REDLAND’S football community is celebrating a major win after Redland City Council approved changes to the $3 billion Shoreline development at Redland Bay that will deliver a new football precinct years ahead of schedule.
The decision to build four soccer pitches came as a surprise to some councillors, including Tracey Huges, who thought Aussie Rules football ovals were the preferred option.
“When I first read the report, I was surprised to see it had changed to a football club, i.e. soccer,” Cr Huges said.
“We had definitely been presented previously with the option that they were looking at Aussie Rules.”
Under the approved amendments, developers Stockland will consolidate two previously planned sports parks into a single district facility featuring four rectangular fields, sports lighting, a purpose-built clubhouse and community amenities.
The upgrade will directly benefit Redland City Football Club, which has grown rapidly to more than 500 members since its formation in 2020 but is currently limited to one senior pitch, one junior pitch, and no clubhouse.
Club president Tim Eady said the new precinct would be transformational for the club.
“It’s extremely needed. We’ve gone from 70 members in our first season to more than 600 across juniors and seniors, but at Donald Rd we’re already at capacity with just one field and no lights,” Mr Eady said.
“Right now, we don’t have change rooms or a clubhouse – just shipping containers for storage and a canteen.
This development gives us what we really need not only to survive as a club, but to grow football at this end of the Redlands.”
Council’s Service Manager Planning Assessment, Mike Anderson, said the need for football facilities had been a driving force behind the negotiations.
“There is an established soccer club within the area that is already severely constrained by limited facilities,” Mr Anderson said.
“The revised proposal delivers four high-quality fields with sports lighting and a clubhouse to Football Queensland standards.
“Unlike the original approval, which would have required Council to later fund two separate clubhouses, this delivers a fully functional, fit-for-purpose facility much earlier in the development.”
The changes will bring forward delivery of the sports park by up to five years, with Stockland agreeing to deliver the entire $6.5 million facility by the 1500th home.
A Football Queensland spokesperson said the organisation was delighted to see the project approved.
“The finalised design will allow the facility to meet Football Queensland’s infrastructure guidelines, including universal design change rooms and four fully lit, irrigated and well-draining football fields,” the spokesperson said.
“This will significantly increase participation opportunities for footballers in the region while delivering a high-quality facility for the hosting of FQ competitions and events.
“We thank Redland City Council for their support of this project.”
Mr Eady said the Shoreline project would allow Redland City FC to move from a grassroots club to a regional football hub.
“To have four full-size fields with lighting and a clubhouse will open huge opportunities – from hosting major tournaments to building pathways like academies or even FQPL teams in the future,” he said.
“It will escalate the club from being a community-level team to one of the premier destinations for football across greater Brisbane.”
The club hopes to move into the new facility in time for the 2027 season.
Deputy Mayor Julie Talty said the decision was a step forward for the city’s south.
“Rather than having two smaller sporting areas on separate sites, this variation provides a larger, higher- quality facility more appropriate to the needs of our community,” Cr Talty said.
“The infrastructure agreement ensures not only will the playing fields be provided, but the required club facilities – including change rooms for male and female players – will be delivered at the same time. That facility, which is already needed in the south of Redland, will now be delivered years earlier.”
A Stockland spokesperson said the revised approval of the proposed sports facility location at Shoreline would enable multiple games to be held on the grounds simultaneously and a larger, single clubhouse to be built, providing residents and the wider community with access to active open space at Football Queensland standards.
“We are still early in the process and will soon commence the detailed design for the sports facility, with construction expected to start in the next 18-24 months.”
