REDLAND City Council has released a streamlined economic roadmap designed to clearly signal where the city is heading over the next five years as it looks to translate long-term planning into practical outcomes for business, jobs and investment.
The Redlands Coast Economic Development Roadmap 2026–2031 will be considered by councillors next week as a companion document to the broader strategy, providing a simplified, public-facing overview of priorities, projects and opportunities shaping the region’s economic future.
Mayor Jos Mitchell said the roadmap reflects both the maturity of the local economy and the need to act decisively in a competitive South East Queensland market.
“The roadmap seeks to elevate the role of our activity centres, embrace the opportunities of a diversifying workforce, and position Redlands Coast to benefit from both local catalytic projects and broader south east Queensland momentum,” she said.
Council says the document is designed to provide clarity and direction not just internally, but for investors, industry and the wider community, outlining how Redlands intends to compete, grow and adapt in the years leading into the Olympic decade.
The roadmap places strong emphasis on the region’s distinct identity, highlighting Redlands as a coastal city with seven island communities, significant environmental assets and a growing population expected to reach 210,000 by 2046.
That growth, combined with more than 12,800 existing businesses, is seen as both an opportunity and a pressure point requiring careful planning and targeted investment.
A key focus is ensuring the local economy better captures the value of its existing workforce, with data showing more than half of employed residents leave the area each day for work.
Council sees this as a clear opportunity to attract industries that align with local skills and reduce reliance on external job markets.
The roadmap also reinforces the importance of supporting island economies, acknowledging the structural challenges created by distance, transport dependency and limited commercial space.
At the same time, it points to increasing demand for localised economic activity and the need for tailored solutions that support sustainable tourism, small business growth and improved self-sufficiency.
Tourism is identified as an area with significant upside, with the roadmap noting the region’s natural and cultural assets have not yet translated into a strong economic contribution.
Council is looking to address this by encouraging investment in accommodation, improving visitor infrastructure and strengthening destination development to increase both length of stay and spending.
A series of major projects is highlighted as central to delivering economic change, including the transformation of Capalaba into a new urban centre, the long-term revitalisation of Cleveland, upgrades at Weinam Creek and Toondah Harbour, and the delivery of the Birkdale Community Precinct ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Council says these projects will play a critical role in shaping how and where economic activity occurs, while also helping to build the city’s profile as a gateway to Moreton Bay and Minjerribah.
The roadmap also flags emerging opportunities beyond traditional sectors, including support for young people to access education and employment pathways locally, growth in the “silver economy” driven by an ageing population, and expansion of marine industries linked to the region’s geography.
A stronger focus on circular economy initiatives is also outlined, with council aiming to support local businesses to reduce costs, improve sustainability and build new supply chain opportunities through reuse and innovation.
Delivery of the roadmap will be supported through ongoing reporting and a new prosperity index designed to track economic performance across investment, jobs, innovation and community capability.
Council says the document ultimately serves as a clear statement of intent, positioning Redlands Coast as an “investment-ready” city while balancing growth with the lifestyle and environmental values that define the region.
“The next five years will shape the future of Redlands Coast,” Cr Mitchell said.
“With this roadmap, we are choosing to lean into the opportunities before us and build a city that is both uniquely Redlands and future-ready.”
