PRESSURE is mounting for urgent action on growing problems at Raby Bay Foreshore Park, with residents warning the community will not accept further delays at one of Redlands’ most heavily used public spaces.
According to a community survey conducted over the past two years, more than half of respondents visit the Masthead Drive park multiple times a week, placing heavy pressure on turf, drainage, pathways and amenities.
The survey was sponsored by Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell and developed in collaboration with local community groups, including the Raby Bay Residents Association.
Residents identified parking congestion, pedestrian safety, poor lighting, rubbish management and outdated infrastructure as major concerns, with strong support for a long-term master plan for the site.
Raby Bay Residents Association president Peter Brooks said the park’s popularity was both its strength and its challenge.
“It’s a heavily used park and people come from all over the broader region, not just the local community, which is great,” Mr Brooks said.
“But we need to make sure the park can handle that level of use now and into the future.”
Mr Brooks said the association had been working closely with Cr Mitchell and council officers to push for planning and upgrades.
“From the association’s point of view, we’ve been working with Councillor Mitchell and council to get some plans in place,” he said.
“It’s about maintenance and care, but also about what the park needs going forward to cater for the community.”
Cr Mitchell said park usage had reached “unprecedented levels” and that sitting on the issue for another one to two years was “unacceptable”.
“Far too many park users are now accessing a premier location that is not being properly resourced or planned for,” he said.
Cr Mitchell said improving Raby Bay Foreshore Park would be a key focus for him in 2026, alongside the Raby Bay Residents Association and other community stakeholders.
“The community and I have together done some great work across 2024 and 2025 in a research effort,” he said.
“The goal has been to provide valuable data in seeking action in cooperation with council, but we remain unsatisfied by the responses so far.”
Mr Brooks said residents and council were aligned in wanting a better outcome.
“We’re all pushing together and council has been very cooperative and working with us,” he said.
“This is about planning and investment, not just day-to-day maintenance.”
Cr Mitchell said he had briefed Mayor Jos Mitchell and fellow councillors during the current term and engaged with senior council officers in a bid to secure a whole-of-council approach.
“I am still hoping council comes back to me and the community soon with some positive actions in place that show sensible and sustainable action for 2026 and beyond,” he said.
“As yet, agreed results remain elusive.”
The councillor warned he may take the matter to a formal council meeting if progress was not made soon.
“I may need to call upon mayor and councillors’ support with a notice of motion in February or March in order to direct council that this regionally important park is properly resourced and planned for this year and beyond,” he said.
Immediate actions being requested of council include funding a drainage, turf and ground-condition study, commissioning a transport and parking safety study, bringing forward upgrade funding into the 2026–27 financial year, and committing to the delivery of a full Raby Bay Foreshore Park master plan.
“Raby Bay Foreshore Park is one of the Redlands’ most valued public spaces,” Cr Mitchell said.
“Our community has clearly identified the problems and the solutions.
“In 2026, council must act to improve maintenance, safety and long-term planning for this iconic park.”
