Redland City Council has voted to push ahead with plans for a long-awaited indoor sports stadium, backing further investigation into a preferred site and delivery model but not without debate over transparency, process and long-term strategy.
Councillors this morning supported a recommendation to progress a business case and market sounding process for a confidentially identified site, marking the next step in efforts to address a growing shortage of indoor sporting facilities across the city.
The decision follows months of work since a similar push failed to gain support last year.
Mayor Jos Mitchell confirmed the project’s earlier false start.
“The Mayoral Minute I brought forward at the time was not supported by the majority of councillors,” Mayor Mitchell said.
“A few months later, a report was brought back to Council, which was supported, and we have progressed the matter since then.”
Infrastructure and Operations General Manager Chris Isles said the current report stemmed from that later resolution.
“As I recall that meeting, the Mayor’s notice of motion was not supported by councillors, but a separate report was then adopted to progress the indoor stadium,” he said.
“This report is responding to that resolution.”
PUSH TO “GET ON WITH THE JOB”
Councillor Jason Colley, who moved the motion, said the project represented a long-overdue investment in community infrastructure.
“What an exciting opportunity we have in front of us today to continue progressing the delivery of an indoor sports facility for our community — something they have been crying out for for many years,” Cr Colley said.
He said the preferred site had emerged from three options considered in 2025 and could be progressed without displacing existing sporting clubs.
“We are now looking at a site that does not require the relocation of existing sporting clubs and has the capacity to support a broader precinct catering to multiple sports and recreational uses,” he said.
Cr Colley said the next stage would test delivery options, including council delivery, grants and partnerships.
“The reality is that infrastructure of this scale is not cheap,” he said.
“If we fail to progress today, the significant deficit in indoor courts across our city will only continue to grow.”
Councillor Peter Mitchell backed the move, saying council had reached a point where action was needed.
“It hasn’t been simple getting here, but that’s exactly why it’s now our responsibility to move forward,” he said.
“Our role is to make clear decisions — even in the face of challenges — and in this case, we have the chance to deliver not just a quality indoor sports precinct, but real value.”
CALLS FOR CAUTION AND FRAMEWORK
However, Councillor Paul Bishop warned against rushing toward a preferred site or delivery model without a clear strategic framework.
“Before we lock ourselves into any of those positions, it is important that we step back and ensure we are working from a clear, structured and transparent evidence base,” Cr Bishop said.
He raised concerns about limitations imposed by confidential elements of the report, saying they restricted open discussion on matters of “immense community importance”.
“It is on the grounds of transparency and strategy that I wish to speak today — noting that I cannot reference the confidential section,” he said.
Cr Bishop called for a detailed comparison of delivery options, including council-led development, public-private partnerships, staged delivery and regional collaborations.
“We must ask: what will deliver the greatest benefit to the greatest number of residents over the long term?” he said.
He also warned that combining different project elements too early could complicate decision-making.
“A decision like this will shape our city for decades to come.”
CONFUSION OVER PROCESS
There was also brief confusion during debate, with Councillor Paul Golle questioning whether the item was linked to the Mayor’s earlier Mayoral Minute.
“I must have missed a memo — that’s on me,” Cr Golle said.
“I thought this was a continuation of the Mayor’s Mayoral Minute regarding an indoor stadium.”
The exchange highlighted the complex path the project has taken through council.
NEXT STEPS
Under the endorsed motion, council officers will now undertake a detailed business case, including analysis of site suitability, costs, risks, commercial opportunities and potential delivery models.
The process will also include market sounding to gauge private sector interest.
Mayor Mitchell said the project had the potential to deliver wide-ranging benefits.
“Those benefits include social inclusion, sports development, meeting growing demand for sporting facilities, and the potential to attract international, national and local sporting competitions,” she said.
“It is a very exciting opportunity, and it would be fantastic to see this delivered.”
While the final form of the project remains unknown, councillors agreed the need to act.
“The time for talking is over,” Cr Colley said.
“Let’s take action and progress this today.”
