands, we need to invest in the things that make everyday life better,” she said.
“Liveability isn’t just about roads and houses. It’s about having places where families can spend time together, where kids can play, where people can be active and where our community can connect.
“The lagoon is exactly that sort of infrastructure.”
The lagoon is proposed alongside the Redland Whitewater Centre, intended to host Olympic and Paralympic canoe slalom events during the Brisbane 2032 Games.
Ms Corrie said the project should be judged not only as a Games venue but by the lasting facilities it could provide for the community.
“This is about creating something that our community can use long after the 2032 Games have come and gone,” she said.
Council said detailed procurement budgets and internal estimates would not be released while tender processes were active, but local contractors, suppliers and service providers would have opportunities to participate in future procurement processes.
