REDLANDS Coast families could soon be spending long summer days at a nearly 2000sqm swimming lagoon featuring children’s waterplay, a toddler splash zone, accessible beach-style entries and shaded areas.
Under detailed new plans released for the Birkdale Community Precinct, the lagoon beside the Redland Whitewater Centre is expected to become one of the precinct’s first major community attractions ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Redland City Council has given the project the green light, with construction expected to begin in mid-2027 and take about two years.
A two-storey pavilion, including food and beverage facilities and community spaces, will sit alongside the waterplay area.
Acting Mayor Julie Talty said the lagoon was shaped by community calls for a low-cost, inclusive and accessible family recreation destination.
“This lagoon, covering almost 2000 square metres, will be a flagship asset within the world-class Birkdale Community Precinct featuring children’s waterplay areas, a toddler splash zone, an accessible beach and ramp entries,” Cr Talty said.
“Community engagement through the precinct’s visioning and master planning process identified strong support for swimming, water play, adventure sport and family-focused recreation.”
Cr Talty said the lagoon would offer far more than a place to cool down.
“This investment will deliver a high-capacity, family-friendly place for residents and visitors to swim, play and spend time together,” she said.
“This will be the kind of place where families can spend a morning, an afternoon or a full day.
“Children will be able to take part in learn-to-swim lessons or waterplay, while parents and grandparents enjoy a few laps, take a refreshing dip or relax in the shade. That is what makes this lagoon so exciting – it will be an affordable and flexible community space for people of all ages and abilities.”
The facility could also host community activities including water safety programs and dive-in movie nights.
“It will help make the community precinct a place people return to again and again – not just for major events, but for simple, happy days out with family and friends on Redlands Coast,” Cr Talty said.
The lagoon is part of Council’s longer-term vision for the Birkdale Community Precinct as a recreation and tourism drawcard, with the neighbouring Whitewater Centre planned as a year-round facility for rafting, training and emergency services rescue programs.
“The Redland Whitewater Centre has been designed as a year-round recreation, tourism and training facility,” Cr Talty said.
Council’s next step is to seek expressions of interest from potential construction partners.
The Redland White-water Centre will be jointly funded by the Federal and State governments and delivered by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority.
