PUBLIC discussion has resurfaced around the planned Birkdale White Water facility which is under review by the Queensland Government as one of multiple multimillion developments for the Brisbane Olympic Games.
Through print and social media, members of the community have expressed concerns with the purpose of the build after the games and the best use of the costs required to construct the centre, whilst others have supported the promised jobs and development for the local area during construction.
PROS: OLYMPIC FACILITY
Point Lookout Surf Life Saving club captain, 2023 Queensland lifesaver of the year and 2024 local hero Gavin Kugler, 49, of Victoria Point believes a white-water Olympic venue at Birkdale represents a huge opportunity to train emergency services workers in swift water rescue and recovery.
Gavin said there was a shortage of swift water training facilities in the south Pacific and he believed the venue currently being considered for Birkdale would fill that void.
“As surf lifesavers, all our training is done in the ocean. But for the past few years, we have been called on to help and to assist emergency service workers during floods and natural disasters. And let’s face it there have been a lot of floods,” Gavin said.
Gavin said challenges were in manoeuvring inflatable rescue boats in fast moving water in streets and in dangerous situations.
“This is foreign territory to most of us, so to be able to be trained in a contained and controlled environment would be enormously beneficial. And that applies to police, fire, SES and surf lifesaving people,” Gavin said.
Gavin said he was also involved in the 2022 Brisbane floods and faced challenges of dodging cars and power lines.
“It is heart breaking to see the devastation caused by floods and we are sorely in need of specific training to better manage these events,” he said.
“If the white water venue goes ahead, the environment could be changed to suit various areas and that would help us when dealing with flooding and cyclones.”
“I also think it would bring a lot of tourists to the area.”
Gavin said that there were 300,000 drowning deaths each year, making this the third leading cause of unintentional injury worldwide.
He said that in October 2023, there was a drowning at Frenchman’s Beach, North Stradbroke Island. He said he was also pleased to report the successful recovery of a seven-year-old who had been swept onto the rocks off the gorge walk at Point Lookout.
“She was revived and has made a full recovery. Now that’s pretty special,” he said.
CONS: OLYMPIC FACILITY
On the other hand, CARP (Community Alliance for Responsible Planning) spokesperson, Lavinia Wood said that it was good to see the review taking place.
“We were absolutely thrilled that the Member for Capalaba, Don Brown, stepped up and said that it should go to Penrith,” Ms Wood said.
Ms Wood said that if the canoe slalom is approved for the 2032 Olympics, there is a strong suggestion that it could be moved to the Penrith Whitewater Stadium (built for the 2000 Olympics) in a similar manner to Los Angeles plan to move the 2028 event to Oklahoma City.
In May 2023, Ms Wood, on behalf of CARP, wrote a submission to the Senate Committee Inquiry into Australia’s preparedness to host the Games, as it pertains to the proposed whitewater facility and said that the Redlands community did not ask for it nor want it.
“The proposed new $100 million Redlands Whitewater Stadium is … unnecessary and an irresponsible waste of taxpayer funds – particularly given the escalating cost of living and failing medical services,” she wrote.
“The Birkdale land’s natural values and wildlife, together with its fascinating and unique Aboriginal Cultural and European Heritage values should take precedence over a whitewater stadium.
“The biggest threat to the native vegetation on the site is a change in the underground water … being in an estuarine area [it is] a delicate balance between freshwater and marine.”
After the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Redland Whitewater Centre is intended to form part of the Redland Resilience Training Centre to train emergency service agencies from across the world.
What are your thoughts on the proposed Centre and future Birkdale Community Precinct plans? Scan the QR (above) code and let our team know.
FAST FACTS
- Mayor Karen Williams announced the Redland’s commitment in 2021
- The proposed centre will replace the Birkdale Community Precinct on Old Cleveland Road East
- The Redland Whitewater Centre will have capacity for 8,000 spectator seats.
